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28 Aug 2026
A page of the book "Antiquities of Athens," stamped by a library, is shown on July 30, 2026, after its return in Kiama, Australia, an estimated 150 years late. Catherine Taylor/AP
150-Year Overdue Library Book Returned in Australia
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) A book was hidden inside a old fireplace for many years.
b) A boy lost his library book on a bus in Sydney.
c) A school found a missing dictionary under a desk.
Ask:
(1) Have you ever returned a library book late?
(2) Where is the most unusual place you have found a lost item?
VOCABULARY
borrow (/ˈbɒr.əʊ/, verb)
Meaning: To take and use something that belongs to someone else, promising to give it back later.
Example: You can borrow my book for one week.
crate (/kreɪt/, noun)
Meaning: A large wooden box used for moving or storing things.
Example: The old items were packed inside a wooden crate.
discover (/dɪˈskʌv.ər/, verb)
Meaning: To find something that was hidden or unknown.
Example: Workers discover old coins during home renovations.
fireplace (/ˈfaɪə.pleɪs/, noun)
Meaning: A special space in a room where a fire can be built for warmth.
Example: The room was warm because a fire burned in the fireplace.
overdue (/ˌəʊ.vəˈdʒuː/, adjective)
Meaning: Not returned or finished by the expected time.
Example: My library book is overdue by two days.
return (/rɪˈtɜːn/, verb)
Meaning: To give or bring something back to its place.
Example: Please return the key to the main office.
A library in Australia recently received a very old book. The book was returned 150 years late! A man named Ross Simmons found the book in his house. He was fixing his home when he saw a wooden crate behind a wall. The crate was sealed inside an old fireplace. Inside the crate, he found a book about ancient Greece.
Ross looked inside the cover and saw a stamp. It was from the Kiama Library. His great-great-grandfather probably borrowed the book in the 1870s. The library opened in 1872, but the book was never brought back. If the library charged a late fee today, it would cost thousands of pounds! However, the library manager was just happy to have the book back safely.
The book has some water damage, but it is still in good condition. The library will put it in a glass display case. Nobody can borrow it again!
Listen
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Why was the library book returned so late?
2. Where did Ross Simmons find the old wooden crate?
3. Would you like to visit a library to see a 150-year-old book?
4. Why do you think people forget to return library books?
5. What is your favourite book to read at home or school?
FILL IN THE GAPS
FILL THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: crate, discover, overdue, return
A library in Australia recently received a very old book. The book was _______(1) 150 years late! A man named Ross Simmons found the book in his house. He was fixing his home when he saw a wooden _______(2) behind a wall. The crate was sealed inside an old fireplace. Inside the crate, he was able to _______(3) a book about ancient Greece.
Ross looked inside the cover and saw a stamp. It was from the Kiama Library. His great-great-grandfather probably borrowed the book in the 1870s. The library opened in 1872, but the book was never brought back to _______(4) it. If the library charged a late fee today, it would cost thousands of pounds! However, the library manager was just happy to have the book back safely.
The book has some water damage, but it is still in good condition. The library will put it in a glass display case. Nobody can borrow it again!
Section 2: Main Idea
What is the main idea of this story?
a) A library in Australia built a new building for its readers.
b) An overdue book was returned to an Australian library after 150 years.
c) A man built a wooden fireplace inside his old home.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
1. The book was found inside a wooden crate behind a wall. T/F
2. Ross Simmons borrowed the book from the library last week. T/F
3. The library will place the old book in a glass display case. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Put the following events in order from 1 to 3:
( ) Ross Simmons found the book inside a sealed fireplace during house repairs.
( ) A family member borrowed the book from Kiama Library in the 1870s.
( ) The book was safely brought back to the library after 150 years.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. borrow
2. crate
3. discover
4. fireplace
5. overdue
a. late or not returned on time
b. a large wooden container for storing things
c. to find something for the first time
d. a space in a wall where fires are made
e. to take something to use and return later
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
1. The old book was _______ inside a wall for over 100 years.
a) hidden
b) reading
2. It is important to _______ borrowed items to your friends on time.
a) return
b) forget
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
1. Put the parts in order (A-E):
A) returned
B) book
C) was
D) The
E) late.
2. Put the parts in order (A-E):
A) found
B) Ross
C) a
D) crate.
E) wooden
ANSWER KEY
Warm Up Answer: a) A book was hidden inside a old fireplace for many years.
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
1. overdue
2. crate
3. discover
4. return
Section 2: Main Idea
b) An overdue book was returned to an Australian library after 150 years.
Section 3: True or False
1. True
2. False
3. True
Section 4: Put Events in Order
2 - Ross Simmons found the book inside a sealed fireplace during house repairs.
1 - A family member borrowed the book from Kiama Library in the 1870s.
3 - The book was safely brought back to the library after 150 years.
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. e
2. b
3. c
4. d
5. a
Section 6: Discussion Builder
1. a) hidden
2. a) return
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
1. D - B - C - A - E (The book was returned late.)
2. B - A - C - E - D (Ross found a wooden crate.)
Section 8: Discussion Questions
Student answers will vary.
Thank you for your feedback!