Stories Learning to Swim
A1 Suitable for KS4 and above Literary Fiction Courage

Learning to Swim

0 downloads 05 Apr 2026

Mariam is afraid of water, so she starts with putting her face in a bowl, then joins a pool class.

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About this story

A KS4/5 A1 Short story + 8 simple comprehension exercises.

Learning to Swim

A1

Mariam is 16. She cannot swim. She is afraid of water in her nose. Her friend says, “Start small.” At home, Mariam fills a bowl with water. She puts her face in for two seconds. She does this ten times. Then she goes to a pool. The water is shallow. She holds the side. After one month, she swims five metres. She still feels afraid — but she does it anyway.

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