A1 Level English Stories with Vocabulary (PDF)

I remember when I first started teaching English, I saw how excited my students were when they read their first story in English. Their faces would light up as they understood each word and connected it to the world around them. It was such a rewarding experience, and I hope that you’ll feel the same way as you dive into these A1-level English stories.

In these stories, you’ll explore the lives of fascinating people like Nikola Tesla, important historical events like the founding of the USA, and the mysteries of the Pyramids of Egypt.

You can even download these stories as a PDF to study at your own pace, whenever and wherever you like. I’m excited to be part of your learning journey, and I’m sure you’ll have fun discovering new stories and expanding your English skills!

A1 Level English Stories

Story 1: The Life of Nikola Tesla

Nikola Tesla was a great inventor. He was born in 1856 in a small village in Croatia. His father was a priest, and his mother was very intelligent. She did not go to school, but she could create small tools and machines. Tesla loved science and electricity from a young age. As a boy, he watched storms and thought about how electricity worked. He was very curious and asked many questions.

Tesla went to school in Austria and studied engineering. He was a brilliant student and worked very hard. He read many books and learned many languages. He could speak English, French, German, and several other languages. After studying in Europe, he moved to the United States to work with Thomas Edison.

In America, Tesla worked for Thomas Edison. Edison was also an inventor and had many ideas about electricity. Tesla had different ideas. He believed alternating current (AC) was better than direct current (DC), but Edison did not agree. Edison used DC, and he wanted to prove that AC was dangerous. One day, Tesla left Edison’s company and started working alone. He found people to support him, and he continued his experiments.

Tesla invented many things. He made the alternating current (AC) system, which helps bring electricity to homes and cities. His work made it possible to use electricity safely and efficiently. He also created the Tesla coil, which helped scientists understand wireless electricity. But many people did not believe in Tesla. Some businessmen stole his ideas and took credit for his work. Tesla wanted free energy for everyone, but others wanted to sell electricity for money. Tesla was not rich, but he kept working. He believed that science should help people, not just make money.

Later, Tesla made radio waves before Marconi. He also invented wireless electricity, but his project was stopped because of financial problems. Tesla had many great ideas, but he did not get enough support. He lived in a small hotel room and continued his work until he was very old. Tesla died alone in 1943, but today, people remember him as a great scientist. His ideas changed the world, and many of his inventions are still used today.

Tesla’s name is now famous. Many people study his work, and he is known as one of the greatest inventors in history. His dream of free energy is still an inspiration for scientists today.

Vocabulary 1: The Life of Nikola Tesla

Word	Meaning
Inventor	A person who creates new devices or machines
Priest	A religious leader
Engineering	The work of designing and building machines or structures
Alternating Current (AC)	A type of electrical current that reverses direction regularly
Direct Current (DC)	A type of electrical current that flows in one direction
Coil	A wire wound in a spiral shape
Wireless	Without wires or cables
Financial	Related to money or finance
Inspiration	A feeling of motivation or creativity
Experiment	A scientific test to discover something

Story 2: The Story of the USA

A long time ago, many Native American tribes lived in America. They hunted animals, grew food, and lived in small villages. They had their own languages and traditions. Some tribes lived near rivers, while others lived in forests or mountains. They lived in harmony with nature and respected the land.

In 1492, a man named Christopher Columbus came to America. He was from Spain and was looking for a way to go to India. He thought he found a new route, but he was wrong. He reached the Americas instead. After Columbus, many people from Europe came. They built houses, farms, and towns. But they also took land from Native Americans. Many Native Americans suffered because of the new settlers. Some died from diseases brought by the Europeans, and others lost their homes and land.

In the 1600s and 1700s, thirteen colonies were created. These colonies were controlled by England. People in the colonies worked hard, but they did not have freedom. They had to follow England’s rules and pay high taxes. Many people did not like this. They wanted to be independent. In 1776, the colonies decided to break away from England. They wrote the Declaration of Independence, and a war started. This war was called the American Revolution.

The colonies fought against England, and in the end, they won. They made a new country called the United States of America. The first president was George Washington. The new country had many challenges, but it grew quickly. Many people moved there from different countries. They built railroads, cities, and schools. The USA became a land of opportunity.

In the 1800s, there was a big problem in America. Some people wanted slavery to continue, but others wanted to end it. This caused a great war, called the Civil War. The war lasted from 1861 to 1865. In the end, slavery ended, and all people were free. It was a difficult time, but the country became stronger.

Later, the USA became one of the strongest countries in the world. It developed new technologies and became an important global power. Today, the USA is a diverse country with people from all over the world. It has a rich history and continues to grow.

Story 2: The Story of the USA

Word	Meaning
Tribe	A group of people who share a common culture or language
Settler	A person who moves to a new area to live
Colony	A country or area controlled by a foreign nation
Independence	Freedom from control by another country
Revolution	A fight to change the government or political system
Declaration	A formal statement of independence or intent
Slavery	The system of owning people and forcing them to work without pay
Civil War	A war between groups from the same country
Opportunity	A chance to do something or achieve success
Diverse	Containing people or things from many different backgrounds

Story 3: The Pyramids of Egypt

A long time ago, Egypt was a great kingdom. It had powerful kings called pharaohs. The pharaohs ruled over the people and controlled the land. The Egyptians believed that after a pharaoh died, he would go to another world. To prepare for this, they built pyramids as tombs for their kings.

The pyramids were very big and made of stone. The biggest one is the Great Pyramid of Giza. It was built for Pharaoh Khufu. Many workers and slaves built it. They carried heavy stones and worked in the hot sun. It took many years to finish a pyramid. Historians believe that thousands of workers helped to build the pyramids, and they followed a strict plan.

Inside the pyramids, there were many treasures. The Egyptians believed in life after death, so they put gold, jewelry, food, and clothes inside the tombs. They also placed statues and furniture to help the pharaoh in the afterlife. The walls of the pyramids had beautiful paintings that told stories about the king and his journey to the next world.

The pyramids were also protected. The Egyptians did not want thieves to steal the treasures inside. They built secret doors and traps to stop anyone from entering. But over time, many tombs were robbed, and some treasures were lost. However, some tombs, like the tomb of King Tutankhamun, were discovered with many riches inside.

Today, people visit the pyramids to learn about history. The pyramids are one of the Seven Wonders of the World. They show how smart and strong the ancient Egyptians were. Scientists and historians still study the pyramids to learn more about how they were built.

The pyramids are a symbol of Egypt and an important part of human history. They remind us of the skills and intelligence of the people who lived thousands of years ago. Even today, people are amazed by the beauty and mystery of the pyramids.

Story 3: The Pyramids of Egypt

Word	Meaning
Pharaoh	A ruler in ancient Egypt
Tomb	A place where a dead person is buried
Pyramid	A large, triangular structure used as a tomb in ancient Egypt
Treasures	Valuable items like gold, jewelry, or artwork
Afterlife	The life believed to come after death
Statue	A sculpture of a person or animal
Trap	A device used to catch or stop something
Robbery	The act of stealing something from a person or place
Wonder	Something amazing or surprising
Archaeologist	A scientist who studies ancient cultures through excavation