The art studio was bustling on the first day of spring. Sunlight streamed through the open windows, illuminating a table where a collection of objects was arranged in a stable composition, ready to be painted. One student, new to painting, felt overwhelmed with stress. He gripped his brush tightly and tried to copy the steady curve of a blue vase, but his hand moved jerkily, resulting in a wobbly stroke. He sighed, feeling stupid, and crumpled his paper in frustration. He glanced at the paintings hanging by strings on the walls, each one a testament to the status and skill of its creator. He wished he could just strike his brush against the canvas and magically produce a masterpiece. His teacher, a kind woman with a strong but calming presence, placed a hand on his shoulder. ‘Art takes time,’ she said gently. ‘Look.’ She pointed to a perfect square of blue painted on his paper from a previous exercise. ‘You already understand color and form.’ ‘Submit to the process, be patient, and your painting will blossom like the flowers on the street corner.’
This exercise aims to help you comprehend English without mental translation to your native language. It also helps improve your reading speed.
For beginners: Start at 150-250 words per minute (WPM) and gradually increase as you become comfortable.
For advanced learners: Challenge yourself with speeds of 300-400 WPM or higher to further enhance your reading skills.
Adjust the speed as needed and remember: Understanding is just as important as speed!
