Crazy Paella
Chapter 1 – Getting Ready
‘Daniel, I’m here!’ Julia calls. She is at the front door of the house.
‘What is it, Julia?’ I reply.
‘We’re going to Spain today! You remembered, right?’
‘Of course I did. I’m packing!’ I call.
My name is Daniel. I’m 24 years old. Julia is my sister. She is 23. We’re
both at university. We share a house in London. Our parents are Arthur and
Sarah Bell.
Julia and I are getting ready for a trip. We’re going to Barcelona, Spain.
We’re both earning degrees in Spanish. We already know a lot of the
language, but we want to learn more. We’re going to be
exchange students
this term.
I’m tall, about six feet. I have longish brown hair. My eyes are green and
I have a wide mouth. I have a strong build. My legs are strong due to hours
on the tennis courts. I’m a very good basketball player as well.
My sister Julia also has brown hair. Her hair is longer than mine. She
doesn’t have green eyes. She has brown eyes like my dad. I have the same
colour eyes as my mum.
My parents both work. My dad is an
electrician. He works for a major
electric company. My mum is a writer. She also owns a company. It sells
science fiction books.
My parents are really great. They always help us to reach our goals. They
both speak Spanish well. They often speak to us in Spanish. It helps Julia
and I practise. They really encouraged us to become exchange students. We
are leaving for Spain today.
My dad comes in my room. He looks at me in surprise. Why? Because
I’m not dressed. ‘Daniel! Why aren’t you dressed?’ Dad asks.
‘Dressed? I just got up. I had a
dry yet!’
shower five minutes ago. I’m not even
‘Come on! We don’t have much time. I want to take you to the
But I have to go to work, too.’
‘Don’t worry, Dad. I’m getting dressed now.’
‘Where’s your sister?’
‘She’s in her room.’
airport.
My dad goes into my sister’s room. He wants to talk to her. He enters and
Julia looks at him. ‘Oh, hi, Dad. Do you need something?’ asks Julia.
‘Yes. Your brother’s getting dressed. Here.’ My dad gives Julia a
wad of
cash. ‘I want you to both have this.’
Julia is surprised. ‘Dad! There’s a lot of money here!’ she says.
‘Your mother and I have saved this money. We want to pay for part of
your trip to Spain.’
‘Thanks, Dad!’ says my sister. ‘It will be very useful. I’m going to tell
Daniel!’
Julia turns to leave. She almost runs into me. She and Dad didn’t notice
that I was coming in. My dad sees me. ‘Oh, Daniel, you’re here!’ he says.
‘And you’re dressed! Great!’
My dad points to the money. ‘That money is for the two of you. It’s to
help with the trip.’
‘Thanks, Dad. It’ll be really helpful,’ I reply.
Julia smiles.
‘Now we must get ready,’ Dad says. ‘We have to leave for the airport!
Come on!’
Shortly after we eat, we leave the house. We
head for the airport in
Mum’s car. Julia is very
nervous.
‘Julia,’ Mum says, ‘are you all right?’
‘I’m really nervous,’ Julia answers.
‘Why?’
‘I don’t know anybody in Spain. I’ll only know Daniel.’
‘Don’t worry,’ Mum replies. ‘There are a lot of very nice people in
Barcelona. Especially Daniel’s friend Armando.’
‘Yes, Mum. I’m sure you’re right. But I still feel nervous … What if
something happens?’
‘It will be all right,’ says Dad.
At the airport there are lots of people
checking in. Many of them are
travelling for work. Some are travelling for fun. I go over to Julia. Then I
ask, ‘Are you more
relaxed now?’
‘Yes, Daniel. I was really nervous in the car.’
‘Yes, I know. But everything’s going to be fine. My friend Armando is
really nice. He often helps exchange students like us.’
Our parents
hug us warmly. We all wave goodbye as Julia and I leave.
‘We love you both!’ they call. That’s the final thing we hear. An hour later,
our plane
takes off. We are headed for Barcelona!
Chapter 1 Review
Summary
Daniel and Julia are students. They live in London. They study Spanish at
university. They are going to Spain today. They will be exchange students
in Barcelona. Their parents take them to the airport. Julia is very nervous in
the car. She relaxes at the airport. She and Daniel leave for Spain.
Vocabulary
exchange student a student studying in another area or country
electrician someone whose job is to put in or repair electrical equipment
science fiction stories that take place in an imagined future or in other parts
of the universe
shower a piece of bathroom equipment that produces a flow of water that
you stand under to wash yourself
airport a place where passengers get on and off aircraft
wad of cash a pile of paper money
head for (slang) go to
nervous worried or frightened
check in (for a flight) to tell the people at an airport that you have arrived
relaxed feeling calm, comfortable and not worried
hug to put your arms around someone and hold them
take off when an aeroplane leaves the ground and goes up into the air
Comprehension Questions
Select one answer only for each question.
1) Daniel and Julia live in .
a. the same house in London
b. different houses in London
c. the same house in Barcelona
d. different houses in Barcelona
2) Daniel and Julia’s parents .
a. speak Spanish, but they don’t practise with their children
b. speak Spanish and practise with their children
c. don’t speak Spanish
d. don’t live in London
3) Daniel and Julia’s father gives them a present for the trip. What is it?
a. a car
b. a trip to the airport
c. a science fiction book
d. money
4) During the trip to the airport, Julia feels . a. sad b. happy c. nervous d. frightened 5) At the airport, there .
a. are a lot of Daniel’s friends
b. are a lot of businesspeople
c. aren’t many people
d. are a lot of childre
