Auzoan
A short in Basque text at level A1. 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. Marta's quarter is quiet, next to the old town. In the middle there is a little park with a lawn and flowerbeds; on the…
Text
- Marten auzoa lasaia da, alde zaharraren ondoan. Erdialdean plazatxoa dago, belardia eta lore ohekin; izkinean kale argi zahar bat atariaren ondoan. Kale nagusia oinezkoena da: haurrak han jokatzen dituzte, eta paseatzaileek ordua galdetzen dute erlojua gabe. Beste aldean bizitegi etxe berria dago, eta bira ondoren gozokia saltzen duen denda: bunueloak ostegunetan. Arratsaldeetan auzoa isiltasuna da; bidean etxera itzultzen direnen urratsak besterik ez dira entzuten.Marta's quarter is quiet, next to the old town. In the middle there is a little park with a lawn and flowerbeds; on the corner by the porch stands an old street lamp. The main street is for pedestrians: children play on it, and passers-by ask the time without a watch. On the other side there is a new apartment building, and behind the turn there is a pastry shop: donuts on Thursdays. In the evenings there is silence in the quarter; only the steps of those returning home on their way are heard.
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 stands in the middle of the quarter?
- What is the main street of the quarter?
- When do they make donuts at the shop?
- What is the quarter famous for in the evening?
Frequently asked
What level do you need to read this text in Basque?
A1. 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.