Summer Holidays in Portuguese (A2 Reading)

Tiago tells you about his favourite time of year, the summer holidays. This A2 reading follows him from lazy mornings to beach days and a family trip in August, all in the present tense.

What you’ll learn

vocabulary for summer holidays and the beach
present tense verbs for everyday activities
time expressions like durante as férias and no mês de agosto

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Texto

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No verão, não tenho aulas e posso aproveitar as férias para descansar e divertir-me com a minha família e os meus amigos.In summer, I don't have classes and I can make the most of the holidays to rest and have fun with my family and my friends.

Durante as férias, gosto de acordar mais tarde, tomar o pequeno-almoço com calma e passar tempo ao ar livre.During the holidays, I like to wake up later, have breakfast calmly and spend time outdoors. Normalmente, vou à praia com os meus pais.Normally, I go to the beach with my parents. Levo a toalha, o chapéu e o protetor solar.I take the towel, the hat and the sunscreen. Na praia, gosto de nadar no mar, jogar à bola e construir castelos de areia.At the beach, I like to swim in the sea, play ball and build sandcastles.

Alguns dias também vou à piscina ou passeio de bicicleta com os meus amigos.Some days I also go to the swimming pool or ride my bike with my friends. À tarde, gosto de ler, ouvir música e brincar com a minha irmã.In the afternoon, I like to read, listen to music and play with my sister.

No mês de agosto, a minha família costuma fazer uma viagem.In August, my family usually goes on a trip. Visitamos lugares novos, tiramos muitas fotografias e provamos comidas diferentes.We visit new places, take lots of photographs and try different foods.

Eu adoro as férias de verão porque posso descansar, estar com as pessoas que gosto e fazer atividades divertidas.I love summer holidays because I can rest, be with the people I like and do fun activities.

Vocabulário

Key words from this text. Hide a column to test yourself.

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as férias: the holidays
a praia: the beach
o protetor solar: the sunscreen
a toalha: the towel
nadar: to swim
construir castelos de areia: to build sandcastles
a piscina: the swimming pool
passear de bicicleta: to ride a bike, to go cycling
a viagem: the trip
provar: to taste, to try

Perguntas

Answer out loud in Portuguese, then check.

English

1. Quando é que o Tiago tem férias?

When does Tiago have his holidays?

O Tiago tem férias no verão.

Tiago has his holidays in the summer.

2. O que faz o Tiago durante as férias?

What does Tiago do during the holidays?

Durante as férias, o Tiago descansa e diverte-se com a família e os amigos.

During the holidays, Tiago rests and has fun with his family and friends.

3. Com quem vai à praia?

Who does he go to the beach with?

Ele vai à praia com os pais.

He goes to the beach with his parents.

4. O que leva o Tiago para a praia?

What does Tiago take to the beach?

Ele leva a toalha, o chapéu e o protetor solar.

He takes a towel, a hat and sun cream.

5. O que gosta de fazer no mar?

What does he like doing in the sea?

Ele gosta de nadar no mar.

He likes swimming in the sea.

6. O que faz com os amigos?

What does he do with his friends?

Com os amigos, vai à piscina ou passeia de bicicleta.

With his friends, he goes to the pool or rides his bike.

7. O que faz a família do Tiago no mês de agosto?

What does Tiago's family do in August?

No mês de agosto, a família faz uma viagem.

In August, the family goes on a trip.

8. Porque é que o Tiago gosta das férias de verão?

Why does Tiago like the summer holidays?

Porque pode descansar, estar com as pessoas que gosta e fazer atividades divertidas.

Because he can rest, be with the people he likes and do fun things.

Exercício

Try it yourself, then check.

English

Completa as frases com o verbo no presente

1. O Tiago ______ à praia com os pais. [ir]

Tiago ______ to the beach with his parents. [to go]

vai

goes

2. No verão, eu não ______ aulas. [ter]

In summer, I don't ______ classes. [to have]

tenho

have

3. Na praia, ele ______ no mar e joga à bola. [nadar]

At the beach, he ______ in the sea and plays ball. [to swim]

nada

swims

4. À tarde, o Tiago e a irmã ______ juntos. [brincar]

In the afternoon, Tiago and his sister ______ together. [to play]

brincam

play

5. Em agosto, a família ______ uma viagem. [fazer]

In August, the family ______ on a trip. [to go]

faz

goes

6. Nas viagens, nós ______ muitas fotografias. [tirar]

On our trips, we ______ lots of photographs. [to take]

tiramos

take

Nota cultural

In Portugal, the school year ends in June and does not start again until September, so summer holidays last close to three months. August is the classic month for family travel, when many workplaces close and the country empties toward the coast. The Algarve and the beaches near Lisbon and Porto fill with families doing exactly what Tiago describes, building sandcastles and swimming in the sea.

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