ReadOasis Step 3 All the cities of Greece were in grave danger. A vast army, led by the great King of Persia, was coming from the east. It was moving along the sea, and in a few days, this army would be ready to attack. The King of Persia... Read more
Yoshitoshi, Master of Block Prints
B1-IntermediateBNC LevelsCEFR LevelsProtectedStep 2StoriesTimes 1
ReadOasis Step 2 In Japan, there is a special kind of painting called "ukiyo-e." The word literally means "pictures of the floating world." Ukiyo-e are woodblock prints. This form of art is widely known through the paintings of Hokusai, especially his famous "Great Wave." Many ukiyo-e artists left their... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 You are sitting in a nice restaurant. You are about to enjoy an expensive meal with a friend. But then a man sitting at the table next to you starts smoking. To make matters worse, he blows smoke in your face. Why? He doesn't want to... Read more
A Brief History of Stephen Hawking
B1-IntermediateBNC LevelsCEFR LevelsListen!ProtectedStep 2StoriesTimes 0
ReadOasis Step 2 Stephen Hawking is one of the world's leading theoretical physicists. (A physicist studies the relationship between matter and energy in space and time.) Hawking has written many science books for non-scientists. His most famous book is called "A Brief History of Time." It has sold over... Read more
ET and Intelligent Life
ArtsB3-Intermediate++BNC LevelsCEFR LevelsListen!ProtectedSciencesStep 4Stories 2
ReadOasis Step 4 The film ET charmed the hearts of millions of children and adults. It was humorous and compelling, and it told an inspiring story about love and companionship. In one scene, ET points his finger to the sky, and he says, "ET phone home." This simple phrase... Read more
ReadOasis Step 1(Part 1) A thousand years ago, boys and girls did not learn to read. Books were very hard to find, and only a few men could read them. Each book was written with a pen or a brush. The pictures were painted by hand, and some of... Read more
A Definition of Health (Step 2)
B1-IntermediateBNC LevelsCEFR LevelsListen!ProtectedSciencesStep 2Stories 0
ReadOasis Step 2 A doctor was examining a patient. He summed up his diagnosis like this: "You're in good health. You'll live to be 80." The patient answered, "But doctor, I am 80 right now." The doctor replied, "See, what did I tell you?" Health can refer to many... Read more
By Phillip WiseReadOasis Step 1 Philosophy is a way of thinking about the world, the universe, and people. Philosophy is abstract. It’s about ideas and thoughts, such as love, beauty, or truth. But philosophy also deals with the real world. Ethics is a part of philosophy, dealing with good and... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 What is the Golden Rule? Some people say, "If you have the gold, you make the rules!" But seriously, the Golden Rule is a guide for behavior that we find in almost all cultures, religions, and moral systems. This rule has two basic forms. A negative... Read more
By Cana Short ReadOasis Step 3 Now, you might be wondering, “How can this be a letter from Socrates, if Socrates never wrote anything?” It is true that I do not write much, at least not for others. But I am having my student Plato write this letter for... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2(Part 1) The bell rang. Jim’s things were already in his red book bag, which looked brown under the white lights of the classroom. Zip! Zip! He closed the bag. He stood up and let out a sigh, “Ahhhh.” It was loud enough that other students and... Read more
Making Work Fun: The Levity Effect (Step 3)
B1-IntermediateBizBNC LevelsCEFR LevelsPublicStep 3StoriesTop Picks 2
ReadOasis Step 3 A manager at a company was interviewing a job candidate. The manager said, “We need a very responsible person for this job. We need someone who can take charge.” The candidate’s eyes lit up, and he responded with great enthusiasm. “Sir, your search ends here! I’m... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) A library is a building full of treasures. We keep these treasures in books. Books give us knowledge, entertainment, laughter, pleasure, new information, and power to change our lives. If reading is so important, how can we help people read more? Libraries and schools... Read more
By Andrew Lang ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) A long time ago, there was a poor woman who had a daughter and a stepdaughter. The daughter always got everything she asked for. She could do anything she wanted to do. But the poor stepdaughter was always in trouble. Every... Read more
By Charles Dickens ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) Once upon a time, a good many years ago, there was a traveller, and he set out upon a journey. It was a wonderful journey, and it was to seem very long when he began it and very short when he... Read more
Adapted from The Little Match Girl By Hans Christian Andersen ReadOasis Step 2 The air was cold. Snow was falling in the dark sky. It was the last night of the year. A little girl was walking in the street. Her name was Dawn. She wore no hat, and... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 A man was trying to understand the nature of time. In prayer, he asked God, "How long is a million years to you?" God answered, "A million years is like a minute." Then the man asked this. "God, how much is a million dollars to you?"... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2(Part 1) Hemingway Collection, Kennedy Presidential Museum “A writer is always alone, always an outsider," Ernest Hemingway said. Hemingway created many characters in his books. Some people said that Hemingway was his own best creation. Ernest Hemingway was born in 1891. He grew up in Oak Park,... Read more
Experience Flow
B1-IntermediateBNC LevelsCEFR LevelsCoursesListen!ProtectedSciencesSports Step 2AStep 2StoriesTop Picks 0
ReadOasis Step 2 Shaun White is a world famous snowboarder. Watch him slide down the pipe in slow motion. He goes up one side and flies into the air at an extreme height. Time stands still. Coming down, he gains speed and lands smoothly. Then he rises to the... Read more
The Boy Who Cried Wolf (Step 1)
A2-Beginner+BNC LevelsCEFR LevelsProtectedStep 1StoriesStoryTop Picks 6
By Aesop ReadOasis Step 1 (Part 1) Illustration by Milo Winter The Boy was sleepy. It was not interesting staying in the fields all day and watching sheep. The sheep always did the same thing. They ate grass. They walked around, and they ate more grass. After that, they... Read more