The shortcut path
A text in Persian at level B1. The translation sits next to it for checking, not for support: at this level the text is read whole, and an unknown word is usually guessed from the sentence. With my brother we went to the hut by the path we have known since childhood. At the fork we decided to go straight…
Text
- با برادرم به کلبه رفتیم از راهی که از کودکی می‌شناسیم. در دو راهی تصمیم گرفتیم از میان‌بر برویم، چون نزدیک‌تر بود. نیم ساعت بعد گم شدیم، چون تنها نشانه را از دست دادیم. در دوردست برج ساعت پیدا بود، پس به طرفش برگشتیم. راه به دره‌ای تنگ پایین رفت و به بن‌بست رسید. برگشتیم از راه اصلی و آخر عصر به کلبه رسیدیم.ba bârâdâram be kelbe reftim az râhiye ke az kudeki mi-shenâsim. dar dâ râhiye tasmim gereftim az miyonbar berevim, chân nazdiktar bud. nim sâât ba'd gâm shâdim, chân tanhâ neshâne râ az dast dâdim. dar durdâst bârdzhee sâât peydâ bud, pas be târafesh bârgeshtim. râh be dareye tâng pâin reft â be bân-bâst resid. bârgeshtim az râhe âsli â âkhare asr be kelbe residim.With my brother we went to the hut by the path we have known since childhood. At the fork we decided to go straight across, because it is closer. In half an hour we got lost, because we lost the only landmark. In the distance a clock tower was visible, so we turned to it. The path descended into a tight gorge and led to a dead end. We returned by the main road and reached the hut towards the end of the evening.
Comprehension questions
The questions are asked in Russian on purpose: we test your understanding of the text, not your ability to read the question.
- Why did they go straight across?
- Why did they get lost?
- What was visible in the distance?
- How did the path end in the gorge?
Frequently asked
What level do you need to read this text in Persian?
B1. That means: everyday topics are behind you, you know about three thousand words, and an unknown word is more often guessed from the sentence than looked up.
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.