A selection of twelve thematically-paired stories by a wide range of authors including Oscar Wilde, Ernest Hemingway, Arthur C. Clarke, Kate Chopin, Maeve Binchy, Penelope Lively, Richard Hughes and Ed McBain. The stories are presented in six highly contemporary themes – children, love, mystery, murder, money, war – and accompanied by fascinating articles from English-language newspapers and news magazines. Designed to help students progress from intermediate to advanced level, this book encourages class discussion and enables students to improve their ability to put forward an argument in English. The graded chapters help students keep track of the progress they make.