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B1 GermanBilingual ReaderCulture and Traditions

Lichtinstallation im Museum

On Friday evening, Simon slipped into the city museum because his colleagues wouldn't stop raving about a new light installation.

Illustration for the B1 story "Lichtinstallation im Museum": Simon erlebt Proben mit Projektoren, sitzt in einer dunklen Halle und geht mit Summen der Klimaanlage hinaus.

What you'll learn

  • Bilingual graded story
  • Native narration
  • 7 useful words
  • 4 comprehension questions

Then shadow

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1Listen first

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Native German narration of this exact text. Keep the transcript visible on the first pass.

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2Then shadow

Am Freitagabend ist Simon ins städtische Museum geschlichen, weil seine Kollegen nicht aufhörten, von einer neuen Lichtinstallation zu schwärmen.

Warm-up vocabulary

Preview 1 optional words before reading
benommen
dazed
“Er fühlte sich benommen von den visuellen Eindrücken.”

Your German story

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Story + translation + quiz

Am Freitagabend ist Simon ins städtische Museum geschlichen, weil seine Kollegen nicht aufhörten, von einer neuen zu schwärmen. Er hat erfahren, dass Künstlerinnen und monatelang mit experimentiert haben, bis die Schatten sanft und beruhigend wirkten. In einer dunklen saß er auf einer Bank und beobachtete, wie sich Figuren langsam aus dem Boden erhoben, als wären sie lebendig. Die Besucherin neben ihm flüsterte, dass solche Shows Emotionen wecken, ohne laut zu werden oder zu erscheinen. Nach einer Stunde trat er hinaus, das Summen der noch in den Ohren, zufrieden und leicht benommen vom Spiel der Lichter und Schatten. Im Foyer entdeckte Simon Skizzen, die zeigten, wie die Installation Schritt für Schritt entstanden war. Er sprach kurz mit der Besucherin und erfuhr, dass sie die Ausstellung schon zum zweiten Mal sah. Auf dem Heimweg dachte Simon noch lange über das Licht nach und beschloss, am Wochenende mit seiner Schwester wiederzukommen.

Show full English translation

On Friday evening, Simon slipped into the city museum because his colleagues wouldn't stop raving about a new light installation. He discovered that artists and curators had experimented with projectors for months until the shadows appeared gentle and soothing. In a dim hall, he sat on a bench and watched figures slowly rise from the floor as if they were alive. The visitor beside him whispered that such shows evoke emotions without becoming loud or appearing kitschy. After an hour, he stepped outside, the hum of the air conditioning still in his ears, satisfied and slightly dazed by the play of light and shadow. In the foyer, Simon discovered sketches showing how the installation had been created step by step. He spoke briefly with the visitor and learned that she was seeing the exhibition for the second time. On the way home, Simon kept thinking about the light and decided to return with his sister at the weekend.

Reading Comprehension Exercise

B1 German Reading Comprehension Exercises

1. Why does Simon go to the museum on Friday?

2. What did artists and curators work on for a long time?

3. How does he feel after an hour?

4. Wo sitzt Simon während der Lichtinstallation?

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