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On her birthday, Olga returned to her apartment in Yekaterinburg later than usual. She put the kettle on and took a small slice of honey cake from the fridge.
What you'll learn
- Bilingual graded story
- English translation
- 5 useful words
- 2 comprehension questions
Warm-up vocabulary
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Your Russian story
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В день рождения Ольга вернулась в свою квартиру в Екатеринбурге . Она поставила чайник и достала из холодильника маленький кусок медовика. В квартире было совсем тихо и пусто. Ольга звонить маме, когда первой зазвонил её телефон. На экране появилось лицо брата, а за ним сразу несколько знакомых голосов. Брат отодвинул телефон, и Ольга увидела маму, тётю и двух двоюродных сестёр. «Мы все собрались у мамы, тебя вместе», — объяснил он. Ольга засмеялась: «Подождите, я тоже зажгу свечу, и тогда начинайте». Через минуту один огонёк дрожал перед камерой, а вся семья пела немного .
Show full English translation
On her birthday, Olga returned to her apartment in Yekaterinburg later than usual.
She put the kettle on and took a small slice of honey cake from the fridge. The apartment was completely quiet and empty.
Olga was just about to call her mother when her own phone rang first.
Her brother’s face appeared on the screen, followed by several familiar voices at once.
Her brother moved the phone back, and Olga saw her mother, aunt, and two cousins.
“We all gathered at Mom’s so we could wish you happy birthday together,” he explained.
Olga laughed. “Wait, I’ll light a candle too, and then you can begin.”
A minute later, one flame flickered before the camera while the whole family sang slightly out of time.
Vocabulary recap
Reading Comprehension Exercise
A2 Russian Reading Comprehension Exercises
1. What had Olga planned to do before the incoming call?
Correct: Call her mother
Как раз собиралась звонить marks the action Olga was on the point of starting.
2. Why has the family gathered at Olga’s mother’s home?
Correct: To congratulate Olga together
Чтобы поздравить states the family’s shared purpose directly.
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