Penguin Readers Level 4: Washington Square (ELT Graded Reader)

Penguin Readers is a series designed for English language learners, providing graded reading material for those studying English as a foreign language. The series combines adapted texts with fresh illustrations and language exercises, and comes with guidance for accessing additional online resources. It spans a diverse range of titles, from beloved classics to contemporary fiction and engaging non-fiction, offering exposure to renowned authors and captivating narratives. The collection is structured across eight proficiency levels, aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Each book includes exercises focused on grammar, vocabulary, and exam strategies, with questions integrated to enhance comprehension and vocabulary development before, during, and after reading. "Washington Square" is classified as a Level 4 Reader, correlating to an A2+ standard in the CEFR system. Its text contains sentences of moderate complexity, featuring up to three clauses and encompassing sophisticated elements such as present perfect simple tense, passive voice, phrasal verbs, and basic relative clauses. Illustrations consistently support the narrative. The story follows Catherine Sloper, whose wealth overshadows her lack of beauty and wit. Residing in New York with her father, the esteemed Dr. Austin Sloper, Catherine encounters a handsome man named Maurice Townsend, who seeks her hand in marriage. The uncertainty lingers—does Maurice truly love Catherine, or is he solely interested in her fortune? Dr. Sloper is confident that he knows the truth.