The topic explained
UNIT 3
FunnyStories.com: what kinds of story are there?
If you’re looking for funny stories, this is the site for you, full of true, real-life stories posted by readers.
- You can search under these headings:
- Coincidences: stories about strange, unexpected events and connections
- Misunderstandings: stories about people getting the wrong idea
- Unintended meanings: stories about saying things that aren’t quite what you mean
- To give you a quick taste, here are three of our recent favourites.
Read each story and its picture, then decide which heading it belongs under.
Story A: a cake for Mr Aziz
Story B: a face on the train
Story C: patting the wrong man
- You can post your own story by clicking the button below.
Period 1 / Reading and comprehension
Which heading fits each story?
Words and phrases from the stories
Now look closely at the words and phrases the stories use.
Using the words in sentences
1 While he was away, he ___ with his family by email.
2 Instead of stopping for a coffee, I went ___ home.
3 I remember she ___ the name of a book yesterday, but I can’t remember the title.
4 He looks older than he is because he’s almost completely ___.
5 I’ve no idea who he was. He was just a ___.
6 While I was ___ my friend’s cat, it bit me.
7 I see him every day, but he isn’t a friend of mine. He’s just a ___.
8 It’s hard to speak another language without making a single ___.
Phrasal verbs from the stories
1 I didn’t realise who she was at first, but we discovered that we’d been at school together.
I didn’t realise who she was at first, but it _ _ that we’d been at school together.
2 He was visiting the town for a few days, so I let him stay in my flat.
He was visiting the town for a few days, so I _ him _ in my flat.
3 We hadn’t seen each other for years, so having a meal together was a good chance to talk about news and events.
We hadn’t seen each other for years, so having a meal together was a good chance to _ _ with each other.
Which story is the funniest?
Finally, give your own opinion about the three stories.
Coincidences: has it happened to you?
Next comes a discussion, then a text about strange coincidences.
Period 2 / Reading and comprehension
Why do strange coincidences happen?
Now read the text and see which opinion the writer supports.
| People in the room | Chance of two sharing a birthday |
|---|---|
| 23 people | 50% |
| 48 people | 95% |
Words and phrases from the text
Check what the text says
1 According to the writer what do people mean when they say ‘It’s a small world.’?
A We can communicate easily with people who are far away.
B Strange events happen more often than you might expect.
C People’s lives are more connected than they used to be.
2 Why does the writer think some people don’t want to believe scientific explanations for strange coincidences?
A They prefer a more exciting explanation.
B They don’t trust what scientists say.
C They misunderstand scientific ideas.
3 If there are 30 people in a room, what is the probability that two of them have the same birthday?
A 55% or more
B 80% or more
C 50% or less
4 What is the writer’s conclusion about coincidences?
A They probably have some meaning.
B They don’t happen as often as we think.
C They are not really surprising at all.
5 What does the phrase the latter (line 9) refer to?
A finding unexpected connections
B events that happen unexpectedly
C seemingly random things