LingoflyThe shortcut
A text in Ukrainian 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 road around the pond is long, so I always took the shortcut. The path led across a field, away from the road, and…
Text
- Дорога навколо ставка довга, тому я завжди йшов навпростець. Стежка вела через поле, збоку від дороги, і виходила просто до школи. Одного ранку стежку перекопали, і я опинився в глухому куті. Довелося вертатися назад і обходити ставок. Того дня я вперше спізнився.Doroha navkolo stavka dovha, tomu ya zavzhdy yshov navprostets. Stezhka vela cherez pole, zboku vid dorohy, i vykhodyla prosto do shkoly. Odnoho ranku stezhku perekopaly, i ya opynyvsia v hlukhomu kuti. Dovelosia vertatysia nazad i obkhodyty stavok. Toho dnia ya vpershe spiznyvsia.The road around the pond is long, so I always took the shortcut. The path led across a field, away from the road, and came out right at the school. One morning the path had been dug up, and I found myself at a dead end. I had to go back and walk around the pond. That day I was late for the first time.
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 the narrator take the shortcut?
- Where did the path come out?
- What happened to the path?
- How did the morning end?
Frequently asked
What level do you need to read this text in Ukrainian?
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.