LingoflyThe decision that got delayed
A text in Armenian 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. The roof of the house had to be replaced back in spring, but we put it off. In summer the repairman was busy, in autumn…
Text
- Տան տանիքը պետք էր փոխել դեռ գարնանը, բայց մենք հետաձգեցինք։ Ամռանը վարպետը զբաղված էր, աշնանը սկսվեցին անձրևները, և գործը ձգձգվեց։ Հոկտեմբերին ջուրը ներս մտավ, և վերանորոգումը դարձավ երկու անգամ թանկ։ Ի վերջո ձեռնամուխ եղանք և մեկ շաբաթում ամեն ինչ արեցինք ինչպես հարկն է։ Հիմա գիտենք. հետաձգված գործը ոչ թե անհետանում է, այլ թանկանում։Tan tanik'ə petk' er p'okhel derr garnanə, bayts menk' hetadzgetsink'. Amrranə varpetə zbaghvats er, ashnanə sksvetsin andzrevnerə, yev gortsə dzgdzgvets. Hoktemberin jurə ners mtav, yev veranorogumə dardzav yerku angam t'ank. I verjo dzerrnamukh yeghank' yev mek shabat'um amen inch aretsink' inchpes harkn e. Hima gitenk' — hetadzgvats gortsə voch t'e anhetanum e, ayl t'ankanum.The roof of the house had to be replaced back in spring, but we put it off. In summer the repairman was busy, in autumn the rains started, and the job dragged on. In October water got inside, and the repair became twice as expensive. In the end we got down to it and in a week did everything as it should be. Now we know: a postponed job doesn't disappear, it gets more expensive.
Comprehension questions
The questions are asked in Russian on purpose: we test your understanding of the text, not your ability to read the question.
- When did the roof have to be replaced?
- Why did the job drag on in summer?
- What happened in October?
- What conclusion did they come to?
Frequently asked
What level do you need to read this text in Armenian?
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.