Read the following story “Os Três Pinguins” and try to solve the questions before you consult the translation or use a translator. Read as many times as you need. See how much you can understand through context alone. Doing this will allow you to see what you need to work on. A translation is provided below so you check your comprehension (or lack of) after the exercise. Beginner to Intermediate level.
Os Três Pinguins
A Cidália vai pôr gasolina no seu carro. Um dos funcionários que trabalha na bomba de gasolina, vê três pinguins no carro. Surpreendido, ele pergunta: “Por que é que tem 3 pinguins no seu carro?”
A Cidália responde: “bem…quando estava parada no semáforo vermelho, eles entraram no meu carro. Agora não sei o que fazer com eles..”
O funcionário pensa um pouco e diz “leve-os para o zoo hoje!”
“Boa idea! É o que vou fazer! Obrigada” Diz a Cidália.
Uns dias mais tarde, a Cidália volta à bomba de gasolina. O funcionário vê os mesmos três pinguins no carro, mas agora estão de óculos de sol!
“O que se está a passar? Pergunta o funcionário. Eu pensava que ia levá-los ao zoo?!”
“Sim! E eu levei!” responde a Cidália. “Divertimo-nos tanto que hoje decidi levá-los à praia!”
Who is Cidália? Cidália is the driver. How did the penguins end up in the car? They got in when the car was stopped at the traffic light. What did the employee suggest? That she take the penguins to the zoo. Why do the penguins have sunglasses? Because they’re going to the beach. Where does the story take place? At the petrol station. (“pumps of petrol”) “passar” means “to pass” or “to spend time”. When used reflexively it can take on the meaning of “happening” or “taking place” / “occurring” How many penguins are there? There are three. The verb “haver” means “there is” or “there are”
#1. Quem é a Cidália?
#2. Como é que os pinguins acabaram no carro?
#3. O que sugeriu o funcionário?
#4. Por que é que os pinguins têm óculos de sol?
#5. Onde se passa a história?
#6. Quantos pinguins há?
Translation:
The Three Penguins
Cidália is going to put petrol in her car. One of the employees that works at the petrol station sees three penguins in the car. Surprised, he asks: “Why do you have three penguins in your car?”
Cidália answers: “well…when I was stopped at the red traffic light, they got in my car. Now I don’t know what to do with them..”
The employee thinks for a moment and says: “Take them to the zoo today!”
“Good idea! That’s what I will do! Thank you” says Cidália.
A few days later, Cidália returns to the petrol station. The employee sees the same three penguins in the car, but this time they’re wearing sunglasses!
“What’s happening?” Asks the employee “I thought you were taking them to the zoo?!”
“Yes! And I did!” answers Cidália. “We enjoyed ourselves so much that today I thought I’d take them to the beach!”
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