Une Surprise au Bureau
Nadia pensait que la journée serait ordinaire, mais ses collègues lui ont réservé une surprise chaleureuse.
Today's learning
- 1-minute story
- Native narration
- 9 useful words
- 4 comprehension questions
- A2 French
Pre-Reading Vocabulary
Review these key words and phrasing examples before you begin reading.
Your French story — tap highlighted words when you need help
Nadia pensait que la serait ordinaire. Elle est arrivée au bureau à neuf heures, son ordinateur et a commencé à répondre à ses e-mails. Pourtant, ses semblaient plus silencieux que d'habitude. À dix heures, son manager lui a demandé de venir dans la salle de réunion. Quand Nadia a ouvert la porte, tout le monde a crié : « Surprise ! » Sur la table, il y avait un gâteau au chocolat et une grande carte signée par l'équipe. Nadia avait oublié que c'était son anniversaire de travail. Elle a ri, puis elle a remercié tout le monde. La réunion a duré seulement quinze minutes, mais elle a changé toute sa journée.
Show full English translation
Nadia thought the day would be ordinary. She arrived at the office at nine, turned on her computer, and began answering her emails. However, her colleagues seemed quieter than usual. At ten, her manager asked her to come to the meeting room. When Nadia opened the door, everyone shouted, "Surprise!" On the table, there was a chocolate cake and a large card signed by the team. Nadia had forgotten it was her work anniversary. She laughed and thanked everyone. The meeting lasted only fifteen minutes, but it changed her entire day.
Vocabulary recap
Reading Comprehension Exercise
A2 French Reading Comprehension Exercises
1. Why were Nadia's colleagues quieter than usual?
Correct: They were preparing a surprise.
Nadia's colleagues were quieter because they were preparing a surprise for her work anniversary.
2. What did Nadia find in the meeting room?
Correct: A chocolate cake.
In the meeting room, Nadia found a chocolate cake and a card signed by the team.
3. How long did the surprise meeting last?
Correct: Fifteen minutes.
The surprise meeting lasted only fifteen minutes, but it had a big impact on Nadia's day.
4. Défi A2+ : Pourquoi les collègues de Nadia ont-ils organisé cette surprise ? Qu'est-ce que cela dit sur leur relation ?
Correct: Ils célèbrent son anniversaire de travail, ce qui montre une relation chaleureuse et solidaire
Les collègues se sont organisés en secret pour fêter son anniversaire de travail, preuve d'une bonne ambiance d'équipe.
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Patterns to reuse
Describing how your day starts
Elle est arrivée au bureau à neuf heures, a allumé son ordinateur et a commencé à répondre à ses e-mails.
She arrived at the office at nine, turned on her computer, and began answering her emails.
In French, we list past actions with 'a [past participle]' for each one.
Je suis arrivé(e) à [place], j'ai [action], et j'ai commencé à [infinitive].
- Je suis arrivé(e) à la maison, j'ai pris un café, et j'ai commencé à lire.
- Je suis arrivé(e) à l'école, j'ai salué mes amis, et j'ai commencé à étudier.
This pattern helps you describe what you did at the start of your day, using the passé composé.
Politely asking someone to do something
Son manager lui a demandé de venir dans la salle de réunion.
Her manager asked her to come to the meeting room.
To politely ask, use 'demander à [person] de [verb]'.
demander à [person] de [infinitive]
- demander à Julien de préparer le dossier
- demander à Marie de fermer la porte
- demander à Paul de venir
Use this pattern to politely request an action from someone.
Thanking a group warmly
Elle a remercié tout le monde.
She thanked everyone.
To thank a group, use 'remercier tout le monde'.
remercier tout le monde
- remercier l'équipe
- remercier mes collègues
A common way to express gratitude to several people at once.
Translator's Note
"This story uses simple past tense and vocabulary suitable for A2 learners, focusing on everyday office scenarios."
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