La Cena
Tonight, the Rodríguez family prepares a special dinner. The grandmother makes her famous paella. The grandfather sets the table with white plates and crystal glasses.
- Length
- 120 words
- Reading time
- ~1 min
- Vocabulary
- 9 terms
- Comprehension
- 5 questions
Pre-Reading Vocabulary
Review these key words and phrasing examples before you begin reading.
Your Spanish story — tap highlighted words when you need help
Esta noche, la familia Rodríguez prepara una especial. La cocina su famosa paella, llena de mariscos frescos. El abuelo arregla la con platos blancos y vasos de cristal. Los niños ayudan a lavar las verduras, riendo y salpicando agua. " La paella necesita más azafrán," comenta la abuela con una sonrisa. El a azafrán y mariscos llena la cocina. Toda la familia se sienta a la mesa, ansiosa por comer. " Gracias por esta deliciosa comida, abuela," dice el padre con gratitud. Todos disfrutan y hablan sobre su día lleno de aventuras. Los niños historias emocionantes del colegio. La abuela sonríe, escuchando con atención. Esta es su parte favorita del día: la familia , feliz.
Show full English translation
Tonight, the Rodríguez family is preparing a special dinner. Grandmother cooks her famous paella, brimming with fresh seafood. Grandfather arranges the table with white plates and crystal glasses. The children help wash the vegetables, laughing and splashing water. " The paella needs more saffron," grandmother remarks with a smile. The scent of saffron and seafood fills the kitchen. The whole family sits at the table, eager to eat. " Thank you for this delicious meal, grandmother," the father says gratefully. Everyone enjoys and talks about their day full of adventures. The children share exciting stories from school. Grandmother smiles, listening attentively. This is her favorite part of the day: the family together, happy.
Vocabulary recap
Reading Comprehension Exercise
A1 Spanish Reading Comprehension Exercises
1. ¿Qué prepara la abuela para la cena?
Correct: Paella
La abuela prepara su famosa paella, un plato tradicional español lleno de mariscos y azafrán.
2. ¿Qué hacen los niños mientras ayudan en la cocina?
Correct: Lavan las verduras
Los niños ayudan a lavar las verduras, riendo y salpicando agua, lo que añade alegría a la preparación.
3. ¿Qué dice el padre a la abuela durante la cena?
Correct: Gracias por esta deliciosa comida
El padre agradece a la abuela por la deliciosa comida, mostrando gratitud por su esfuerzo.
4. ¿Cuál es el ingrediente que la abuela dice que necesita más la paella?
Correct: Azafrán
El azafrán es un ingrediente clave en la paella, dándole su color y sabor característicos.
5. ¿Cómo se siente la abuela al final del día?
Correct: Feliz
La abuela se siente feliz al ver a su familia junta y disfrutando de la cena, su parte favorita del día.
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Patterns to reuse
Saying what's happening tonight
Esta noche, la familia Rodríguez prepara una cena especial.
Tonight, the Rodríguez family is preparing a special dinner.
In Spanish, 'esta noche' (tonight) can start a sentence to talk about plans.
Esta noche, [person] [verb] [activity].
- Esta noche, cenamos juntos.
- Esta noche, Marta cocina.
- Esta noche, veo una película.
Use 'esta noche' at the beginning of a sentence to say what will happen tonight.
Expressing what someone is doing (present tense)
El abuelo arregla la mesa con platos blancos y vasos de cristal.
Grandfather arranges the table with white plates and crystal glasses.
The present tense is used to describe actions happening now.
[Person] [verb in present tense] [object or activity].
- La abuela cocina paella.
- Los niños ayudan a lavar las verduras.
- Todos disfrutan y hablan.
Just use the correct present tense form of the verb for each person to say what they are doing.
Giving thanks for something
Gracias por esta deliciosa comida, abuela.
Thank you for this delicious meal, grandmother.
'Gracias por' is used to thank someone for something specific.
Gracias por [thing or action], [person].
- Gracias por tu ayuda, mamá.
- Gracias por la cena, papá.
- Gracias por escucharme, amigo.
Say 'gracias por' plus the thing or action, then the person’s name or title, to show gratitude.
Describing who sits together
Toda la familia se sienta a la mesa, ansiosa por comer.
The whole family sits at the table, eager to eat.
Use 'se sienta(n) a la mesa' to talk about sitting down to eat as a group.
[Group/person] se sienta(n) a la mesa.
- Mi familia se sienta a la mesa.
- Los amigos se sientan a la mesa.
- Ella se sienta a la mesa.
You can use 'se sienta(n) a la mesa' to describe who is sitting at the table.
Translator's Note
"This story captures the warmth of a family dinner, focusing on simple yet vivid descriptions to engage beginner learners."
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