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A2 French reading: where can Lina collect her parcel?

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Read a French parcel message and a neighbour’s reply. Find the collection address, first collection day and opening hours, then answer five questions.

In short

The parcel will be at the bookshop collection point from Wednesday. À partir de demain gives the first collection day; du mardi au samedi gives the shop’s opening days. Read the neighbour’s reply too: being free at midday and being able to collect for Lina are separate questions.

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A bookshop worker handing an unlabelled parcel across a counter to a customer, shelves of plain books.
A bookshop becomes un point de retrait for a parcel. Illustration: Atelier

Deux messages · mardi après-midi

Le colis de Lina

Mardi, 16 h — message de livraison

Votre colis n’a pas pu être livré à votre domicile1 ce matin. Il sera disponible au point de retrait2 de la librairie du Parc, au 18 rue Verte, à partir de demain3. La librairie est ouverte de 10 h à 19 h, du mardi au samedi.

Mardi, 16 h 10 — messages entre voisins

Lina : Je travaille demain jusqu’à4 18 h 30. Adam, est-ce que tu peux récupérer le colis pour moi ?

Adam : Je suis libre à midi, mais je ne sais pas si je peux le retirer à ta place5. Vérifie d’abord les conditions du point de retrait.

Lina : D’accord, je vais me renseigner6 auprès de la librairie.

Read it in English

Tuesday, 4 pm — delivery message: Your parcel could not be delivered to your home this morning. It will be available at the Librairie du Parc collection point, at 18 Rue Verte, from tomorrow. The bookshop is open from 10 am to 7 pm, Tuesday to Saturday.

Tuesday, 4.10 pm — neighbours’ messages: Lina: I’m working tomorrow until 6.30 pm. Adam, can you collect the parcel for me? Adam: I’m free at midday, but I don’t know whether I can collect it on your behalf. Check the collection point’s conditions first.

Lina: All right, I’ll ask the bookshop.

Read the time phrases

A start and an end
PhraseWhat it tells youIn the messages
à partir de demainWhen something beginsCollection starts on Wednesday.
jusqu’à 18 h 30When something endsLina finishes work at 6.30 pm.
du mardi au samediThe days in a rangeThe bookshop opens Tuesday to Saturday.

The first message arrives on Tuesday. Its demain therefore means Wednesday. Lina also writes on Tuesday, so she is working on Wednesday until 18 h 30. Adam is free at midday that day. The next step is Lina’s enquiry about collection by another person.

What could Lina ask the bookshop?

Bonjour, mon voisin peut-il retirer mon colis à ma place ?

Hello, can my neighbour collect my parcel on my behalf?

The question asks about the condition Adam raised.

Quels documents doit-il présenter ?

Which documents must he show?

A useful follow-up once Lina has asked whether her neighbour can collect.

Question 1No account needed
Where will the parcel be available?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

At the bookshop collection point, 18 Rue Verte.. The delivery message names the collection point inside the bookshop at 18 Rue Verte.

Question 2No account needed
The delivery message arrives on Tuesday. What is the first collection day?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Wednesday.. Collection begins tomorrow; tomorrow after Tuesday is Wednesday.

Question 3No account needed
When is the bookshop open?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

De 10 h à 19 h, du mardi au samedi.. The message gives 10–19 h and Tuesday–Saturday. The 18 h 30 time refers to Lina’s work.

Question 4No account needed
What does Adam still need Lina to check?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Whether he may collect on her behalf.. Adam says he is free but asks Lina to check the conditions for collecting on her behalf.

Question 5No account needed
What does Lina agree to do next?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Ask the bookshop for information.. Her final message says she will ask the bookshop for information.

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