What is the main idea of the story?

Hana releases a long-reserved seat and turns waiting for one connection into room for two. (Moving the bag welcomes Mr. León, and the ending brings both the new acquaintance and cousin together.)

Why does Mr. León remain standing at first?

Hana's bag makes the empty half appear reserved for someone else. (The story pairs his look at the apparently saved place with his choice not to sit.)

What does “shift” mean in the first paragraph?

a scheduled period of work (The cousin's work period runs late, preventing the planned meeting.)

Who finally arrives on the last Thursday?

Hana's cousin (The final sentence says Mr. León takes one place and Hana's cousin takes the other.)

A Seat by the Fountain: Level 2 Reading Comprehension Questions

Every Thursday, Hana placed her bag on the bench beside the fountain. She was saving the seat for her cousin, who had promised to meet her after work. For three weeks, the cousin's shift ran late, but Hana kept waiting.

Across the path, Mr. León sat alone on a low wall. He had recently moved nearby and came to hear people talk, though he knew no one. When rain began, the wall became wet. He looked at the empty half of Hana's bench and remained standing.

Hana moved her bag aside. “You can sit here until my cousin comes,” she said. Mr. León smiled and thanked her. They talked about the neighborhood until the rain stopped. The next Thursday, Hana saved no seat, yet both places beside her filled: one by Mr. León and one, at last, by her cousin.

Comprehension questions