Reading

A1 French short story: dinner for one becomes dinner for three

An easy French reading in the present tense: Inès plans a quiet dinner, then two friends ring the bell. Glossed words, translation and questions.

In short

A short A1 reading about food and visitors. Inès cooks pasta for herself, then her brother and a neighbour arrive. Tap a glossed word for its meaning, then answer the questions.

A kitchen table set for three with pasta, vegetables and a chocolate cake.
A quiet dîner becomes a meal to share with unexpected visitors. Illustration: Atelier

Un dîner pour trois

C'est vendredi soir. Inès est seule1 à la maison. Elle est fatiguée et veut un dîner tranquille. Elle prépare des pâtes2 à la sauce tomate.

À vingt heures, on sonne3. C'est son frère Karim. « Salut ! Je suis affamé4. Tu as mangé ? » Inès rit : « Non, entre. »

Cinq minutes plus tard, on sonne encore. C'est Madame Roux, la voisine, avec un gâteau. « Bonsoir ! J'ai fait un gâteau. Vous voulez le partager5 ? »

Il n'y a pas assez de pâtes pour trois. Inès ouvre une boîte6 de thon et ajoute7 des légumes. « Ça suffit8 ? » — « Oui, c'est parfait ! » Finalement, le dîner tranquille est une petite fête.

Read it in English

It's Friday evening. Inès is alone at home. She is tired and wants a quiet dinner. She makes pasta with tomato sauce.

At eight o'clock, the bell rings. It's her brother Karim. "Hello! I'm starving. Have you eaten?" Inès laughs: "No, come in."

Five minutes later, the bell rings again. It's Madame Roux, the neighbour, with a cake. "Good evening! I made a cake. Do you want to share it?"

There isn't enough pasta for three. Inès opens a tin of tuna and adds some vegetables. "Is that enough?" "Yes, it's perfect!" In the end, the quiet dinner is a little party.

Useful from the story

Little phrases worth keeping
FrenchEnglish
On sonne.Someone's at the door.
Tu as mangé ?Have you eaten?
Il n'y a pas assez de…There isn't enough…
C'est parfait !It's perfect!
Question 1No account needed
Who arrives first?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Karim. Karim, her brother, rings at eight; Madame Roux comes five minutes later.

Question 2No account needed
What does Madame Roux bring?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

a cake. Avec un gâteau: she brings a cake to share.

Question 3No account needed
How does Inès solve the problem?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

She adds tuna and vegetables to the pasta.. Elle ouvre une boîte de thon et ajoute des légumes.