🇰🇷 Hanguru — Learn Korean

hanguru.app

← Back to the app ← Browse all lessons

Korean reading — TOPIK II · Market

Market: 18 TOPIK II reading passages, each with translated sentences and comprehension questions.

🍚 I Told You to Wash the Rice First

지난 일요일 저녁에 저는 엄마를 도와 된장찌개와 밥을 준비했어요.
Last Sunday evening I helped my mom make doenjang stew and rice.
엄마는 찌개를 끓이기 전에 쌀부터 씻어 두라고 하셨어요.
Mom told me to wash the rice first, before she started the stew.
하지만 저는 두부와 호박을 써는 게 더 재미있어서 그 말을 잊어버렸어요.
But cutting tofu and zucchini was more fun, so I forgot what she said.
찌개가 거의 다 끓었을 때 엄마가 밥솥을 열어 보고 한숨을 쉬셨어요.
When the stew was almost ready, Mom opened the rice cooker and sighed.
엄마는 “그러니까 쌀부터 씻으라니깐.” 하고 웃으면서 말씀하셨어요.
Mom said with a smile, “See, I told you to wash the rice first.”
결국 우리 가족은 밥이 될 때까지 삼십 분을 더 기다려야 했어요.
In the end, my family had to wait thirty more minutes for the rice to cook.
그날 이후로 저는 요리할 때 시간이 오래 걸리는 일부터 먼저 해요.
Since that day, when I cook, I start with the tasks that take the longest.
What did Mom first tell the writer to do?
  • Cut the tofu first
  • Wash the rice first ✓
  • Make the stew first
  • Go buy a zucchini
Why did the family eat dinner late?
  • The stew came out too salty
  • There was no tofu or zucchini
  • The rice was started too late ✓
  • The rice cooker broke
What can be learned from this text?
  • The writer now does slow tasks first ✓
  • Mom got very angry at the writer
  • The writer hates cooking
  • The family ate only stew, no rice

🍉 The Watermelon Dilemma

무더운 토요일 오후에 저는 룸메이트 민호와 시장에 장을 보러 갔어요.
On a sweltering Saturday afternoon, I went grocery shopping at the market with my roommate Minho.
과일 가게 앞에 아주 크고 잘 익은 수박이 놓여 있었어요.
In front of the fruit shop sat a very big, ripe watermelon.
저는 사고 싶었지만 둘이 먹기에는 너무 크고 무거워 보였어요.
I wanted to buy it, but it looked too big and heavy for just the two of us.
민호는 수박을 두드려 보기만 하고 아무 말도 하지 않았어요.
Minho just kept tapping the watermelon and didn't say a word.
답답해진 저는 “사라든지 사지 말라든지 얘기 좀 해 줘.”라고 했어요.
Getting impatient, I said, “Just tell me to buy it or not to buy it.”
그러자 민호는 반으로 잘라서 파는 수박을 사자고 했어요.
Then Minho suggested buying a watermelon that was sold cut in half.
덕분에 들고 오기도 편했고 남기지 않고 다 먹을 수 있었어요.
Thanks to that, it was easy to carry home and we ate all of it with nothing left over.
Why didn't the writer buy the watermelon right away?
  • It wasn't ripe enough
  • It looked too big for two people ✓
  • The shop had no watermelons
  • Minho disliked watermelon
What did Minho finally suggest?
  • Carry the big one together
  • Buy a melon instead
  • Buy a half watermelon ✓
  • Come back next week
Which of the following matches the text?
  • Minho gave his opinion clearly from the start
  • The writer went to the market alone
  • They didn't buy any watermelon
  • They ate the watermelon without leftovers ✓

🥩 Just the Usual, Please

토요일 아침에 엄마가 저에게 시장 정육점에 가서 고기를 사 오라고 하셨어요.
On Saturday morning, Mom asked me to go to the butcher's at the market and buy some meat.
뭘 사야 하는지 여쭤보니 엄마는 사장님께 평소처럼 달라고 하면 된다고만 하셨어요.
When I asked what to buy, Mom only said to ask the owner for the usual.
정육점에 들어가자 사장님께서 “엄마 심부름 왔구나. 엄마가 뭘 사 오라던?” 하고 물으셨어요.
When I walked into the butcher's, the owner asked, “Running an errand for your mom? What did she tell you to get?”
제가 평소처럼 달라고 하셨다고 말씀드리자 사장님께서 크게 웃으셨어요.
When I told him she had said to ask for the usual, the owner burst out laughing.
사장님은 잠깐 생각하시더니 국거리용 소고기와 삼겹살을 한 근씩 싸 주셨어요.
After thinking for a moment, he wrapped up one geun each of soup beef and pork belly.
집에 와서 봉지를 열어 보신 엄마는 늘 사던 그대로라며 고개를 끄덕이셨어요.
When Mom opened the bag at home, she nodded and said it was exactly what she always bought.
그날 저는 단골 가게가 있다는 것이 얼마나 편한지 알게 됐어요.
That day I learned how convenient it is to have a shop where you're a regular.
What did Mom tell the writer to do?
  • Ask the owner for the usual ✓
  • Write a shopping list
  • Buy two geun of pork belly
  • Call the owner first
How was the owner able to pack the right meat?
  • Mom had ordered ahead by phone
  • The writer said exactly what to buy
  • He knew what Mom usually bought ✓
  • The shop had only two kinds of meat
Which of the following matches the text?
  • The writer went to the butcher's with Mom
  • Mom was happy with the meat the owner packed ✓
  • The owner got angry at the writer
  • The writer came back without any meat

🥬 Cabbage Prices in Kimjang Season

우리 가족은 해마다 십일월이 되면 할머니 댁에 모여 김장을 해요.
Every November, my family gathers at Grandma's house to make kimjang kimchi.
올해도 저는 엄마와 함께 배추를 사러 새벽 시장에 갔어요.
This year, too, I went with my mom to the early-morning market to buy napa cabbage.
그런데 여름에 비가 많이 와서 배춧값이 작년보다 꽤 올라 있었어요.
But because it had rained a lot in the summer, cabbage prices were quite a bit higher than last year.
엄마는 “아무리 김장철이라지만 배추가 너무 비싸네요.” 하고 한숨을 쉬셨어요.
Mom sighed, “I know it's kimjang season, but cabbage is way too expensive.”
그래서 우리는 배추를 작년보다 조금 적게 사고 무를 더 샀어요.
So we bought a little less cabbage than last year and more radishes.
그 무로 할머니께서 깍두기와 동치미를 넉넉하게 담그셨어요.
With those radishes, Grandma made plenty of kkakdugi and dongchimi.
김치 종류는 달라졌지만 가족이 함께 만들어서 올해도 즐거웠어요.
The kinds of kimchi were different, but we made it together as a family, so it was fun again this year.
Why did cabbage prices go up this year?
  • The early market closed
  • Fewer people make kimjang
  • Radishes had gotten much cheaper
  • It rained a lot in summer ✓
What did the family do differently this year?
  • Bought less cabbage and more radish ✓
  • Bought kimchi instead of making it
  • Gathered somewhere other than Grandma's
  • Bought twice as much cabbage
Which of the following matches the text?
  • The writer went to the market alone
  • Cabbage was cheaper than last year
  • The family didn't enjoy kimjang this year
  • Grandma made kkakdugi with radish ✓

👶 Rice Cakes for a Baby's Hundredth Day

다음 주가 언니 아기의 백일이라서 저는 떡을 주문하러 시장 떡집에 갔어요.
My older sister's baby was turning one hundred days old the next week, so I went to the market's rice cake shop to order tteok.
떡집 진열대에는 알록달록한 무지개떡과 하얀 백설기가 가득했어요.
The shop's display was full of colorful rainbow rice cakes and white baekseolgi.
저는 사장님께 “백일에는 백설기를 준비하는 게 전통이라지요?” 하고 여쭤봤어요.
I asked the owner, “I hear it's a tradition to prepare baekseolgi for the hundredth day, right?”
사장님은 하얀 백설기에 아기가 깨끗하고 건강하게 자라기를 바라는 뜻이 있다고 하셨어요.
The owner said white baekseolgi carries the wish that the baby will grow up pure and healthy.
또 백일 떡을 여러 이웃과 나눠 먹으면 아기가 오래 산다는 말도 있다고 알려 주셨어요.
She also told me there's a saying that if you share the hundredth-day tteok with many neighbors, the baby will live a long life.
그래서 저는 백설기를 넉넉하게 주문해서 백일 날 아파트 이웃들과 나눴어요.
So I ordered plenty of baekseolgi and shared it with our apartment neighbors on the hundredth day.
이웃들이 아기에게 축하 인사를 건네 주셔서 언니도 무척 기뻐했어요.
The neighbors offered their congratulations to the baby, and my sister was very happy too.
Why did the writer go to the rice cake shop?
  • To learn how to make tteok
  • To order tteok for the baby's hundredth day ✓
  • To buy and eat rainbow rice cakes
  • To pick up her sister's birthday tteok
According to the owner, what does white baekseolgi mean?
  • A wish for the baby to do well in school
  • A wish for the family to become rich
  • A wish for the baby to grow up pure and healthy ✓
  • A wish for the baby to walk early
Which of the following matches the text?
  • The writer shared baekseolgi with the neighbors ✓
  • The writer ordered rainbow rice cakes
  • The writer's own baby turned a hundred days old
  • The owner said not to share the tteok

🥢 Discount Day at the Side-Dish Shop

저는 요리할 시간이 부족해서 동네 반찬 가게를 자주 이용해요.
I don't have much time to cook, so I often use the side-dish shop in my neighborhood.
어느 수요일 저녁, 퇴근한 룸메이트 서연이가 “오늘 반찬 가게 할인하는 날이라지?” 하고 물었어요.
One Wednesday evening, my roommate Seoyeon came home from work and asked, “Today's the side-dish shop's discount day, right?”
그제야 사장님이 수요일마다 반찬을 싸게 판다고 한 말이 생각났어요.
Only then did I remember the owner saying they sell side dishes cheaply every Wednesday.
서둘러 갔지만 인기 있는 멸치볶음과 계란말이는 벌써 다 팔렸어요.
We hurried over, but the popular stir-fried anchovies and rolled omelet were already sold out.
대신 사장님이 처음 보는 나물 반찬을 권해 주셔서 그것을 샀어요.
Instead, the owner recommended a namul side dish we had never seen, so we bought that.
먹어 보니 생각보다 훨씬 맛있어서 둘 다 깜짝 놀랐어요.
When we tried it, it was far tastier than we expected, and we were both surprised.
다음 수요일에는 일찍 가서 그 나물을 또 사기로 했어요.
We decided to go early next Wednesday and buy that namul again.
When does the side-dish shop have its discount?
  • Every weekend
  • Every Wednesday ✓
  • Once a month
  • Every evening
Why did the two buy the namul side dish?
  • They had always liked namul
  • The namul was the cheapest
  • The owner recommended it ✓
  • Seoyeon wanted to try it
Which of the following matches the text?
  • The writer cooks at home every day
  • They bought the rolled omelet
  • The namul didn't taste very good
  • They plan to buy the namul again ✓

🥕 Not the Cheapest Shop After All

친구 하은이가 시장 입구에 있는 채소 가게가 동네에서 제일 싸다고 알려 줬어요.
My friend Haeun told me that the vegetable shop at the market entrance was the cheapest in the neighborhood.
그래서 주말에 그 가게에 가서 당근과 감자, 양파를 골랐어요.
So on the weekend I went to that shop and picked out carrots, potatoes and onions.
그런데 계산해 보니 평소에 가던 마트보다 오히려 더 비쌌어요.
But when I paid, it was actually more expensive than the supermarket I usually go to.
저는 하은이에게 전화해서 “제일 싼 가게라면서 왜 이렇게 비싸?” 하고 물었어요.
I called Haeun and asked, “You said it was the cheapest shop, so why is it so expensive?”
알고 보니 하은이가 말한 곳은 시장 반대쪽 입구에 있는 다른 가게였어요.
It turned out Haeun meant a different shop, at the entrance on the other side of the market.
시장에 입구가 두 개라는 것을 저는 그때 처음 알았어요.
That was the first time I learned the market had two entrances.
다음 날 그 가게에 가 보니 정말 채소가 훨씬 쌌어요.
When I went to that shop the next day, the vegetables really were much cheaper.
Why did the writer call Haeun?
  • The vegetables cost more than expected ✓
  • The writer wanted to thank Haeun
  • The writer wanted to shop with Haeun
  • The vegetables weren't fresh
Why wasn't the first shop cheap?
  • Prices rise on weekends
  • The writer bought too many vegetables
  • It wasn't the shop Haeun meant ✓
  • Haeun lied on purpose
Which of the following matches the text?
  • The writer buys vegetables only at supermarkets
  • The market has two entrances ✓
  • Haeun has never been to the market
  • The second shop was expensive too

🛍️ Carrying Someone Else's Groceries

지난 목요일에 저는 퇴근길에 전통 시장에 들러 저녁거리를 샀어요.
Last Thursday, on my way home from work, I stopped by the traditional market to buy something for dinner.
생선 가게 앞에 한 할머니가 쌀 포대와 채소 봉지를 옆에 두고 서 계셨어요.
In front of the fish shop, an elderly woman was standing with a sack of rice and a bag of vegetables beside her.
할머니가 그 무거운 짐을 혼자 드시려기에 제가 얼른 대신 들어 드렸어요.
She looked about to lift that heavy load by herself, so I quickly carried it for her.
짐을 들고 할머니 댁까지 함께 걸어가니 십 분쯤 걸렸어요.
Walking her home while carrying the bags took about ten minutes.
댁에 도착하자 할머니께서 고맙다며 직접 담그신 김치를 한 통 주셨어요.
When we arrived, she thanked me and gave me a container of kimchi she had made herself.
그날 저녁 그 김치 덕분에 평범한 밥상이 아주 특별해졌어요.
That evening, thanks to that kimchi, an ordinary meal became something very special.
Why did the writer carry the woman's bags?
  • She asked for directions
  • The fish seller asked the writer to
  • She was the writer's neighbor
  • She was about to lift it alone ✓
What did the woman give the writer?
  • Homemade kimchi ✓
  • Fish from the market
  • A sack of rice
  • A warm dinner
Which of the following matches the text?
  • The writer went to the market in the morning
  • She carried the bags home alone
  • The writer skipped dinner that day
  • Her house is within walking distance ✓

🥟 A Line in Front of the New Dumpling Shop

우리 아파트 앞 빈 가게에서 몇 주 동안 공사 소리가 계속 들렸어요.
For several weeks, construction noise kept coming from the empty shop in front of our apartment building.
어느 날 아침 보니 가게 유리창에 커다란 만두 그림이 붙어 있었어요.
One morning I noticed a big picture of dumplings on the shop window.
그날 저녁에는 가게 앞에 화분이 놓이고 사람들이 모여 있었어요.
That evening, flower pots had been set out in front of the shop and people had gathered.
그 모습을 보고 저는 남편에게 “드디어 내일 문을 열려나 봐요.”라고 말했어요.
Seeing that, I said to my husband, “Looks like they're finally opening tomorrow.”
예상대로 다음 날 아침부터 가게 앞에 줄이 길게 생겼어요.
As expected, a long line formed in front of the shop from the next morning.
우리도 삼십 분을 기다려서 김치만두와 고기만두를 한 판씩 샀어요.
We waited thirty minutes too and bought a tray each of kimchi dumplings and meat dumplings.
만두피가 얇고 속이 꽉 차 있어서 기다린 보람이 있었어요.
The wrappers were thin and the filling was generous, so it was worth the wait.
Why did the writer think the shop would open soon?
  • A long line had formed
  • People had gathered in front of it ✓
  • The construction noise started again
  • The owner told the writer directly
How long did the writer wait to buy dumplings?
  • Several weeks
  • One hour
  • Thirty minutes ✓
  • No wait at all
Which of the following matches the text?
  • The dumplings were worth the wait ✓
  • The shop opened inside the apartment building
  • The writer bought only meat dumplings
  • Few customers came on opening day

🚚 Will the Fruit Truck Come Today?

우리 동네에는 목요일마다 과일을 가득 실은 트럭이 찾아와요.
Every Thursday, a truck loaded with fruit comes to our neighborhood.
트럭 아저씨는 늘 맛보기용 과일을 잘라 주셔서 동네 사람들에게 인기가 많아요.
The man with the truck always cuts up fruit for people to taste, so he's very popular in the neighborhood.
그런데 지난 목요일에는 아침부터 비가 많이 내렸어요.
But last Thursday it rained heavily from the morning.
창밖을 보며 저는 “이런 날에도 아저씨가 오시려나?” 하고 혼잣말을 했어요.
Looking out the window, I said to myself, “I wonder if he'll come even on a day like this.”
저녁 무렵 비가 그치자 익숙한 트럭 방송 소리가 들렸어요.
Around evening, when the rain stopped, I heard the truck's familiar loudspeaker.
아저씨는 비 때문에 늦었다며 귤을 평소보다 넉넉하게 담아 주셨어요.
He said he was late because of the rain and gave me more tangerines than usual.
저는 그 귤을 이웃과 나눠 먹으며 따뜻한 저녁을 보냈어요.
I shared the tangerines with my neighbors and spent a warm evening.
When does the fruit truck come to the neighborhood?
  • Every rainy day
  • Every Thursday ✓
  • Every weekend
  • Every evening
Why did the truck come late that day?
  • The tangerines sold out
  • The truck broke down
  • It rained heavily ✓
  • The man was sick
What can be learned from this text?
  • The writer couldn't buy fruit that day
  • The man never lets people taste fruit
  • It rained until night that day
  • The truck man is popular in the neighborhood ✓

🫘 Tofu That Sells Out by Morning

시장 골목 끝에는 손두부를 파는 작은 가게가 있어요.
At the end of the market alley, there is a small shop that sells handmade tofu.
사장님이 매일 새벽에 콩을 갈아서 딱 정해진 양만 만드세요.
Every day before dawn, the owner grinds soybeans and makes only a set amount.
그래서 이웃들은 “아침 일찍 가면 몰라도 점심 이후에는 그 두부 못 사요.”라고 말해요.
So the neighbors say, “Unless you go early in the morning, you can't get that tofu after lunch.”
저는 처음에 그 말을 믿지 않고 오후에 갔다가 빈손으로 돌아온 적이 있어요.
At first I didn't believe it, and once went in the afternoon and came back empty-handed.
그래서 지난 토요일에는 알람을 맞추고 아침 일곱 시에 가게에 갔어요.
So last Saturday I set an alarm and went to the shop at seven in the morning.
따뜻한 두부를 사 와서 간장만 찍어 먹었는데도 정말 고소했어요.
I brought home some warm tofu, and even dipped only in soy sauce, it was wonderfully nutty.
이제는 주말 아침마다 그 가게에 가는 것이 제 작은 즐거움이 됐어요.
Now, going to that shop every weekend morning has become one of my small pleasures.
Why is it hard to buy that tofu in the afternoon?
  • Only a set amount is made ✓
  • The shop closes in the afternoon
  • The beans are ground in the afternoon
  • The owner rests in the afternoon
What did the writer do last Saturday?
  • Went for tofu in the afternoon
  • Made tofu at home
  • Went early to buy tofu ✓
  • Asked a neighbor for tofu
What is the writer's main point?
  • Tofu tastes best without soy sauce
  • Buying tofu on weekend mornings became a joy ✓
  • Market tofu costs more than store tofu
  • You can't trust the neighbors

🛒 The Same Money, a Lighter Bag

요즘 엄마는 장을 보고 오실 때마다 장바구니가 가벼워졌다고 하세요.
These days, whenever Mom comes back from grocery shopping, she says her shopping bag has gotten lighter.
채소와 고기 가격이 조금씩 올라서 같은 돈으로 살 수 있는 양이 줄었기 때문이에요.
That's because vegetable and meat prices have been creeping up, so the same money buys less.
어제도 엄마는 영수증을 보시며 “작년만 같아도 이 돈이면 장바구니가 꽉 찼을 텐데.” 하셨어요.
Yesterday, too, Mom looked at the receipt and said, “If only it were like last year, this money would have filled the bag.”
그래서 우리 가족은 장보기 방법을 조금 바꿔 보기로 했어요.
So my family decided to change the way we shop a little.
먼저 냉장고에 있는 재료를 확인하고 꼭 필요한 것만 적어서 가요.
First, we check what's in the fridge and go with a list of only what we really need.
또 시장이 문을 닫기 한 시간 전쯤 가서 싸게 파는 채소를 사요.
We also go to the market about an hour before closing and buy the vegetables sold cheaply.
모양이 조금 못생겨도 맛은 똑같은 과일을 고르니 장바구니가 다시 무거워졌어요.
By choosing fruit that looks a little ugly but tastes the same, our shopping bag has gotten heavier again.
Why does Mom say the shopping bag has gotten lighter?
  • Mom rarely goes shopping
  • She bought a new shopping bag
  • The family eats less
  • The same money buys less ✓
Which is NOT how the family shops these days?
  • Buying a lot at once ✓
  • Going with a list of only what's needed
  • Going shortly before the market closes
  • Buying ugly but tasty fruit
Which of the following matches the text?
  • Prices were higher last year
  • Mom stopped grocery shopping
  • The family goes as soon as the market opens
  • They can buy more with the same money again ✓

🍳 Japchae After Just One Video

이번 주말에 남편의 회사 동료들이 우리 집에 저녁을 먹으러 오기로 했어요.
This weekend, my husband's coworkers were coming to our home for dinner.
그런데 요리를 거의 해 본 적이 없는 남편이 잡채를 직접 만들겠다고 했어요.
But my husband, who has hardly ever cooked, said he would make the japchae himself.
어젯밤에 요리 영상을 한 번 보고 자신감이 생겼다는 거예요.
He said he'd gained confidence after watching a cooking video once the night before.
저는 “영상 한 번 봤다고 손님상에 잡채를 올리게요?” 하고 웃으며 물었어요.
Laughing, I asked, “You watched one video, and now you're going to serve japchae to guests?”
결국 우리는 토요일 오전에 함께 연습해 보기로 했어요.
In the end, we decided to practice together on Saturday morning.
당면을 너무 오래 삶아서 처음에는 실패했지만 두 번째는 꽤 괜찮았어요.
He boiled the glass noodles too long, so the first try failed, but the second one turned out pretty well.
저녁에 동료들이 잡채를 칭찬하자 남편은 무척 뿌듯해했어요.
In the evening, when his coworkers praised the japchae, my husband was very proud.
Why did the husband say he would make japchae?
  • His coworkers asked for japchae
  • A cooking video gave him confidence ✓
  • The writer can't cook
  • He had made japchae often
Why did the first practice attempt fail?
  • The noodles weren't boiled long enough
  • Too many vegetables went in
  • The noodles were boiled too long ✓
  • He didn't finish the video
Which of the following matches the text?
  • The husband was praised by the guests ✓
  • The husband cooks often
  • They bought japchae and served it
  • They practiced on Sunday afternoon

🍜 The Noodle Stall That Never Changed

우리 동네 시장 한가운데에는 의자가 여섯 개뿐인 작은 국숫집이 있어요.
In the middle of our neighborhood market, there's a tiny noodle stall with only six stools.
주인 할머니는 삼십 년 동안 같은 자리에서 같은 방법으로 국수를 만들어 오셨어요.
The elderly owner has been making noodles the same way, in the same spot, for thirty years.
멸치와 다시마로 국물을 내고 면은 주문을 받은 후에야 삶으세요.
She makes the broth with anchovies and kelp, and only boils the noodles after an order comes in.
몇 년 전 시장을 새로 단장할 때 가게를 넓히자는 제안도 있었대요.
I heard that a few years ago, when the market was renovated, someone even suggested expanding the stall.
하지만 할머니는 손님 얼굴을 보며 국수를 말아 주고 싶다며 거절하셨어요.
But she turned it down, saying she wanted to serve her noodles while seeing her customers' faces.
그래서인지 이 가게에는 어릴 때부터 오던 손님들이 지금도 많아요.
Maybe that's why many of the customers who came here as children still come today.
저도 마음이 허전한 날이면 이 집 국수 한 그릇으로 위로를 받아요.
On days when I feel empty inside, I also find comfort in a bowl of noodles from this place.
Why didn't the owner expand the stall?
  • The market didn't allow it
  • She wanted to see her customers' faces ✓
  • She had no money to do it
  • She didn't have many customers
Which is true about this noodle stall?
  • The broth is made with meat
  • It has over twenty seats
  • Noodles are boiled after ordering ✓
  • It moved a few years ago
What can be learned from this text?
  • The owner opened it recently
  • The writer went there for the first time
  • The owner often tries new recipes
  • Many customers have come for years ✓

🍲 The Secret of a Deeper Stew

저는 혼자 산 지 이 년이 됐는데 된장찌개만큼은 자주 끓여 먹어요.
I've lived alone for two years now, and doenjang stew is one thing I make often.
그런데 아무리 레시피대로 해도 엄마가 해 주시던 맛이 나지 않았어요.
But no matter how closely I followed the recipe, it never tasted like the one Mom used to make.
지난달 고향에 갔을 때 할머니께서 직접 담그신 된장을 한 통 싸 주셨어요.
Last month when I went back to my hometown, Grandma packed me a container of doenjang she had made herself.
그 된장으로 찌개를 끓였더니 맛이 훨씬 깊고 구수해졌어요.
When I made stew with that doenjang, it became much deeper and more savory.
할머니 된장을 넣어서인지 한 숟가락 먹자마자 어린 시절이 떠올랐어요.
Maybe because I used Grandma's doenjang, the moment I took a spoonful, my childhood came back to me.
엄마께 전화로 말씀드리니 엄마도 늘 할머니 된장을 쓰셨다고 하셨어요.
When I told Mom on the phone, she said she had always used Grandma's doenjang too.
저는 이제야 그동안 부족했던 맛의 비밀을 알게 됐어요.
Only now have I learned the secret of the flavor that had been missing all along.
Why did the writer's stew taste different?
  • The writer used Grandma's homemade doenjang ✓
  • The writer found a new recipe
  • Mom taught the writer how
  • The writer brought vegetables from home
What did Mom say on the phone?
  • She rarely made doenjang stew
  • She would buy and send new doenjang
  • She had always used Grandma's doenjang ✓
  • The recipe must be followed exactly
Which of the following matches the text?
  • The writer rarely eats doenjang stew
  • The writer has lived alone for two years ✓
  • Grandma mailed the doenjang
  • Mom bought her doenjang at a store

🦀 Choosing a Stall at the Busy Fish Market

지난 주말에 저는 친구 도윤이와 바닷가 근처의 수산 시장에 갔어요.
Last weekend I went to a seafood market near the coast with my friend Doyun.
시장에 들어서자마자 여기저기서 상인들이 손님을 불렀어요.
As soon as we walked in, vendors were calling out to customers from every direction.
몇몇 상인들은 우리 팔을 잡고 자기 가게로 오라고 계속 졸라 댔어요.
Some vendors grabbed our arms and kept pestering us to come to their stall.
정신이 하나도 없던 우리는 주인이 조용히 생선을 손질하고 있는 가게 앞에 멈춰 섰어요.
Completely overwhelmed, we stopped in front of a stall where the owner was quietly cleaning fish.
그 가게 아주머니는 오늘 들어온 생선이 무엇인지 차분하게 설명해 주셨어요.
The woman at that stall calmly explained which fish had come in that day.
우리는 그 설명을 듣고 광어와 새우를 사서 근처 식당에서 먹었어요.
After hearing her out, we bought flatfish and shrimp and ate them at a restaurant nearby.
큰 소리보다 친절한 설명이 손님의 마음을 더 움직인다는 것을 느꼈어요.
I realized that a kind explanation moves customers more than a loud voice.
Why did the two stop in front of the quiet stall?
  • That stall's fish was cheapest
  • Doyun knew that stall
  • Only one stall sold flatfish
  • The constant calling overwhelmed them ✓
What did the woman at the quiet stall do?
  • Calmly explained the day's fish ✓
  • Grabbed their arms and called them in
  • Sold the fish at half price
  • Went to the restaurant with them
What is the writer's main point?
  • Avoid seafood markets on weekends
  • Fish is best eaten at restaurants
  • Vendors should call customers loudly
  • Kind explanations work better than shouting ✓

🐚 Clam Noodle Soup Full of Sand

저는 바지락을 넣은 칼국수를 좋아해서 직접 만들어 보기로 했어요.
I love kalguksu with clams, so I decided to try making it myself.
시장에서 싱싱한 바지락을 한 봉지 사 와서 바로 씻어 냄비에 넣었어요.
I bought a bag of fresh clams at the market, rinsed them, and put them straight into the pot.
그런데 국물을 한 숟가락 먹자마자 입안에서 모래가 씹혔어요.
But as soon as I tasted a spoonful of broth, I felt sand crunching in my mouth.
저는 바지락을 해감할 줄 몰라서 모래를 빼지 않고 요리한 거예요.
I didn't know how to purge the clams, so I had cooked them without getting the sand out.
다음 날 조개 가게 사장님께 여쭤보니 소금물에 담가 어두운 곳에 두면 된다고 하셨어요.
The next day I asked the owner of the shellfish shop, and she said to soak them in salt water and leave them somewhere dark.
말씀대로 한 시간쯤 두었더니 바지락이 모래를 뱉어 냈어요.
I left them for about an hour as she said, and the clams spat out the sand.
두 번째로 끓인 칼국수는 모래 없이 시원하고 맛있었어요.
The second kalguksu I made had no sand and was light and delicious.
Why was there sand in the first kalguksu?
  • The clams weren't fresh
  • The clams weren't purged of sand ✓
  • The pot wasn't washed well
  • Too much salt water was added
What did the shop owner say to do?
  • Put them straight into hot water
  • Buy new clams
  • Soak them in salt water somewhere dark ✓
  • Leave them in a bright place for a day
Which of the following matches the text?
  • The second kalguksu had no sand ✓
  • The writer already knew how to purge clams
  • The clams sat in salt water for a day
  • The writer decided to buy kalguksu instead

🥒 Why My Vegetables Kept Going Bad

저는 회사 일이 바빠서 저녁을 밖에서 먹는 날이 많아요.
Work keeps me busy, so I eat dinner out on a lot of days.
그런데도 주말마다 대형 마트에서 채소를 잔뜩 사 오곤 했어요.
Even so, I used to bring home loads of vegetables from a big supermarket every weekend.
집에서 요리를 거의 안 하는 탓에 냉장고 속 채소가 자주 시들고 상했어요.
Because I hardly ever cooked at home, the vegetables in my fridge often wilted and went bad.
시든 오이와 상추를 버릴 때마다 돈도 아깝고 마음도 불편했어요.
Every time I threw out wilted cucumbers and lettuce, it felt like wasted money and I felt guilty.
그래서 요즘은 퇴근길에 동네 채소 가게에 들러 그날 먹을 만큼만 사요.
So these days I stop by the neighborhood vegetable shop on my way home and buy only what I'll eat that day.
그 가게에서는 오이 한 개나 대파 반 단도 살 수 있어서 편해요.
At that shop you can buy even a single cucumber or half a bunch of green onions, which is convenient.
조금씩 자주 사니까 버리는 채소가 거의 없어지고 요리하는 날도 늘었어요.
Buying a little at a time, more often, I hardly throw away vegetables now, and I cook on more days.
Why did the vegetables in the fridge often go bad?
  • The fridge was broken
  • The writer hardly cooked at home ✓
  • The shop's vegetables weren't fresh
  • The writer bought too few vegetables
What is good about the neighborhood vegetable shop?
  • It has more kinds than a big supermarket
  • It's open late at night
  • You can buy just what you need ✓
  • It delivers vegetables to your home
Which of the following matches the text?
  • The writer still buys lots of vegetables on weekends
  • The writer always eats dinner at home
  • The shop sells green onions only by the bunch
  • The writer cooks on more days now ✓
Practice for free in the app →