Reading

A2 French reading: a new job, a new routine

Follow Adam from restaurant evenings to a bookshop job, then read about his training plans. A short French profile with notes, pictures and four questions.

In short

Use the time markers to build Adam’s timeline: avant introduces his restaurant job, depuis septembre introduces his current bookshop job, and l’année prochaine introduces a training wish. The course dates are still undecided.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

Adam change de rythme

Avant

Avant, Adam travaillait le soir dans un restaurant. Il rentrait tard1 et voyait peu ses amis en semaine. Le dimanche, il restait souvent chez lui pour se reposer.

Depuis septembre

Depuis septembre, il travaille dans une librairie, du mardi au samedi. Il termine à dix-sept heures et peut retrouver ses amis après le travail. Il aime conseiller les clients2, même s’il ne connaît pas encore tous les titres. Le dimanche, il lit les nouveautés dans un café près de chez lui.

L’année prochaine

L’année prochaine, il aimerait suivre une formation3 sur les livres pour enfants. Il n’a pas encore4 choisi les dates. Pour le moment, il demande des renseignements à sa collègue, qui connaît plusieurs centres de formation.

Read it in English

Adam used to work evenings in a restaurant. He came home late and rarely saw his friends during the week. On Sundays he often stayed home to rest.

Since September he has been working in a bookshop, Tuesday to Saturday. He finishes at five and can meet friends after work. He likes advising customers, although he does not yet know all the titles. On Sundays he reads new releases in a nearby café.

Next year he would like to take a course on children’s books. He has not chosen the dates yet. For now, he is asking a colleague about training centres.

Objects from Adam’s two working lives

Study first: French present, English present perfect
FrenchEnglish
Il travaille dans une librairie.He works in a bookshop.
Il travaille dans une librairie depuis septembre.He has been working in a bookshop since September.

With depuis, the French present describes a situation that began earlier and continues now. The past routine uses the imparfait: travaillait, rentrait, voyait. The final section combines a wish, aimerait, with an unfinished decision, n’a pas encore choisi.

Question 1No account needed
What belonged to Adam’s old routine?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Returning home late. The restaurant paragraph connects his former evening work with late returns.

Question 2No account needed
What has he been doing since September?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Working in a bookshop. Depuis septembre introduces his current bookshop job.

Question 3No account needed
Which statement matches his present opinion?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

He likes advising customers and is still learning about the books.. The text pairs a positive opinion with something he is still learning.

Question 4No account needed
What has he decided about the training?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

He wants to take it, but the dates are open.. He would like to take a course next year and has not chosen its dates.