B1 Level – Reading Comprehension

Leo is a painter who has a big problem. He has never felt so uninspired. For a whole year, he hasn’t painted anything that he truly loves. He has just finished a large canvas, but he feels it's a complete failure. A week ago, he packed his bags, left his small town, and moved to the busy, vibrant city of Valencia.

"I need a change," he told his best friend. "Maybe something in this city will inspire me."

He has already found a small, cozy apartment near a beautiful park. He arrived on a Thursday, and by Friday morning, he had already decided to explore the old part of the city. He walked down narrow streets, looking at the colorful buildings. He has just seen a magnificent cathedral when he noticed an old man sitting on a bench. The old man was drawing in a small sketchbook. Leo felt curious.

Leo walked over and said, "Excuse me, that's a beautiful drawing."

The old man smiled. "Thank you. I have been drawing here for forty years."

"Wow," said Leo. "I have just moved here. I am an artist, but I haven't had any inspiration for a long time."

The old man, whose name was Antonio, looked at him kindly. "Inspiration is everywhere. You just have to look."

Antonio has lived in Valencia his whole life. He told Leo stories about the city's past. He talked about the time he saw the first cinema open and the many festivals he has attended. "I have always believed that the best art comes from personal experiences," Antonio said. "What have you done in this city so far?"

Leo thought for a moment. "Well, I have already found an apartment. I have walked around the city a little. I haven't been to the beach yet. And I have just met you!"

Antonio laughed. "You see? You have already started your adventure. You haven’t had time to paint yet, so don't worry! You have just arrived."

The next day, Leo met Antonio at the same park. This time, Antonio brought a friend, a woman named Sofia. Sofia has lived in a different city for ten years, but she has recently come back to Valencia. She is a writer and she told Leo, "I have never felt so creative since I came back. The stories are all around me."

Over the next few weeks, Leo spent a lot of time with Antonio and Sofia. They showed him their favorite places. They ate the best paella he has ever tasted. He has not felt so happy in a long time. He didn’t even have time to think about his art.

One day, Leo returned to his apartment. The white canvas was still waiting. But now, it didn't seem so empty. He thought about the laughter he has shared with his new friends. He thought about the colors of the buildings and the taste of the food. He has never had an experience like this before.

He picked up his paintbrush. He has never felt so ready to paint. On the canvas, he started to paint a portrait of Antonio and Sofia laughing in the park. The painting was full of life and color. He has finally found his inspiration, not in a perfect scene, but in the people he has just met.