Three measurements
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. A colleague claimed that the method works always. He had three measurements, all with the same result. I asked him to…
Text
- Ο συνάδελφος ισχυρίστηκε ότι η μέθοδος δουλεύει πάντα. Είχε τρεις μετρήσεις, όλες με το ίδιο αποτέλεσμα. Του ζήτησα να το ξαναελέγξει με άλλη προσέγγιση, και δέχτηκε. Το δεύτερο δείγμα έδειξε το ίδιο, και τότε το επιχείρημα έγινε πειστικό.o sinádelfos iskhirístike óti i méthodos dulévi pánda. íkhe tris metrísis, óles me to ídio apotélezma. tu zítisa na to ksanaelénksi me áli proséngisi, ke dékhtike. to déftero dígma édikse to ídio, ke tóte to epikhírima éyine pistikóA colleague claimed that the method works always. He had three measurements, all with the same result. I asked him to cross-check with another approach, and he agreed. The second trial showed the same thing, and only then did the argument become convincing.
Comprehension questions
The questions are asked in Russian on purpose: we test your understanding of the text, not your ability to read the question.
- How many measurements did the colleague have at first?
- What was he asked to do?
- When did the argument become convincing?
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.