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00:00Transcription and Subtitles Pedro Negri
00:30Read for you by Rafael Argenton Freire
00:34How to use this audio book?
00:41There are eight stories in this audio version of
00:45Short Stories in Brazilian Portuguese for Beginners.
00:51Each story has been divided into three chapters,
00:55and each track includes one chapter of the story and chapter review material.
01:03After you hear a story chapter, you will hear the story summary,
01:09followed by five comprehension questions about the story.
01:13You will hear each question and then the possible answer options.
01:18There will then be a short pause, giving you time to choose your answer.
01:25When you hear the pause, stop the audio and give yourself time to think about the answer.
01:32Then try to say it out loud.
01:35When you're ready, hit play and listen to the answer.
01:39Note that some of the multiple choice answer options present in the print book and e-book
01:46have been removed from this audio book for ease of use.
01:52A supplementary PDF to a company is included with this audio book.
01:58This PDF contains illustrations from the story for your reference,
02:03as well as a vocabulary list with keywords from each story and their definitions.
02:11As a special thank you for investing in this audio book,
02:14we would like to offer you a bonus story in PDF format, completely free.
02:21Go to readers.teachyourself.com
02:25and enter the code BONUS4YOU, written B-O-N-U-S, the number 4, and Y-O-U,
02:37to claim your free bonus story.
02:40You can then download the bonus story onto the Language Readers app.
02:48Introduction
02:50Reading in a foreign language is one of the most effective ways
02:54for you to improve language skills and expand vocabulary.
03:00However, it can sometimes be difficult to find engaging reading materials
03:05at an appropriate level that will provide a feeling of achievement
03:09and a sense of progress.
03:11Most books and articles written for native speakers
03:14are too difficult for language learners to understand.
03:18They often have very high-level vocabulary
03:21and it may be so long that you feel overwhelmed and give up.
03:25If these problems sound familiar, then this book is for you.
03:30Short Stories in Brazilian Portuguese for Beginners
03:36is a collection of eight unconventional and entertaining short stories
03:41that are designed to help high-beginner to low-intermediate-level
03:46Brazilian Portuguese learners improve their language skills.
03:50These short stories offer something of interest for everyone
03:56and have been designed to create a supportive reading environment
04:01by including rich linguistic content in different genres
04:05to keep you entertained and expose you to a variety of word forms.
04:10Interesting illustrations to introduce the story content and help you better understand what happens.
04:19Shorter stories broken into chapters
04:22to give you the satisfaction of finishing the stories and progressing quickly.
04:27Texts written especially at your level
04:31so they are more easily understood and not overwhelming.
04:35Special learning aids to help support your understanding, including
04:42Summaries to give you regular overviews of plot progression
04:47Vocabulary lists to help you understand unfamiliar words more easily
04:53Comprehension questions to test your understanding of key events
04:58and to encourage you to read in more detail.
05:01So perhaps you are new to Brazilian Portuguese.
05:05And looking for an entertaining way to learn
05:08Or maybe you have been learning for a while
05:10and simply want to enjoy reading and expand your vocabulary
05:15Either way, this book is the biggest step forward you will take in your studies this year.
05:22Short stories in Brazilian Portuguese for beginners
05:26will give you all the support you need.
05:28So sit back, relax, and let your imagination run wild
05:35As you are transported to a magical world of adventure, mystery, and intrigue in Brazilian Portuguese.
05:44How to read effectively
05:52Reading is a complex skill.
05:55In our first languages, we employ a variety of micro-skills to help us read.
06:00For example, we might skim a particular passage in order to understand the general idea or gist.
06:08Or we might scan through multiple pages of a train timetable looking for a particular time or place.
06:15While these micro-skills are second nature when reading in our first languages,
06:21when it comes to reading in a foreign language, research suggests that we often abandon most of these reading skills.
06:29In a foreign language, we usually start at the beginning of a text and try to understand every single word.
06:38Inevitably, we come across unknown or difficult words and quickly get frustrated with our lack of understanding.
06:46One of the main benefits of reading in a foreign language is that you gain exposure to large amounts of words and expressions used naturally.
06:56This kind of reading for pleasure, in order to learn a language, is generally known as extensive reading.
07:05It is very different from reading a textbook in which dialogues or texts are meant to be read in detail with the aim of understanding every word.
07:15That kind of reading, to achieve specific learning objectives or do tasks, is referred to as intensive reading.
07:23To put it another way, the intensive reading in textbooks usually helps you with grammar rules and specific vocabulary,
07:34whereas reading stories extensively help show you natural language in use.
07:41While you may have started your language learning journey using only textbooks,
07:46Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind when reading the stories in this book in order to learn the most from them.
08:09Enjoyment, and a sense of achievement when reading is vitally important.
08:16Enjoying what you read keeps you coming back for more.
08:20The best way to enjoy reading stories and feel a sense of achievement is by reading each story from beginning to end.
08:28Consequently, reaching the end of a story is the most important thing.
08:35It is actually more important than understanding every word in it.
08:41The more you read, the more you learn.
08:46By reading longer texts for enjoyment, you will quickly build up an understanding of how Brazilian Portuguese works.
08:53But remember, in order to take full advantage of the benefits of extensive reading,
09:01you have to actually read a large enough volume in the first place.
09:05Reading a couple of pages here and there may teach you a few new words,
09:10but won't be enough to make a real impact on the overall level of your Brazilian Portuguese.
09:16You must accept that you won't understand everything you read in a story.
09:26This is probably the most important point of all.
09:30Always remember that it is completely normal that you do not understand all the words or sentences.
09:38It doesn't mean that your language level is flawed or that you are not doing well.
09:43It means that you are engaged in the process of learning.
09:49So what should you do when you don't understand a word?
09:53Here are a few steps.
09:551. Look at the word and see if it is familiar in any way.
10:02Remember to look for vocabulary elements from your first language that may be familiar.
10:08Take a guess. You might surprise yourself.
10:112. Re-read the sentence that contains the unknown word several times.
10:20Use the context of that sentence and the rest of the story to try to guess what the unknown word might mean.
10:283. Think about whether or not the word might be a different form of a word you know.
10:344. For example, you might encounter a verb that you know, but it has been conjugated in a different or unfamiliar way.
10:434. Speak
10:455. To speak.
10:475. He spoke
10:486. He spoke.
10:506. They spoke
10:516. They have spoken.
10:537. You may not be familiar with the particular form used, but ask yourself,
11:007. Can I still understand the gist of what's going on?
11:048. Usually, if you have managed to recognize the main verb, that is enough.
11:108. Instead of getting frustrated, simply notice how the verb is being used and carry on reading.
11:189. Recognizing different forms of words will come intuitively over time.
11:2510. Make a note of the unknown word in a notebook and check the meaning later.
11:35You can review these words over time to make them part of your active vocabulary.
11:42If you simply must know the meaning of a bolded word, you can look it up in the vocabulary list
11:48at the end of the chapter, in the glossary at the back of this book, or use a dictionary. However,
11:55this should be your last resort. These suggestions are designed to train you to handle reading in
12:02Brazilian Portuguese independently and without help. The more you can develop this skill,
12:09the better you'll be able to read.
12:1110. Remember, learn to be comfortable with the ambiguity you may encounter while reading a foreign
12:18language is the most powerful skill that will help you become an independent and resilient learner of
12:26Brazilian Portuguese.
12:28In order to get the most from reading short stories in Brazilian Portuguese for beginners,
12:37it will be best for you to follow this simple six-step reading process for each chapter of the stories.
12:461. Look at the illustration and read the chapter title. Think about what the story might be about.
12:55Then, read the chapter all the way through. Your aim is simply to reach the end of the chapter.
13:04Therefore, do not stop to look upwards and do not worry if there are things you do not understand.
13:11Simply try to follow the plot.
13:152. When you reach the end of the chapter, read the short summary of the plot to see if you have
13:22understood what has happened. If you find this difficult, do not worry. You will improve with each chapter.
13:333. Go back and read the same chapter again. If you like, you can focus more on story details than before,
13:43but otherwise simply read it through one more time.
13:454. When you reach the end of the chapter for the second time, read the summary again and review the
13:56vocabulary list. If you are unsure about the meanings of any words in the vocabulary list,
14:04scan through the text to find them in the story and examine them in context. This will help you better
14:11understand the words. 5. Next, work through the comprehension questions to check your understanding
14:20of key events in the story. If you do not get them all correct, do not worry. Simply answering the
14:27questions will help you better understand the story. 6. At this point, you should have some
14:36understanding of the main events of the chapter. If not, you may wish to re-read the chapter a few
14:43times using the vocabulary list to check unknown words and phrases until you feel confident.
14:53Once you are ready and confident that you understand what has happened, whether it's after one reading of
14:59the chapter or several, move on to the next chapter and continue enjoying the story at your own pace just
15:08as you would any other book. Only once you have completed a story in its entirety should you consider
15:16Going back and studying the story language in more depth if you wish. Or, instead of worrying about
15:24understanding everything, take time to focus on everything that you have understood and congratulate yourself
15:30for all that you have done so far. Remember, the biggest benefits you will derive from this book
15:37will come from reading story after story through from beginning to end.
15:43If you can do that, you will be on your way to reading effectively in Brazilian Portuguese.
15:49Crazy Undercut
15:55Crazy Undercut
15:55Crazy Undercut
15:56Crazy Undercut
15:57Chapter 1
15:57Ready to travel
15:59Daniel, I'm here!
16:04Julia shouts.
16:05She is at the front door of the house.
16:08What is it, Julia?
16:11I ask.
16:12Let's go to Brazil today.
16:15You remember, right?
16:17Of course I remember.
16:18I'm packing my bags.
16:22My name is Daniel.
16:24I'm 24 years old.
16:26Julia is my sister.
16:28She is 23 years old.
16:31We are at university.
16:34We live in a house in London.
16:37Our parents are called Arthur and Sarabel.
16:41Julia and I are preparing for a trip.
16:46Let's go to Salvador, Brazil.
16:50We both studied Portuguese at university.
16:54We already know a lot, but we want to learn more.
16:58We are going to be exchange students this semester.
17:03I'm tall, almost 2 meters tall and I have brown hair.
17:09My eyes are green and I have a wide mouth.
17:13I am strong.
17:14My legs are strong because I spend many hours on the tennis court.
17:21I'm also a great basketball player.
17:25My sister Julia also has brown hair.
17:30Her hair is longer than mine.
17:33She doesn't have green eyes.
17:36She has brown eyes, like my father's.
17:39My eyes are the same color as my mother's.
17:45My father and mother work.
17:48My father is an electrician.
17:50He works for a large electricity company.
17:55My mother is a writer.
17:57She has her own company.
17:58She sells science fiction books.
18:01My parents are great.
18:05They always help us achieve our goals.
18:09They both speak Portuguese well.
18:13They usually speak to us in Portuguese.
18:16This helps us practice.
18:20They encouraged us to do this exchange.
18:23Let's go to Brazil today.
18:27My father enters my room.
18:30He looks at me in surprise.
18:32Why?
18:34Because I'm not ready.
18:36My father asks.
18:38Daniel, why aren't you ready yet?
18:42Ready?
18:42I just got up.
18:45I took a shower five minutes ago.
18:48I haven't dried myself yet.
18:51Hurry up.
18:51We don't have much time.
18:54I want to take you to the airport.
18:56And I also have to go to work.
18:59Don't worry, Dad.
19:01I'm getting ready now.
19:03Where is your sister?
19:05In her room.
19:08My father goes to my sister's room.
19:11He wants to talk to her.
19:13He comes in.
19:15Julia looks at him and asks.
19:18Hi, Dad.
19:19Do you need anything?
19:21Yes.
19:23Your brother is getting ready.
19:25This is for you.
19:28My father gives a wad of money to Julia.
19:32I want you to take this money.
19:34Julia is surprised and says.
19:38Dad, there's a lot of money here.
19:42Your mother and I saved that money.
19:46We want to pay for part of your trip to Brazil.
19:48Thank you, Dad.
19:50Thank you, Dad.
19:51It will be very useful.
19:53I'll tell Daniel.
19:57Julia and my father leave the room.
19:59But they don't see that I'm out there.
20:01My father tells me.
20:04Daniel, are you ready?
20:06Excellent.
20:08He points to the money.
20:11That money is for both of you.
20:14It's to help with the trip.
20:16Thank you, Dad.
20:19It will be very useful.
20:21I say.
20:22Julia smiles.
20:24Now we need to hurry.
20:27We have to go to the airport.
20:29Right after eating, we left the house.
20:36We go to the airport in my mother's car.
20:40Julia is very nervous.
20:42My mother says.
20:44Julia, are you okay?
20:47I'm very nervous.
20:49Why?
20:51I don't know anyone in Brazil.
20:53I only know Daniel.
20:54Don't worry, says my mother.
20:59There are many good people in Salvador.
21:03Mainly Armando, Daniel's friend.
21:07I know, mom.
21:09I'm sure you're right.
21:12But still, I'm nervous.
21:16What if something happens?
21:19Everything will be fine, says my father.
21:23At the airport, there are many people checking in.
21:27Many will travel for work.
21:31Some travel on vacation.
21:34I ask Julia.
21:37Are you calmer now?
21:39I am, Daniel.
21:41I was very nervous in the car.
21:44I know.
21:45But everything will be okay.
21:47My friend Armando is very cool.
21:49He always helps exchange students like us.
21:55Our parents hug us warmly.
21:59As we left, we said goodbye.
22:03We love you both, they say loudly.
22:06This was the last thing we heard.
22:11An hour later, our plane took off.
22:15We are on our way to Salvador.
22:20Chapter 1
22:21Revision
22:23Summary
22:25Daniel and Júlia are students.
22:30They live in London.
22:33They study Portuguese at university.
22:36They are going to Brazil today.
22:39They will be exchange students in Salvador.
22:42Their parents take them to the airport.
22:47Julia is very nervous inside the car.
22:51She calms down at the airport.
22:54She and Daniel travel to Brazil.
23:01Comprehension exercise.
23:06Mark only one answer for each question.
23:11Question 1
23:12Daniel and Julia live
23:15A. In the same house in London.
23:20Or B. In different houses in London.
23:27Correct answer.
23:30Letter A. In the same house in London.
23:35Question 2
23:36Julia and Daniel's parents
23:39A. They speak Portuguese, but they don't practice it with their children.
23:47Or B. They speak Portuguese and practice with their children.
23:53Correct answer.
23:56Letter B. They speak Portuguese and practice with their children.
24:01Question 3
24:05Daniel and Júlia's father gives them a gift for the trip.
24:10What is it?
24:11What is it?
24:11A. A car.
24:16Or B. Money.
24:20Correct answer.
24:22Correct answer.
24:23Letter B. Money.
24:27Question 4
24:29During the trip to the airport.
24:32Julia feels...
24:34A. Sad.
24:38B. Happy.
24:41C. Nervous.
24:44Or D. Afraid.
24:49Correct answer.
24:52Letter C. Nervous.
24:54Question 5
24:57At the airport.
25:01A. There are many friends of Daniel.
25:06Or B. There are many people traveling on business.
25:12Correct answer.
25:15Letter B. There are many people traveling on business.
25:19Chapter 2
25:24In Brazil
25:25Our plane arrives in Salvador.
25:31My friend Armando is waiting for us at the airport.
25:36Hi, Daniel.
25:37I'm so happy to see you here.
25:40He gives me a big hug.
25:44Hi, Armando.
25:45Nice to meet you.
25:46Armando looks at my sister.
25:51I introduce you.
25:54Armando, my friend.
25:56This is my sister Julia.
25:59Armando turns to Julia.
26:03He gives her two kisses and says...
26:06Hi, Julia.
26:08Nice to meet you.
26:11My sister is very shy.
26:13Especially when you meet strange people.
26:18Hello, Armando.
26:21She says and blushes.
26:25Then she keeps quiet.
26:28Your sister is really shy, isn't she?
26:32Armando comments, smiling.
26:36And truth.
26:37But you'll like her.
26:39Soon after, we go to Armando's apartment.
26:46We're going to stay there this semester.
26:50We took a taxi.
26:52After 45 minutes,
26:55we arrived in the center of Salvador.
26:57The taxi ride cost 81 reais and 50 cents.
27:05Armando says that the price is usually the same for this distance.
27:12We paid the taxi driver and got out of the car.
27:18It's June, but it's very hot.
27:21And a fresh wind blows.
27:23We arrived at the apartment at lunchtime.
27:30My sister and I are very hungry.
27:34I ask.
27:36Armando, where can we have lunch?
27:40There are two good restaurants in this area.
27:43What kind of food do they have?
27:48One of the restaurants,
27:50Crazy Bean Stew,
27:52has a wonderful feijoada.
27:54I recommend.
27:56You can go there by bus.
28:00The other one serves very good fish.
28:03It's right next door.
28:06Julia, do you want to eat feijoada?
28:09I ask her.
28:10Yes, I'm hungry.
28:15Armando can't go with us.
28:18He is a teacher and has to give a class.
28:22So, Júlia and I go to the Feijoada restaurant.
28:29It's a short walk to the bus stop.
28:33I ask Julia.
28:34Hmm, what now?
28:38Which bus goes to the Feijoada Maluca restaurant?
28:43I don't know.
28:45Let's ask.
28:47She points to a man in a white shirt.
28:52We approached him.
28:53He smiles and says.
28:57Hello, can I help you?
29:00Hey.
29:02How can we get to the Feijoada Maluca restaurant?
29:06I ask him.
29:08It's easy.
29:10The Lapa bus goes in that direction.
29:13Straight to the Crazy Feijoada.
29:15But there's a little problem.
29:19Which?
29:20I ask.
29:22This bus is usually crowded at this time.
29:26He is well.
29:28Thanks.
29:29We say.
29:31Julia and I talked as we walked to the bus stop.
29:37She doesn't like the idea of taking the bus.
29:40She says.
29:41Daniel, let's eat at the fish restaurant.
29:46I don't want to get on a crowded bus.
29:50I know.
29:51But wait a minute.
29:53I have an idea.
29:55I take the bus to Feijoada Maluca
29:58and you go to the fish restaurant.
30:02Why?
30:02Because this way we can compare the two restaurants.
30:09Ah, good idea.
30:11All good.
30:13Enjoy.
30:14I'll call your cell phone later.
30:17And then she walks away.
30:23I catch the next bus and sit down.
30:26I'm very tired.
30:29I start to fall asleep.
30:30The bus system in Salvador is not good.
30:35But I try not to worry.
30:39Shortly after, I wake up.
30:42The bus is stopped.
30:44There is no one on the bus except me and the driver.
30:51Excuse me, where are we?
30:54I ask.
30:55We arrived in Lauro de Freitas, says the driver.
31:01What?
31:02Lauro de Freitas?
31:04Are we in Lauro de Freitas?
31:07How can this be?
31:08Well, this is the shuttle bus.
31:13It runs the line between Salvador and Lauro de Freitas, he says.
31:18I don't believe.
31:22I got on the wrong bus.
31:24What am I going to do?
31:28I thank the driver and get off the bus.
31:33I pick up my cell phone to call my sister.
31:37But the cell phone doesn't turn on.
31:40The battery is dead.
31:43I look at my watch.
31:45It's a little after four in the afternoon.
31:48My sister doesn't know where I am.
31:53She must be very worried.
31:56I have to call her.
31:59I need to find a pay phone.
32:03I ask a woman on the street where there is a pay phone.
32:08There's one right there, she says, pointing.
32:14I thank the lady and go to the payphone.
32:18But when I get there, I remember that Julia's number is on my cell phone.
32:24I finally have a phone.
32:27But I can't use it because I don't have her number.
32:33And now?
32:36I think for a moment.
32:39I'm very hungry.
32:40I haven't eaten anything since breakfast.
32:45I decide to find a restaurant.
32:49I think about my problems later.
32:53I find a restaurant on the same street.
32:56The waiter comes to my table and says happily.
33:02Good afternoon.
33:04Good afternoon.
33:05What do you want to order?
33:08I quickly look at the menu and speak in Portuguese.
33:13I want the feijoada.
33:15As?
33:17I didn't understand.
33:19He says in Portuguese.
33:23I try again.
33:25My Portuguese can't be that bad.
33:28Hmm...
33:29I wanted the feijoada.
33:31And I keep pointing like crazy at the word feijoada on the menu.
33:37And then I speak in English again.
33:40The waiter smiles and says to me in English.
33:46Thanks.
33:47I'm not from here.
33:49I'm new here and my Portuguese is not very good.
33:54I start laughing out loud.
33:57Many people in the restaurant turn and look at me.
34:02I feel embarrassed.
34:05I didn't have to laugh so loud.
34:08But I don't care.
34:09That's it for today.
34:12This whole situation is very strange.
34:16My sister and I wanted to eat feijoada together.
34:22Now I'm here eating feijoada.
34:26But alone.
34:27And in Lauro de Freitas.
34:30And my sister doesn't know where I am.
34:33What irony.
34:35I finish dinner and pay the bill.
34:39And then it hit me.
34:42What do I do now?
34:45My cell phone doesn't work.
34:48There is a payphone.
34:50But I don't have my sister's number.
34:53What can I do?
34:54So, I remember.
34:58I can call London.
35:01I know my parents' home phone number.
35:04I go back to the payphone.
35:06I go back to the payphone.
35:08I call my parents' house.
35:12The phone rings four times.
35:16Finally, my mother answers.
35:18Hello?
35:20Hi, mom.
35:22This is Daniel.
35:24Daniel?
35:26All good?
35:28How is everything in Salvador?
35:30All good.
35:31Uh...
35:32Mother.
35:33I have a problem.
35:35What's wrong?
35:38Did something happen?
35:39No, mom.
35:42Nothing wrong happened.
35:45Can you call Julia?
35:48Tell her I'm in Lauro de Freitas
35:51and that my cell phone has no battery.
35:55In Lauro de Freitas?
35:57What are you doing in Lauro de Freitas?
36:00It's a long story, Mom.
36:04I'll tell you the details later.
36:08We finished our conversation.
36:11I decide to look for a room in a hotel.
36:15There's one at the end of the street.
36:18I'm going back to Salvador tomorrow.
36:21Right now, I need to sleep.
36:25I pay the daily rate in cash.
36:27I don't have any credit cards with me.
36:32I'm going to the room.
36:35I take off my clothes and lie down on the bed.
36:39I turn off the light and go to sleep.
36:42I'm really very tired.
36:45What a crazy day!
36:50Chapter 2
36:51Revision
36:52Summary
36:54Daniel and Júlia arrive in Salvador.
37:00Daniel's friend, Armando,
37:03meets them at the airport.
37:07Everyone goes to Armando's apartment.
37:10Daniel and Julia are hungry.
37:15Armando suggests two restaurants.
37:17Julia walks to a fish restaurant.
37:23Daniel takes a bus and goes to a feijoada restaurant.
37:30Daniel sleeps on the bus and wakes up in Lauro de Freitas.
37:34His cell phone is not working.
37:40He doesn't know his sister's phone number.
37:44Finally, he calls their mother.
37:49Afterwards, he spends the night in a hotel.
37:51Comprehension exercise.
38:00Mark only one answer for each question.
38:05Question 6
38:07Armando is...
38:08THE
38:10A friend of Daniel
38:12Or B
38:15A friend of Julia
38:17Correct answer
38:20Letter A
38:22A friend of Daniel
38:24Question 7
38:28In Salvador
38:30The weather is...
38:33THE
38:33Warm
38:34Or B
38:37Neither hot nor cold
38:40Correct answer
38:43Letter A
38:45Warm
38:46Question 8
38:49Daniel and Julia
38:51go from the airport to...
38:54THE
38:55The apartment of a friend of Armando
38:58Or
39:00B
39:01Armando's apartment
39:03Correct answer
39:06Letter B
39:08Armando's apartment
39:10Question 9
39:13Daniel cannot make contact with his sister
39:17why...
39:20THE
39:20Your cell phone is out of battery
39:23Or
39:25B
39:26He forgot to take his cell phone
39:29Correct answer
39:32Letter A
39:34Your cell phone is out of battery
39:37Question 10
39:40Daniel spends the night...
39:44THE
39:45In a hotel in Lauro de Freitas
39:48Or...
39:49G
39:51I hope you come
39:52THE
39:53Continued
39:53THE
39:53THE
39:54THE
39:55THE
39:55THE
39:55THE
39:57THE
39:57THE
39:58THE
39:58THE
39:59THE
39:59And there