Stories (Part 1) | Intermediate Vocabulary

stories English vocabulary lesson cover

Telling Stories in English

Storytelling is an art form that goes all the way back to the beginning of mankind. In this topic, learn some of the phrases that can help you be a storyteller.

Learn 15 words for storytelling

Use these flashcards to learn the meaning of the terms for this unit. You can also practice the pronunciation by listening to the audio on each card.

Practice Exercises for Story Telling Vocabulary

Exercise 1 – Play this memory game to review the vocabulary

Match the words to the pictures. Sound on (🔊) if you want to hear the pronunciation of the vocabulary terms


Exercise 2 – Practice using the vocabulary in context

Exercise 3 – Speaking activity

To do this activity, you must use the Google Chrome web browser. You also must give permission to use your microphone.


Exercise 1

Match the words to the pictures. Sound on (🔊) if you want to hear the pronunciation of the vocabulary terms


Exercise 2

Exercise 3

To do this activity, you must use the Google Chrome web browser. You also must give permission to use your microphone.


Vocabulary Quiz

Let us review the vocabulary terms for storytelling

TermPart of speechDefinition
according toprepositionas stated, reported, or recorded by 
admitverbto say that you accept or do not deny the truth of something
after allphrasein spite of any indications or expectations to the contrary
Are you kidding?/You’re kidding!phrasea phrase you ask someone to know if they are saying something to cause laughter
believe it or notphrasea phrase used to express something that is surprising but true
call up (sb) or call (sb) upphrasal verbto make a telephone call to (someone)
catch up with sbphrasal verbto meet with a person after a long time and provide the latest information
complainverbto say or write that you are unhappy or that you do not like something
convinceverbto try to make someone believe something
excusenouna reason or explanation put forward to defend or justify a fault or offense
jokeverbsomething said or done to cause laughter
keep a/sth secretphraseto hide information from someone
once upon a timephraseused at the beginning of a story to express that the story happened at some point in the past
refuseverbto say no, to deny something
remindverbcause (someone) to remember someone or something.