Friday the 25th of April, 2025

Simply traslate into English then scroll down for suggested solutions.  Good Luck!

Ich treffe mich diese Woche mit Elfie auf einen Kaffee.  

In einem Kaffeehaus in Hietzing. 

Café Otto.  

Ich treffe Elfie gerne.  

Elfie hat viele Geschichten zu erzählen.  

Als sie jung war, hat Elfie in einer Frauenfußballmannschaft gespielt. 

Das ist viele Jahre her. 

Jetzt ist Elfie im Ruhestand.  

Aber Elfie ist immer noch sehr aktiv. 

Elfie liebt es zu reisen.  

Letzte Woche kam Elfie aus Kroatien zurück. 

Letztes Jahr war Elfie sehr, sehr beschäftigt. 

Sie hat viele Reisen ins Ausland unternommen. 

Mombasa, Türkei, Kanada und Schottland. 

Dieses Jahr bleibt Elfie in Wien. 

Sie muss ihr Buch fertig schreiben. 

Ein Buch über Nähen und Stricken.  

Elfie hat immer sehr viel zu tun.

I'm meeting Elfie for a coffee this week.  In a coffee house in Hietzing. Café Otto.  I enjoy meeting Elfie.  Elfie has  many stories to tell.  When she was young, Elfie played for a women's football team. That was many years ago. Now, Elfie's retired.  But, Elfie's still very active. Elfie loves travelling.  Last week, Elfie came back from Croatia. Last year, Elfie was very, very busy. She had many trips abroad. Mombasa, Turky, Canada, and Scotland. This year, Elfie is staying in Vienna. She must finish writing her book. A book about sewing and knitting.  Elfie always has very much to do. 

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Farmer Ken- The Farm at Lane's End - Chapter 41 (with German Translation)

Vocabulary and Phrases

For the life of me is another way of saying "Oh, my god"

Perish the thought means this is a terrible idea.

Plain jane - A plain jane is a boring unexciting girl.

To read is a synonym for to study.  At Oxbridge one reads not studies. Both the same meaning.

If you hit it off with someone is another way of saying you will get on well with that person. Become good friends.

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ANd, now to our story -

It's 7 o'clock in the morning.  Outside it is still very cold.  A typical late April morning. Farmer Ken and Dave have just come in from milking the cows. Their is a delicious smell of sizzling bacon and eggs.   Jean, too, has been busy. The Bartons are enjoying their breakfast.

I say, Dave and Ken, you'll never guess who I bumped into in the village yesterday.

Who did you bump into mum?   

Well, I had just come out of the post office. and there she was.  Anne Cooper.  

Who's Anne Cooper, mum?

She was one of my best friends at school.  We really got on well together. I think I was her only friend in those days.

Why was that, mum?

Anne was not very popular.  She was always a bit of a plain jain. She never spoke much, and she never showed any interest in what was going on.

Then, why were you such good friends, mum?

Well, I knew Anne better than most people did.   My mum and Anne's mum were best friends.  And, Anne often came to play after school. In fact, Anne and I  had a lot of great fun together. At school, Anne was plain and boring. After school she was a completely different girl.

What was she like, Jean?

Anne was mainly interested in reading. We often used to talk about the books we had read. Of course, Anne read far more than I did.  And, in some ways, I think that's  why she was such a boring girl. Her world was her books.

And, what happened to Jane?

After leaving school, she went up to Oxford to read classics. And, I'm sure she did well. 

And, when was the  last time you saw her, mum?

For the life of me, Dave,  I can't remember. It must be at least 20 years.

And, when are you seeing her again, mum?   In another 20 years?

Persih the thought! That's a terrible idea. I don't want to wait that long. In fact,Anne and her husband are coming for dinner next Saturday. 

That's great, Jean. Anne actually sounds like a very intersting person. I can't wait to meet her.

And, can I invite Clair, mum?

Of course, Dave. I'm sure Clair and Anne will hit it off very well. Would anyone like another cup of tea?

Yes please, mum.  And another round of toast and marmalade, please.

And, the same for me, too, please.

You two can never stop eating.  And, guess what I'm baking this afternoon.

A chocolate cake, mum.

No, don't be silly, It's not your birthday, Dave. I'm baking a cherry cake.

What a surprise.

Questions

What had Dave and Ken been doing?

What was the weather like?

What was the nice smell coming from the kitchen?

What was Jean cooking?

Who did Jean bump into in the village?

Did Jean and Anne go to school together?

Were Anne and Jean best friends?

When are Anne and her husband coming for dinner?

What did Anne read at Oxford?

Please put "perish the thought" in a sentence.

German Translation

Es ist 7 Uhr morgens.  Draußen ist es noch sehr kalt.  Ein typischer Morgen im späten April. Farmer Ken und Dave kommen gerade vom Melken der Kühe herein. Es riecht köstlich nach brutzelndem Speck und Eiern.   Auch Jean war fleißig. Die Bartons lassen sich ihr Frühstück schmecken.

Ich sage, Dave und Ken, ihr werdet nie erraten, wen ich gestern im Dorf getroffen habe.

Wen hast du getroffen, Mama?   

Nun, ich kam gerade aus dem Postamt und da war sie.  Anne Cooper.  

Wer ist Anne Cooper, Mum?

Sie war eine meiner besten Freundinnen in der Schule.  Wir haben uns wirklich gut verstanden. Ich glaube, ich war damals ihr einziger Freund.

Warum war das so, Mum?

Anne war nicht sehr beliebt.  Sie war immer ein bisschen wie ein langweilig (a plain a Sie hat nie viel geredet, und sie hat sich nie dafür interessiert, was passiert ist.

Warum wart ihr dann so gute Freunde, Mama?

Nun, ich kannte Anne besser als die meisten Leute.   Meine Mutter und Annes Mutter waren beste Freundinnen.  Und Anne kam oft nach der Schule zum Spielen. Anne und ich hatten sehr viel Spaß zusammen. In der Schule war Anne schlicht und langweilig. Nach der Schule war sie ein ganz anderes Mädchen.

Wie war sie denn so, Jean?

Anne interessierte sich vor allem für das Lesen. Wir haben uns oft über die Bücher unterhalten, die wir gelesen hatten. Natürlich hat Anne viel mehr gelesen als ich.  Und in gewisser Weise war sie deshalb ein langweiliges Mädchen. Ihre Welt waren ihre Bücher.

Und was geschah mit Anne?

Nach der Schule ging sie nach Oxford, um Literaturwissenschaft zu studieren Und ich bin sicher, sie war gut. 

Und wann hast du sie das letzte Mal gesehen, Mum?

Das weiß ich beim besten Willen nicht mehr, Dave. Es muss mindestens 20 Jahre her sein.

Und wann siehst du sie wieder, Mum?   In weiteren 20 Jahren?

Perish the thought (Gottes Willen)  Das ist eine schreckliche Idee. So lange will ich nicht warten. Jane und ihr Mann kommen nächsten Samstag zum Essen. 

Das ist großartig, Jean. Jane scheint eine sehr interessante Person zu sein. Ich kann es kaum erwarten, sie kennenzulernen.

Und kann ich Clair einladen, Mama?

Natürlich, Dave. Ich bin sicher, Clair und Anne werden sich sehr gut verstehen. Möchte noch jemand eine Tasse Tee?

Ja, bitte, Mum.  Und noch eine Runde Toast mit Marmelade, bitte.

Und für mich dasselbe, bitte.

Ihr zwei könnt nie aufhören zu essen.  Und ratet mal, was ich heute Nachmittag backen werde.

Einen Schokoladenkuchen, Mutti.

Nein, sei nicht albern. Du hast nicht Geburtstag, Ken. Ich backe einen Kirschkuchen.

Was für eine Überraschung.

Fragen  - Was hatten Dave und Ken gemacht?   -  Wie war das Wetter?  - Was für ein schöner Geruch kam aus der Küche?  - Was hat Jean gekocht?  - Wen hat Jean im Dorf getroffen? - Gingen Jean und Anne zusammen zur Schule?  -  Waren Anne und Jean beste Freunde?   - Wann kommen Anne und ihr Mann zum Abendessen?  - Was hat Anne in Oxford studiert?    Bitte fügen Sie "perish the thought" in einen Satz ein. 

 

Sunday the 21st of April, 2025

Simply translate into English, then scroll down for suggested solutions.  Good Luck!

Es ist Ostermontag.  

Wir haben ein sehr schönes Osterfest gehabt.   

Am Gründonnerstag hatten wir ein sehr gutes Mittagessen.  

Spinat, gekochte Kartoffeln und Spiegeleier.   

Am Karfreitag bin ich wie immer zur Arbeit gegangen.  

Ostersamstag war ein sehr ruhiger Tag.  

Meine Frau ging einkaufen. 

Sie war den ganzen Tag weg.  

Am Ostersonntag gab es ein besonderes Osterfrühstück.   

Osterschinken, hart gekochte Eier und Kren. 

Nach dem Frühstück sind wir in die Kirche gegangen. 

Ein freudiger Anlass. 

Eine sehr alte Tradition. 

Und natürlich sehr viel Schokolade. 

Ostereier und Osterhasen. 

Ich mag Ostern sehr.

It's Easter Monday.  We've had a very nice Easter.   On Maundy Thursday we had a very nice lunch.  Spinach, boiled potatoes, and fried eggs.   I went to work as usual on Good Friday.  Easter Saturday was a very quiet day.  My wife went shopping. She was gone all day.  We had a special  Easter breakfast on Easter Day.   Easter ham, hard boiled eggs, and horseradish. We  went to church after breakfast. A joyful occasion. A very old tradition. And, of course, very much chocolate. Easter eggs and Easter bunnies. I really like Easter.

 

Friday the 11th of April, 2025

Simply translate into English then scroll down for suggested solutions.  Good Luck!

Gregor ist sehr glücklich.  

Er freut sich auf Ostern.  

Ganz viel Schokolade.  

Ostereier und Osterhasen.  

Letztes Jahr hat Gregor seiner Frau ein sehr schönes Ostergeschenk gemacht. 

Einen neuen Küchenbesen.  

Gregor war sehr überrascht.  

Seine Frau kam sehr schnell mit dem neuen Küchenbesen zurecht.  

Gregors Frau ist eine sehr begabte Putzfrau.  

Jetzt, ein Jahr später, ist Gregors Frau immer noch sehr glücklich mit ihrem Besen.  

Was wird Gregor seiner Frau dieses Jahr schenken?  

Wir müssen abwarten und sehen.  

Aber, Gregor hat ein Problem.  

Was kann besser sein als ein Küchenbesen? 

Vielleicht ein Diamantring.

Gregor is very happy.  He is looking forward to Easter.  Lots of chocolate.  Easter eggs and Easter bunnies.  Last year, Gregor gave his wife a very nice Easter present. A new kitchen broom.  Gregor was very surprised.  His wife very quickly got the hang of her new kitchen broom.  Gregor's wife is a very talented cleaner.  Now, one year later, Gregor's wife is still very happy with her broom.  What is Gregor giving his wife this year?  We must wait and see.  But, Gregor has a problem.  What can be better than a kitchen broom?  Maybe a diamond ring.

 

Thursday the 3rd of April, 2025

 

Simply translate into English, then scroll down for suggested solutions.  Have Fun!

Heute Abend werden wir ins Theater gehen.  

Ein Stück von Arthur Miller.  

Meine Frau ist ein Fan von Arthur Miller. 

Ich mag Arthur Miller auch.  

Wir müssen uns bald fertig machen.  

Ich muss meine Schuhe putzen.  

Ich muss auch die Schuhe meiner Frau putzen.  

Schuhe putzen ist mein Job.  

Meine Frau ist im Keller.  

In der Waschküche.  

Sie bügelt.  

Sie bügelt mir ein Hemd. 

Meine Frau und ich teilen uns die Hausarbeit.  

Ich mache 20%.  

Meine Frau macht 80 %.  

Wir sind sehr glücklich.

This evening, we're going to the theatre.  A play by Arthur Miller.  My wife is an Arthur Miller fan. I like Arthur Miller as well.  Soon, we must get ready.  I must clean my shoes.  I must also clean my wife's shoes.  Cleaning shoes is my job.  My wife is in the cellar.  In the laundry room.  She is doing the ironing.  She is ironing me a shirt. My wife and I share the housework.  I do 20%.  My wife does 80%.  We are very happy.

The Farm at Lane's End - Chapter 40

The Farm at Lane's End is the story of English country life.  Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and their son Dave.  In chapter 40, Dave is telling his parents all about the party he went to the night before.

Vocabulary

The bee's knees - This is an idiom.  It means an outstanding person or thing. 

Second to none is another was of saying the best.

Don't be so cocky means don't be so over confident (arrogant).

Over the moon.  If you are over the moon you are overly (very/very) happy.

And now to our story.  The Farm at Lane's End, chapter 40

How was the party you went to last night, Dave?

I have to say, mum and dad, it was one of the best parties I've ever been to.  It was magic.  Mike and Alison did a great job. They were the perfect hosts.

Tell us more, Dave.  Spill the beans.

The food was brilliant.  Alsion made Beef Wellington. Yumie, yumie. It was the best I'd ever, ever had.  The cocktails Mike served were second to none, And the discussions we had were fantastic.

What was discussed, Dave?

Really high things, dad. Mainly philosophy, art, and books. Things you wouldn't understand, dad.

Don't be so cocky, Dave. You should never underestimate people. Life is full of surprises.  Be careful what you say. 

And, what was Claire wearing, Dave?

Claire, she was fantastic.  She was the bee's knees.  She wore a dress she had made herself.  Beautiful yellows and blues, and her bag was the one I bought her in Paris.  Claire was the most beautiful woman at the party. 

And, what did you give Alison and Mike?

We gave them a book about French gardens. 

And, did they like it?

They were over the moon!  They're  into all things French.  

And, would you be in for a nice cup of tea, Dave?

Yes please, mum. And, if you have it, a nice slice of cherry cake, too.

Questions

Why was Claire the bee's knees?   Please describe Claire's dress.  Was Claire's dress homemade?  What did Alsion serve for main course?  Was Dave happy with the cocktails?  Why did Ken tell Dave off?  Why is it bad to be cocky?  Was Claire's bag Italian?  What did Claire and Dave give Alison and Mike?  Why were Alison and Mike over the moon with Claire's and Dave's present?  Why are French gardens so beautiful?  Why are English gardens the best in world?

Easy Text from Lexmatica

St. Paul's School in Toorington.

We have been to the pub, we have gone to church, we have spent time on Cherry Tree Farm; and now we are going to school.

St. Paul's school is a primary school.  The school has 4 classes. Class 1 for 5 year olds, Class 2 for 6 year olds, class 3 for 7 year olds, and class 4 for the oldest children.  In England, children start school when they are 5.

Mr.  Gaylor is the headmaster of St. Paul's, Mrs Hemmings teaches class 4, Mrs Roberts teaches class 3, Mr. Ludlow teaches class 2, and Miss. Glegg teaches class 1.  Each class has around 23 children. 

St. Paul's school uniform consists of grey short trousers for boys and a grey skirt for girls.  Long grey socks for boys and long white socks for girls. White shirts for boys and  white blouses for girls. The school tie is worn by boys and girls.  It is orange with yellow stripes. Every child must have a school blazer. St. Paul's blazer is blue.  St. Paul's school badge must be sewn onto the breast pocket.  The school uniform is compulsory. It must be worn all year round.  Summer and winter. 

In England, school starts everyday at 9 o clock. The school assembly starts each day.  The whole school meets in the school hall. 15 minutes of  hymns, prayers, and a short speech by the headmaster. There are 2 lessons in the morning and 2 in the afternoon.  The children come out at 4 o clock. 

The highlight of every school year is sport's day.  Next time, we're going to the games.

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