The day everything broke down
A short in Spanish 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. First, at seven in the morning, the power went out — just when I was making breakfast. Then, going down to the entrance…
Text
- Primero se fue la luz a las siete de la mañana, justo cuando estaba preparando el desayuno. Luego, al bajar al portal, vi que el ascensor tampoco funcionaba y tuve que bajar seis pisos a pie. En cuanto llegué a la calle empezó a llover, y de repente me acordé de que el paraguas se había quedado arriba. Mientras esperaba el autobús me llamaron del trabajo para decirme que la reunión se había cambiado al día siguiente. Después de eso decidí volver a casa, y desde entonces cada vez que suena el teléfono antes de las ocho me pongo nervioso.First, at seven in the morning, the power went out — just when I was making breakfast. Then, going down to the entrance hall, I saw that the elevator was not working either, and I had to walk down from the sixth floor. As soon as I stepped outside, it started to rain, and suddenly I remembered that the umbrella had been left upstairs. While I was waiting for the bus, they called from work to say the meeting had been moved to the next day. After that I decided to go back home, and since then every time the phone rings before eight I start to get nervous.
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 happened first?
- Why did he have to walk?
- What did he remember when it started to rain?
- What did they say from work?
Frequently asked
What level do you need to read this text in Spanish?
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.