A Young Couple's Life in the USA

Source: rong-chang.com

On a Sunday morning in California, Maria woke up early at eight o’clock and began to clean her face. She liked to make breakfast, especially pancakes and eggs, and she tried to wake Mike, who liked to stay in bed. Maria shook his pillow and told him it was time to eat, and finally Mike got up because he could not resist her pancakes. He closed the bright window, poured a glass of orange juice, and sat at the kitchen table. While they ate, Maria and Mike talked together and enjoyed the simple breakfast.

breakfast

Definition: The morning meal that Maria prepares to wake Mike up.
Example: Maria made pancakes and eggs for breakfast to get Mike out of bed.

pancakes

Definition: The flat, round cakes that Maria cooks, which Mike cannot refuse.
Example: “I’m making pancakes, your favorite,” Maria said.

sunlight

Definition: The bright light from the sun that shines through the window and blinds Mike.
Example: The sun peered through the window and blinded him.

shutters

Definition: The window coverings Mike closes to block the bright sunlight.
Example: He closed the shutters to block the sunlight.

early

Definition: Describing Maria’s habit of waking up at the start of the day.
Example: Maria loved to wake up early in the morning and cook breakfast.

What time did the clock strike when the story began?

six o’clock
seven o’clock
eight o’clock
nine o’clock

Which task was Maria doing immediately after waking up?

Brushing her teeth
Cleaning eye boogers from her eyes
Brewing coffee
Reading the newspaper

What foods did Maria say she would cook for Mike?

Waffles and bacon
Pancakes and eggs
Oatmeal and toast
Cereal and fruit

How did Mike try to remain asleep when Maria tried to wake him?

He turned on the television
He covered his face with a pillow
He drank coffee
He opened the window

What drink did Mike serve himself at the kitchen table?

Coffee
Milk
Orange juice
Tea

Do you think Maria’s way of waking Mike with breakfast is a good idea? Why or why not?
Have you ever tried to wake someone up by offering them food? Share what happened.
Why does Mike close the shutters when the sunlight blinds him? What does this tell us about his character?
What might have happened if Mike had decided to stay in bed and not eat breakfast?
Is it better to have breakfast together with someone or to eat alone? Explain your opinion.
Should a partner always give up their sleep to make breakfast for the other? Why or why not?
Imagine the next Sunday morning, what new dish could Maria cook for breakfast?
If you could add one more food to their breakfast table, what would it be and why?
Why do you think the story says Maria makes “the best pancakes in the world”? What effect does this have on the story?
Which character do you feel more like, Maria or Mike? Explain your choice.

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100

2 years, 3 months and 12 days ago Level: Intermediate (B1)

Mike and Maria

It was a Sunday morning at Mike and Maria's house. The clock had just struck eight. Maria had awoken from bed and was cleaning out the eye boogers from her eyes. Mike was still sound asleep.

It was another beautiful day in the state of California. Maria loved to wake up early in the morning and cook breakfast. Mike, on the other hand, would much rather sleep in. Maria made sure to wake up Mike by offering him a home-cooked breakfast Mike could never refuse. "Wake up, Mike. It's time to rise and shine," she said, shaking him back and fourth. Mike covered his face with a pillow and let out a long groan. "It's too early, Maria. Can't we keep sleeping?" he asks. "It's Sunday for goodness sake!" Maria pulls the pillow from his face and taps his face with her hand. "Come on! Wake up! I'm going to cook breakfast. I'm making pancakes and eggs, your favorite," she says to Mike, hoping to get him out of bed. Mike reluctantly gets out of bed and walks to the kitchen. He could not say no to pancakes for breakfast. Maria made the best pancakes in the world. He was indifferent about eggs. Maria did not know about this.

The sun peered through the window and blinded him. He closed the shutters to block the sunlight. Maria began to cook, while Mike served himself a tall glass of orange juice. Mike sat down at the kitchen table and let out a big yawn. Unlike Maria, he was not an early bird. Maria finished cooking the eggs and pancakes, and served both herself and Mike the food. She sat down with Mike and had a conversation while eating breakfast.