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A1 French reading: a message from your new neighbour

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Read a new neighbour’s introduction and a reply. Practise floors, homes and workplaces, explore the entrance hall and check the proposed coffee plan.

In short

In a neighbour’s message, j’habite introduces a home and je travaille introduces work. Use the names to keep each person’s details together. A question such as Est-ce que cela vous convient ? asks for a reply about the proposed plan.

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Two neighbours meet beside a shared book table in their entrance hall.
The table à livres gives new neighbours a reason to meet. Illustration: Atelier

Bienvenue dans l’immeuble

Karim se présente

Bonjour ! Je m’appelle Karim et je suis votre nouveau voisin1. J’habite au deuxième étage2, dans le petit appartement à gauche. Je travaille dans une librairie3 près de la gare. J’aime lire et cuisiner. Le dimanche, je suis souvent chez moi. Si vous êtes libre, on peut prendre un café ensemble. Bonne journée ! Karim

Inès répond

Bonjour Karim, bienvenue4 ! Je m’appelle Inès. Mon appartement est au premier étage. Je travaille à la maison le lundi et le mardi. J’aime aussi les livres. Merci pour la proposition de café. Ce dimanche, je ne suis pas là, mais je suis libre mercredi après-midi. Est-ce que cela vous convient5 ? À bientôt, Inès

Une table à livres

Inès ajoute : « Dans l’entrée de l’immeuble6, il y a une petite table avec des livres. Les voisins peuvent prendre un livre et en apporter un autre. Regardez la table quand vous passez ! »

Read it in English

Karim introduces himself: Hello! My name is Karim and I am your new neighbour. I live on the second floor, in the small flat on the left. I work in a bookshop near the station. I like reading and cooking. On Sundays, I am often at home. If you are free, we can have a coffee together. Have a good day! Karim

Inès replies: Hello Karim, welcome! My name is Inès. My flat is on the first floor. I work at home on Mondays and Tuesdays. I like books too. Thank you for the coffee suggestion. This Sunday, I won’t be here, but I am free on Wednesday afternoon. Does that suit you? See you soon, Inès

A book table: Inès adds, “There is a small table with books in the building’s entrance hall. The neighbours can take a book and bring another one. Have a look at the table when you pass!”

Explore the entrance hall

The entrance hall of a small block of flats, seen from the open front entrance. A staircase rises along the left wall. A small table holding a few books stands

Keep the book places separate

Karim travaille dans une librairie. Il habite dans un immeuble avec une table à livres.

Karim works in a bookshop. He lives in a building with a book table.

Une librairie is a bookshop. Une bibliothèque is a library. The shared books in this entrance hall belong to a simple exchange: take a book and bring another. For the coffee plan, look for the next reply from Karim to confirm whether Wednesday suits him.

Question 1No account needed
Where does Karim live?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Au deuxième étage.. Karim says he lives on the second floor; the first-floor flat belongs to Inès.

Question 2No account needed
Where does Karim work?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Dans une librairie près de la gare.. Karim names a bookshop near the station. Working at home on two days is Inès’s detail.

Question 3No account needed
What is the status of Wednesday coffee?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Inès proposes it and asks whether it suits Karim.. Inès asks whether Wednesday suits Karim; the exchange ends before he replies.

Question 4No account needed
Where are the shared books?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Sur une table dans l’entrée de l’immeuble.. Inès describes a small table with books in the building’s entrance hall.

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