6 the 109
Read the paragraphs (a-f) of the text and put them in
order.
Learning a Language
a) “No wonder you can't do your homework,” mama said.
“You put it off until you're too tired. You'll never
learn anything if you work like that.”
That was exactly what I felt and I began crying. “I do
try,” I cried, “but I'm not able to learn French!”
“Of course you can do it,” said mama. “Look, if I help
you...” But I shouted, "No."
Mama smiled and said, "Well, I don't think you'll be
able to do any homework today. I have to buy some fish
for supper. Come with me and get some fresh air.”
b) "All right,” I said. We stayed for a while longer because
it was such a pleasant place to be.
“Nice to go out to tea with my daughter,” said mama
at last and smiled. I smiled back.
The bill came and we understood there was not enough
money left for fish, but it did not matter.
After this the work did not seem quite so bad.
c) My name is Anna and now I am living in Paris which is
a beautiful city. We moved here half a year ago. I go
to a French school and have to learn French. I find it
very difficult. And we usually have a lot of homework
to do each day. History and geography teachers tell us
to learn texts by heart and to write essays, we also do
grammar exercises and all that in a language which
I still don't understand.
d) We sat down at one of the little tables.
“Look,” said mama. "I know it's difficult for you and
I know you're tired. But what can we do? We're living
in France and you have to learn French.”
“I get so tired," I said, "and I'm getting worse instead
of getting better. I think I'm just one of those people
who can't learn languages.”
“That's nonsense, Anna,” mama said. “You have done
very well so far. And you will learn French, I know you
will. I'll tell you what we'll do. It's only two months
till Christmas. Will you try just once more? If you feel
you still can't manage by Christmas, we'll do something
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