Reading

A1 French short story: one free seat on the bus

Three passengers, one empty seat. An easy French story about politeness on the bus, with glosses, a translation and questions about who sits and why.

In short

A very short A1 story about manners on public transport. A student, an older man and a pregnant woman see one free seat. Who sits down, and why?

A student offering an empty bus seat to an older man and a pregnant woman.
One place libre becomes a small act of courtesy. Illustration: Atelier

Une place libre

Il est huit heures du matin et le bus 12 est bondé1. Il y a seulement une place libre2, au fond.

Trois personnes la voient : Théo, un étudiant avec un gros sac ; Monsieur Faure, un vieux monsieur avec une canne3 ; et Clara, qui est enceinte4.

Théo est fatigué, mais il reste debout. Monsieur Faure dit à Clara : « Je vous en prie, asseyez-vous. » Clara répond : « Non, asseyez-vous, monsieur. »

Finalement, une dame près de la fenêtre se lève5 : « Je descends6 ici. Asseyez-vous tous les deux ! » Monsieur Faure et Clara vont s'asseoir7, souriants8. Théo rit.

Read it in English

It's eight in the morning and bus 12 is packed. There is only one free seat, at the back.

Three people see it: Théo, a student with a big bag; Monsieur Faure, an old man with a walking stick; and Clara, who is pregnant.

Théo is tired, but he stays standing. Monsieur Faure says to Clara: "Please, sit down." Clara answers: "No, you sit down, sir."

Finally, a woman near the window stands up: "I'm getting off here. Sit down, both of you!" Monsieur Faure and Clara sit down, smiling. Théo laughs.

What do you say politely on a French bus?

On the bus
FrenchEnglish
Vous voulez vous asseoir ?Would you like to sit down?
Je descends au prochain arrêt.I'm getting off at the next stop.
Pardon, je peux passer ?Sorry, can I get past?
La place est libre ?Is this seat free?
Question 1No account needed
How many seats are free at the start of the story?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

one. Il y a seulement une place libre.

Question 2No account needed
What does Théo do?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

He stays standing.. Il reste debout: he stays standing even though he is tired.

Question 3No account needed
Why do two people sit in the end?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

A woman gets off and frees a second seat.. The woman by the window gets off, so there are two seats.