Emma arrived at the airport in Barcelona early in the morning. This was her first trip to Spain, and she was very excited. She wanted to explore the city and take many photos. But first, she needed a local SIM card for her phone. Her mobile data from home was too expensive to use abroad. Emma walked through the airport looking for a phone shop. She found a small shop near the exit with a big sign that said 'SIM Cards'. Emma entered the shop and saw a young man behind the counter. 'Good morning! Can I help you?' he asked in English. 'Yes, please. I need a SIM card with data,' Emma replied. 'How long will you stay in Spain?' the man asked. 'Two weeks,' Emma said. 'I have a perfect plan for you,' the man said with a smile. He showed her three different options on a paper. The first plan had five gigabytes of data and cost fifteen euros. The second plan had ten gigabytes and cost twenty-five euros. The third plan offered unlimited data for forty euros. Emma thought about it carefully. She liked to post photos on social media every day. She also wanted to use maps to find her way around the city. 'I think ten gigabytes will be enough,' Emma decided. 'Good choice,' the man said. 'Can I see your passport, please?' Emma took her passport out of her bag and gave it to him. The man typed her information into the computer. 'Do you want to keep your phone number?' he asked. 'No, a new Spanish number is fine,' Emma answered. The man opened a small box and took out a new SIM card. 'Your new number is on this paper,' he said. 'Now I will put the SIM card in your phone.' Emma gave him her phone. The man used a small tool to open the SIM card slot. He carefully put the new SIM card inside. 'Please wait a moment. The phone needs to restart,' he explained. Emma watched the phone screen turn off and then on again. After a minute, the phone showed a signal. 'It is working now,' the man said happily. 'Let me test the internet for you.' He opened the browser and loaded a website. 'Everything works perfectly,' he confirmed. 'That will be twenty-five euros, please.' Emma paid with her credit card. 'Here is your receipt,' the man said. 'The data plan is valid for thirty days.' 'Thank you so much!' Emma said with a big smile. 'Have a wonderful trip in Spain,' the man replied. Emma left the shop feeling very happy. She immediately opened her phone and sent a message to her family. 'I arrived safely! I have a Spanish phone number now!' Her mother replied quickly: 'Great news! Send us pictures!' Emma smiled and took a taxi to her hotel. During the ride, she used the maps app to see her route. The streets of Barcelona looked beautiful in the morning sun. Emma recorded a short video through the taxi window. She posted it immediately on social media. 'Barcelona is amazing!' she wrote under the video. The taxi arrived at the hotel in the city center. Emma paid the driver using her phone to check the correct amount. She was glad that buying the SIM card was so easy. Now she could share her whole adventure with everyone back home.
English Story (A2)Buying a SIM Card Abroad
This A2 English story is designed for elementarys learning English. It includes simple vocabulary and short sentences to help you improve your reading and listening skills. Click any word to see translations and hear pronunciation.
About this story
Emma arrives in Barcelona for her first trip to Spain and needs a local SIM card for her phone. She finds a shop at the airport, chooses a data plan, and gets her new SIM card installed. With mobile internet working, she can use maps, take photos, and share her adventure with her family.
Translations in English
Linked wordUnderlined wordOther words
Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
Why did Emma need a local SIM card?
2
Which data plan did Emma choose?
3
What did the shop worker ask Emma to show him?
4
What was the first thing Emma did after the SIM card started working?
Vocabulary
30 words from this story
