Ключ не поворачивается
In the evening, Pavel climbs to the third floor with two bags and a pot of basil. He puts the key into his new apartment door, but it will not turn.

What you'll learn
- Bilingual graded story
- English translation
- 7 useful words
- 2 comprehension questions
Warm-up vocabulary
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Вечером Павел поднимается на третий этаж с двумя сумками и . Он вставляет ключ в дверь новой квартиры, но ключ . Из соседней двери выходит Ольга, и Павел говорит: «Здравствуйте. Я ваш ». «У меня не открывается дверь. Здесь есть секрет?» Ольга улыбается: «Нужно немного . Давайте попробуем вместе». Дверь открывается, и по лестнице сразу пахнет свежим базиликом. Павел обещает после переезда зайти к Ольге на чай.
Show full English translation
In the evening, Pavel climbs to the third floor with two bags and a pot of basil.
He puts the key into his new apartment door, but it will not turn.
Olga steps out of the next apartment, and Pavel says, “Hello. I’m your new neighbor.”
“My door won’t open. Is there a trick to it?”
Olga smiles. “You need to lift the handle a little. Let’s try together.”
The door opens, and the stairwell suddenly smells of fresh basil.
Pavel promises to stop by for tea once he has unpacked.
Vocabulary recap
Reading Comprehension Exercise
A1 Russian Reading Comprehension Exercises
1. What prevents Pavel from entering his apartment?
Correct: The key will not turn
The key fits the lock but не поворачивается, so the difficulty is the handle technique.
2. What future invitation grows out of Olga’s help?
Correct: Tea after Pavel unpacks
The practical first meeting ends with Pavel promising to visit Olga for tea after the move.
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- 7 new expressions
- 1 grammar pattern
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