Approximately A2 · 105 words

The Lost Ticket

A traveler cannot find a train ticket. Read how another passenger helps just in time.

Read at your own pace. Use the English meanings below, then answer the questions. The level is a teaching guide, not an assessment. Original stories include some British spellings and settings.

A travel ticket

The story

Last summer I travelled to another city by train.

I arrived at the station forty minutes early.

I bought a coffee and sat down to wait.

When the train came, I looked for my ticket.

It was not in my pocket. It was not in my bag.

I looked everywhere, but I could not find it.

The train was leaving in five minutes and I was worried.

Then a woman near me said, "Is this yours?"

She was holding my ticket. It had fallen under her seat.

I thanked her and ran to the platform.

I got on the train with one minute to spare.

English meanings

Save words to your review deck.

pocket
A small cloth space in clothing for carrying things.
platform
The area beside a railway track where people get on a train.
to spare
Left over after what is needed; extra time here.

Check your understanding

Choose an answer for each question, then open its explanation. You can try again as often as you like.

1. How early did the traveler reach the station?
Show answer and story evidence

Forty minutes

Forty minutes is the arrival margin; the shorter times come later. Read the guide

The story says: “I arrived at the station forty minutes early.”

2. Where had the ticket fallen?
Show answer and story evidence

Under the woman's seat

The woman was holding the ticket that had fallen under her seat. Read the guide

The story says: “She was holding my ticket. It had fallen under her seat.”

3. How much time was left when the traveler got on?
Show answer and story evidence

One minute

One minute to spare means one minute remained before departure. Read the guide

The story says: “I got on the train with one minute to spare.”