LingoflyFrom zero
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 first attempt failed. We took on the business together, without money and without experience, and within half a…
Text
- Перша спроба провалилася. Ми взялися за справу вдвох, без грошей і без досвіду, і за півроку все припинилося. Другого разу я почав з нуля, але вже наполегливо: спершу порахував витрати, потім знайшов помічника. Перешкоди були ті самі, зате я знав, де вони. Тепер справа працює третій рік.Persha sproba provalylasia. My vzialysia za spravu vdvokh, bez hroshei i bez dosvidu, i za pivroku vse prypynylosia. Druhoho razu ya pochav z nulia, ale vzhe napolehlyvo: spershu porakhuvav vytraty, potim znaishov pomichnyka. Pereshkody buly ti sami, zate ya znav, de vony. Teper sprava pratsiuie tretii rik.The first attempt failed. We took on the business together, without money and without experience, and within half a year it all stopped. The second time I started from zero, but persistently: first I counted the expenses, then found an assistant. The obstacles were the same, but I knew where they were. Now the business has been running for its third year.
Comprehension questions
The questions are asked in Russian on purpose: we test your understanding of the text, not your ability to read the question.
- How did the first attempt end?
- What was missing the first time?
- What did the narrator start with the second time?
- How long has the business been running?
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.