A1Beginner229 words · 3 min
Getting up to move
Youssef wakes up tired every morning. A neighbour invites him to walk, he signs up at the gym, and his routine changes.
The text
Youssef habite à Laval depuis peu. Le matin, il se réveille tard et il se sent fatigué, parce qu'il travaille assis toute la journée et qu'il se couche devant la télévision le soir. Un dimanche, sa voisine Julie frappe à la porte et lui demande si elle va marcher au parc, et s'il vient avec elle. Youssef hésite, puis il s'habille vite.
Dehors, l'air est frais, et ils marchent pendant une heure. Youssef se sent bien, et Julie lui demande s'ils se revoient demain. Il répond que oui. Le lendemain, il se lève à sept heures, se prépare un café et se dépêche, parce que Julie l'attend devant l'immeuble. Après la marche, elle lui montre un petit gym près du métro.
À l'accueil, Youssef demande comment on s'inscrit. L'employé lui répond que c'est simple : il faut remplir ce papier et choisir un forfait. Youssef s'inscrit le jour même, mais ses vieux souliers lui font mal aux pieds. Le samedi, il va au magasin de sport, se présente et dit qu'il cherche des souliers pour marcher et courir. Le vendeur lui fait essayer trois paires.
Maintenant, Youssef se lève tôt chaque jour et il se sent plus fort. Le soir, il ne se couche plus devant la télévision : il se couche tôt et il dort bien. Julie et lui se retrouvent au parc tous les matins, même quand il neige.
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Youssef has not lived in Laval for long. In the morning he wakes up late and feels tired, because he works sitting down all day and goes to bed in front of the television in the evening. One Sunday, his neighbour Julie knocks on the door and asks if she is going for a walk in the park, and if he will come with her. Youssef hesitates, then gets dressed quickly.
Outside, the air is fresh, and they walk for an hour. Youssef feels good, and Julie asks if they will see each other again tomorrow. He answers yes. The next day, he gets up at seven, makes himself a coffee and hurries, because Julie is waiting for him in front of the building. After the walk, she shows him a small gym near the metro.
At the front desk, Youssef asks how to sign up. The employee answers that it is simple: you have to fill in this form and choose a plan. Youssef signs up that same day, but his old shoes hurt his feet. On Saturday, he goes to the sports store, introduces himself and says that he is looking for shoes for walking and running. The salesman has him try on three pairs.
Now, Youssef gets up early every day and feels stronger. In the evening, he no longer goes to bed in front of the television: he goes to bed early and sleeps well. Julie and he meet at the park every morning, even when it snows.
Underlined words are in the glossary: tap one for its definition.
Comprehension questions 4
1. Comment Youssef se sent-il le matin, au début de l'histoire ?（How does Youssef feel in the morning, at the start of the story?）
Answer : Il se sent fatigué.
2. Qui invite Youssef à marcher au parc ?（Who invites Youssef to walk in the park?）
Answer : Sa voisine Julie.
3. Que fait Youssef au magasin de sport ?（What does Youssef do at the sports store?）
Answer : Il essaie trois paires de souliers pour marcher et courir.
4. Que fait Youssef maintenant, chaque matin ?（What does Youssef do now, every morning?）
Answer : Il se lève tôt et il retrouve Julie au parc.
Grammar point in this text
Practise speaking
Le sport et la formeSports and fitness
The gym, team sports, outdoor activities — the French of sports.
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