LingoflyThe river behind the factory
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. People once swam in this river. Then the factory began discharging wastewater, and the fish disappeared within a few…
Text
- Колись у цій річці купалися. Потім завод почав скидати стічні води, і риба зникла за кілька років. Люди скаржилися, але вплив одного листа малий. Аж торік стічні води почали очищати, і вода посвітліла. Зграя качок повернулася першою. Кажуть, за десятиліття річка відродиться зовсім.Kolys u tsii richtsi kupalysia. Potim zavod pochav skydaty stichni vody, i ryba znykla za kilka rokiv. Liudy skarzhylysia, ale vplyv odnoho lysta malyi. Azh torik stichni vody pochaly ochyshchaty, i voda posvitlila. Zghraia kachok povernulasia pershoiu. Kazhut, za desiatylittia richka vidrodytsia zovsim.People once swam in this river. Then the factory began discharging wastewater, and the fish disappeared within a few years. People complained, but one letter carries little weight. Only last year did they start treating the wastewater, and the water grew clearer. A flock of ducks returned first. They say in a decade the river will fully recover.
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 did people once do in the river?
- Why did the fish disappear?
- What happened last year?
- Who returned first?
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.