August in Athens
A short in Greek text at level A2. The translation sits next to it: reading with a dictionary is still too early at this level, and without support it will not happen at all. In August Athens empties. It is very hot, forty degrees at noon, and the shops in the neighborhood are closed. The…
Text
- Τον Αύγουστο η Αθήνα αδειάζει. Κάνει πολλή ζέστη, σαράντα βαθμούς το μεσημέρι, και τα μαγαζιά της γειτονιάς είναι κλειστά. Οι γείτονες φεύγουν για το νησί και γυρίζουν τον Σεπτέμβριο. Εγώ δουλεύω, αλλά βγαίνω μόνο το βράδυ, όταν κάνει δροσιά.ton Ávgusto i Athína adiázi. káni polí zésti, saránda vathmús to mesiméri, ke ta magaziá tis yitoniás íne klistá. i yítones févgun ya to nisí ke yirízun ton Septémvrio. egó dulévo, alá vyéno móno to vrádi, ótan káni drosiá.In August Athens empties. It is very hot, forty degrees at noon, and the shops in the neighborhood are closed. The neighbors leave for an island and come back in September. I work, but I go out only in the evening, when it is cooler.
Comprehension questions
The questions are asked in Russian on purpose: we test your understanding of the text, not your ability to read the question.
- What happens to Athens in August?
- Where do the neighbors go?
- When does the narrator go out of the house?
Frequently asked
What level do you need to read this text in Greek?
A2. That means: you know the letters and have a stock of everyday words — about two or three hundred.
How to read a text in an unfamiliar language usefully?
First all the way through without peeking at the translation — just to catch the familiar words. Then with the translation. Then all the way through again: the second pass brings noticeably more, and that feeling matters more than any rule.