Reading - The Perfect Friday Evening

Read the text and complete the activities below.

Working in a big city like São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro can be very stressful. From Monday to Thursday, people usually go straight home after leaving the office. However, February is different. Because of the pre-Carnival season, the streets are alive with music and food stalls every Friday evening.

Last week, my colleagues and I decided to skip our usual coffee shop and go to a local street festival near the office. When we arrived at 6:30 PM, the street was already packed with people. The atmosphere was incredible! There were food trucks selling everything from traditional tapioca to gourmet burgers, and a small band was setting up their instruments on a temporary stage.

I bought a cold craft beer and a slice of pizza. My coworker, Sarah, doesn't drink alcohol, so she got a fresh juice. We spent three hours standing, talking about life outside of work, and listening to great samba. It was exactly what we needed to unwind. Sometimes, the best way to forget about emails and deadlines is to share a simple moment with good company in the middle of the city.

ACTIVITIES

Activity 1: Comprehension Questions

Choose the correct option based on the text.

1. Why is February different for office workers in the text?
Select an answer... a) Because they work fewer hours. b) Because they stay at home to rest. c) Because there are street festivals with music and food.

2. What time did the author and their colleagues arrive at the festival?
Select an answer... a) Exactly at midnight. b) At half past six in the evening. c) In the morning before work.

3. What did the author have to eat and drink?
Select an answer... a) A gourmet burger and fresh juice. b) Traditional tapioca and water. c) A slice of pizza and craft beer.

4. According to the author, what is the best way to forget about work?
Select an answer... a) Checking emails on your phone. b) Sharing a simple moment with friends in the city. c) Going straight home to sleep.

Activity 2: Vocabulary Match

Match the bold words from the text to their definitions.

1. Colleagues matches with:
Select... A. Small shops or tables where people sell food/drinks. B. To relax and reduce stress after a busy period. C. Extremely full of people; crowded. D. The mood or feeling of a place. E. People you work with.

2. Packed matches with:
Select... A. Small shops or tables where people sell food/drinks. B. To relax and reduce stress after a busy period. C. Extremely full of people; crowded. D. The mood or feeling of a place. E. People you work with.

3. Stalls matches with:
Select... A. Small shops or tables where people sell food/drinks. B. To relax and reduce stress after a busy period. C. Extremely full of people; crowded. D. The mood or feeling of a place. E. People you work with.

4. Unwind matches with:
Select... A. Small shops or tables where people sell food/drinks. B. To relax and reduce stress after a busy period. C. Extremely full of people; crowded. D. The mood or feeling of a place. E. People you work with.

5. Atmosphere matches with:
Select... A. Small shops or tables where people sell food/drinks. B. To relax and reduce stress after a busy period. C. Extremely full of people; crowded. D. The mood or feeling of a place. E. People you work with.