Daily life 8: 11 TOPIK II reading passages, each with translated sentences and comprehension questions.
🔨 A Question from the Woodworking Master
민호 씨는 삼 년째 목공방에서 가구 만드는 일을 배우고 있어요.
Minho has been learning to make furniture at a woodworking studio for three years.
어느 날 일을 마치고 정리하는데 선생님께서 민호 씨를 부르셨어요.
One day, while he was cleaning up after work, his teacher called him over.
선생님은 “자네는 앞으로 어떤 가구를 만들려는가?” 하고 물으셨어요.
The teacher asked, "What kind of furniture do you intend to make from now on?"
민호 씨는 갑작스러운 질문에 바로 대답하지 못했어요.
Minho couldn't answer the sudden question right away.
그동안 선생님이 가르쳐 주시는 대로만 만들어 왔기 때문이에요.
That was because until then he had only made things the way his teacher taught him.
그날 밤 그는 자기가 정말 만들고 싶은 의자를 공책에 그려 보았어요.
That night he drew in a notebook the chair he truly wanted to make.
다음 날 그림을 본 선생님은 그 의자를 직접 만들어 보라고 하셨어요.
The next day, after seeing the drawing, the teacher told him to try making that chair himself.
What did the teacher ask Minho?
- When he planned to leave the studio
- What furniture he planned to make ✓
- How many chairs he had made
- Why he worked late every day
Why couldn't Minho answer right away?
- He couldn't hear the teacher well
- He was sick and had to go home
- He had only made things as taught ✓
- He had decided to move to another studio
Which of the following matches the text?
- Minho drew the chair he wanted to make ✓
- Minho has been at the studio for one year
- The teacher got angry at the drawing
- Minho answered as soon as he heard the question
🤝 Advice for a New Salesperson
저는 올봄에 사무용품 회사의 영업팀에 입사했어요.
I joined the sales team of an office supplies company this spring.
처음 몇 달 동안은 고객을 만나도 계약을 한 건도 하지 못했어요.
For the first few months, I didn't get a single contract even when I met clients.
답답한 마음에 십 년 동안 영업을 한 선배에게 조언을 구했어요.
Feeling frustrated, I asked a senior colleague who had worked in sales for ten years for advice.
선배는 “고객의 마음을 얻으려거든 팔기 전에 먼저 들어야 해요.”라고 말했어요.
My senior said, "If you want to win customers' hearts, you have to listen before you sell."
그 후로 저는 제품 설명보다 고객의 어려움을 묻는 데 더 많은 시간을 썼어요.
After that, I spent more time asking about clients' difficulties than explaining products.
그러자 고객들이 필요한 것을 먼저 이야기하기 시작했어요.
Then clients began telling me first what they needed.
지난달에는 드디어 첫 계약을 맺고 선배에게 점심을 대접했어요.
Last month I finally signed my first contract and treated my senior to lunch.
What advice did the senior give?
- Explain products at greater length
- Listen to customers first ✓
- Visit customers more often
- Lower the price first
Why did the writer treat the senior to lunch?
- The senior was leaving the company
- It was the senior's birthday
- Thanks to the advice, got a first contract ✓
- The senior introduced a client
Which of the following matches the text?
- The writer has done sales for ten years
- The senior said explaining products matters most
- Clients never said what they needed
- No contracts in the first few months ✓
🚶 Familiar Faces on the Way to Work
저는 이 년 전부터 회사까지 걸어서 출근하고 있어요.
For the past two years, I've been walking to work.
처음에는 운동하려고 시작했는데, 매일 같은 길을 걷다가 보니 아는 얼굴이 생겼어요.
At first I started for the exercise, but walking the same road every day, I came to recognize some faces.
빵집 사장님은 아침마다 가게 앞을 쓸면서 저에게 먼저 인사를 해 주세요.
Every morning, the bakery owner greets me first while sweeping in front of the shop.
횡단보도 앞에서는 초등학생들의 등교를 돕는 할아버지도 만나요.
At the crosswalk, I also meet an elderly man who helps elementary school children get to school.
어느 날 비가 많이 왔는데 제가 우산을 두고 나와서 곤란했어요.
One day it rained heavily, and I was in trouble because I had left my umbrella at home.
그때 빵집 사장님이 가게에 있던 우산을 빌려주셨어요.
Then the bakery owner lent me an umbrella from the shop.
그날 이후 출근길은 그냥 지나가는 길이 아니라 이웃을 만나는 길이 되었어요.
Since that day, my commute has become not just a road I pass along but a road where I meet neighbors.
Why did the writer start walking to work?
- To get exercise ✓
- To save on bus fare
- To make friends with neighbors
- To buy bread
Who helped the writer on the rainy day?
- The elderly man shared his umbrella
- A schoolchild gave an umbrella
- The bakery owner lent an umbrella ✓
- A coworker gave a ride
What is the writer's main message?
- Always take an umbrella on rainy days
- Grew close to neighbors on the daily walk ✓
- Walking to work makes you healthier
- Buying bread on the commute is good
🎧 A Day at the Call Center
지현 씨는 인터넷 회사의 고객 센터에서 상담원으로 일해요.
Jihyeon works as an agent at an internet company's customer service center.
하루에 수십 통의 전화를 받는데, 대부분 인터넷이 안 된다는 불만이에요.
She takes dozens of calls a day, and most are complaints that the internet isn't working.
처음 입사했을 때는 화를 내는 고객 때문에 자주 속상했어요.
When she first joined, she was often upset because of angry customers.
하지만 일을 하면서 한 가지 사실을 알게 되었어요.
But as she worked, she learned one thing.
고객들은 소리를 지르다가도 문제가 해결되면 금방 목소리가 부드러워진다는 거예요.
Customers who are yelling one moment soften their voices right away once the problem is solved.
그래서 지금은 고객의 말투보다 문제를 빨리 찾는 데 집중해요.
So now she focuses on finding the problem quickly rather than on the customer's tone.
통화 끝에 고맙다는 말을 들으면 하루의 피로가 풀리는 것 같다고 해요.
She says that when she hears "thank you" at the end of a call, the day's tiredness seems to melt away.
What are most of Jihyeon's calls about?
- Questions about new plans
- Calls praising the agents
- Questions about job interviews
- Complaints that the internet doesn't work ✓
What does Jihyeon focus on most when she handles calls now?
- Finding the problem quickly ✓
- Correcting customers' tone
- Ending calls quickly
- Getting customers to apologize
Which of the following matches the text?
- She takes only a few calls a day
- Customers stay angry even after it's fixed
- She has never been thanked
- At first, angry customers upset her ✓
🌼 The Corner Full of Trash
우리 골목 모퉁이에는 늘 누군가 몰래 버린 쓰레기가 쌓여 있었어요.
At the corner of our alley, there was always a pile of trash that someone had secretly dumped.
주민들은 지나갈 때마다 냄새가 난다며 얼굴을 찡그렸어요.
Every time residents passed by, they frowned and complained about the smell.
어느 날 반상회에서 한 주민이 “불평만 할 것이 아니라 우리가 직접 바꿔 봐요.”라고 말했어요.
One day at the neighborhood meeting, a resident said, "Instead of just complaining, let's change it ourselves."
그래서 주말에 이웃들이 모여 쓰레기를 치우고 그 자리에 화분을 놓았어요.
So on the weekend, neighbors gathered, cleared away the trash, and put flowerpots in that spot.
아이들은 쓰레기를 버리지 말자는 그림을 그려서 화분 옆에 붙였어요.
The children drew pictures asking people not to dump trash and put them up next to the flowerpots.
신기하게도 그 뒤로는 쓰레기를 버리는 사람이 거의 없어졌어요.
Surprisingly, after that almost no one dumped trash there anymore.
지금은 주민들이 돌아가며 꽃에 물을 주고 골목을 함께 가꾸고 있어요.
Now residents take turns watering the flowers and look after the alley together.
What did residents put where the trash had been?
- A trash can
- Flowerpots ✓
- A security camera
- A bench
What led residents to change the alley themselves?
- The district office ordered a cleanup
- The children asked for drawings
- A resident suggested it at a meeting ✓
- They found who was dumping trash
Which of the following matches the text?
- Residents didn't notice any smell
- Children secretly dumped trash
- The management office waters the flowers
- Trash nearly disappeared after the pots ✓
🚚 The Food Truck Outside the Office
지난주부터 우리 회사 앞에 점심마다 작은 푸드 트럭이 와요.
Since last week, a small food truck has been coming to the front of our office every lunchtime.
소문으로는 젊은 부부가 직접 만든 비빔밥을 판다고 했어요.
Word was that a young couple sells bibimbap they make themselves.
오늘 동료 수진 씨와 열두 시 정각에 나갔는데 벌써 사람이 많았어요.
Today I went out at twelve o'clock sharp with my coworker Sujin, but there were already a lot of people.
수진 씨가 놀라서 “벌써 줄이 길게 서 있는걸요.”라고 말했어요.
Sujin said in surprise, "Oh, there's already a long line!"
이십 분쯤 기다려서 받은 비빔밥은 채소가 신선하고 양도 넉넉했어요.
The bibimbap we got after waiting about twenty minutes had fresh vegetables and a generous portion.
사장님 부부는 바쁜 중에도 손님 한 명 한 명에게 웃으며 인사했어요.
Even though they were busy, the owners greeted each customer with a smile.
우리는 다음 주에는 십 분 일찍 나오자고 약속했어요.
We promised each other to come out ten minutes earlier next week.
How long did the writer and Sujin wait for their bibimbap?
- About twenty minutes ✓
- About ten minutes
- About an hour
- They didn't wait at all
Why did the two decide to come out earlier next week?
- The truck leaves early
- The office lunch hour is changing
- The line was long and they waited a while ✓
- The portions were too small
Which of the following matches the text?
- The truck only comes in the evening
- A couple runs the food truck together ✓
- There were no customers when they went
- The vegetables weren't fresh
💡 The Company Idea Contest
지난봄 회사에서 직원들을 대상으로 아이디어 공모전을 열었어요.
Last spring, my company held an idea contest for employees.
저는 좋은 아이디어가 있었지만 부족해 보일까 봐 망설였어요.
I had a good idea, but I hesitated, worried it might look lacking.
그러다가 마감 전날, 일단 신청서를 내고 보자는 생각이 들었어요.
Then, the day before the deadline, I thought I'd just submit the application first and see what happened.
제 아이디어는 사무실에서 쓰고 남은 종이를 모아 메모지로 다시 쓰는 것이었어요.
My idea was to collect leftover office paper and reuse it as memo pads.
큰 아이디어는 아니었지만 누구나 바로 실천할 수 있다는 점이 좋은 평가를 받았어요.
It wasn't a big idea, but it was well received because anyone could put it into practice right away.
결과 발표 날, 우수상 명단에 제 이름이 있어서 정말 기뻤어요.
On the day the results were announced, I was really happy to find my name on the list of excellence award winners.
이 일로 저는 완벽하게 준비될 때까지 기다리지 않아도 된다는 것을 배웠어요.
From this, I learned that I don't have to wait until I'm perfectly prepared.
What was the writer's idea?
- Growing plants in the office
- Reusing leftover paper as memo pads ✓
- Cutting meeting time in half
- Using only computers instead of paper
Why did the writer hesitate to apply at first?
- Didn't know the deadline
- Felt pressured about winning a prize
- Worried the idea would look lacking ✓
- Didn't know how to fill out the form
What is the writer's main message?
- Only big ideas should be submitted
- Saving paper wins anyone a prize
- Better not to apply the day before
- Give it a try even if it isn't perfect ✓
👕 Neighbors Help the Dry Cleaner
우리 동네 세탁소는 부부가 이십 년 넘게 함께 운영해 온 가게예요.
Our neighborhood dry cleaner is a shop that a married couple has run together for over twenty years.
그런데 지난달 남편 사장님이 허리를 다쳐서 병원에 입원하셨어요.
But last month, the husband hurt his back and was hospitalized.
이웃들은 “아주머니 혼자서 그 많은 일을 어떻게 다 하실지요.” 하며 걱정했어요.
The neighbors worried, saying, "I wonder how she'll manage all that work by herself."
그래서 몇몇 주민들이 시간을 나누어 가게 일을 돕기로 했어요.
So several residents decided to split up their time and help out at the shop.
어떤 주민은 세탁물을 배달하고, 또 어떤 주민은 손님이 맡긴 옷을 정리했어요.
Some residents delivered laundry, while others sorted the clothes customers had dropped off.
아주머니는 고맙다며 도와준 사람들에게 따뜻한 떡을 나눠 주셨어요.
Thanking them, she shared warm rice cakes with the people who helped.
한 달 뒤 남편 사장님이 돌아오시자 온 동네가 함께 기뻐했어요.
A month later, when the husband came back, the whole neighborhood rejoiced together.
Why was the husband hospitalized?
- He hurt his back ✓
- He caught a bad cold
- He broke his leg
- He had eye surgery
How did residents help the wife?
- Bought the shop a new washing machine
- Cared for the husband at the hospital
- Delivered laundry and sorted clothes ✓
- Closed the shop for her
Which of the following matches the text?
- The husband was hospitalized for a year
- The couple has run it for over twenty years ✓
- She closed the shop for a month
- Residents were paid for helping
🚲 From the Bank to a Bike Repair Shop
준호 씨는 칠 년 동안 다니던 은행을 작년에 그만두었어요.
Last year, Junho quit the bank where he had worked for seven years.
어릴 때부터 좋아하던 자전거를 고치는 일을 하고 싶었기 때문이에요.
That's because he wanted to repair bicycles, which he had loved since he was a child.
동네에 작은 수리점을 열었지만 처음 몇 달은 손님이 거의 없었어요.
He opened a small repair shop in the neighborhood, but for the first few months there were hardly any customers.
그때는 안정적인 직장을 괜히 그만두었나 싶어서 밤에 잠이 오지 않았어요.
Back then, he wondered if he had quit a stable job for nothing, and he couldn't sleep at night.
그러다가 동네 학생들의 자전거를 싸게 고쳐 주면서 조금씩 입소문이 났어요.
Then, as he repaired local students' bikes cheaply, word of mouth gradually spread.
지금은 주말마다 자전거 타는 법을 가르치는 작은 교실도 열고 있어요.
Now he also runs a small class every weekend teaching people how to ride a bike.
수입은 예전보다 적지만 준호 씨는 매일 아침이 기다려진다고 해요.
His income is lower than before, but Junho says he looks forward to every morning.
Why did Junho quit the bank?
- The bank salary was too low
- He moved to another city with family
- He was ill and needed rest
- He wanted to repair bicycles ✓
What led to more customers at the repair shop?
- He fixed students' bikes cheaply ✓
- He ran a big newspaper ad
- Former bank coworkers sent customers
- He moved the shop downtown
Which of the following matches the text?
- Junho worked at the bank for one year
- The shop was busy from the start
- Junho dreads going to work each morning
- Junho now earns less than before ✓
🙋 Speaking Up in Meetings
입사한 지 일 년이 된 하은 씨는 회의 시간이 가장 부담스러웠어요.
For Haeun, who had been at the company for a year, meetings were the most stressful part of work.
선배들이 의견을 나누는 동안 하은 씨는 고개를 끄덕이며 듣기만 했어요.
While her senior colleagues shared their opinions, Haeun only listened and nodded.
틀린 말을 할까 봐 걱정돼서 손을 들 용기가 나지 않았거든요.
That's because she was afraid of saying something wrong and couldn't find the courage to raise her hand.
어느 날 회의가 끝난 뒤 팀장님이 하은 씨를 따로 불러 이야기했어요.
One day, after a meeting, the team leader called Haeun aside for a talk.
팀장님은 젊은 직원의 새로운 시각이 팀에 꼭 필요하다고 말씀하셨어요.
The team leader said that the fresh perspective of younger employees is exactly what the team needs.
그 후 하은 씨는 회의 전에 하고 싶은 말을 짧게 메모해 가기 시작했어요.
After that, Haeun began jotting down briefly what she wanted to say before each meeting.
지난주에는 하은 씨가 낸 아이디어가 다음 달 행사 계획에 반영되었어요.
Last week, an idea Haeun suggested was included in the plan for next month's event.
Why couldn't Haeun share her opinions in meetings?
- Didn't understand the meetings
- Worried about saying something wrong ✓
- Seniors wouldn't let her speak
- Always arrived late to meetings
What did Haeun do after talking with the team leader?
- Stopped attending meetings
- Asked a senior to speak for her
- Wrote notes before meetings ✓
- Asked to move to another team
Which of the following matches the text?
- Her idea made it into the event plan ✓
- She liked meetings from the start
- The leader told her to just listen quietly
- She had been at the company three months
🏸 Joining the Office Badminton Club
저는 하루 종일 컴퓨터 앞에 앉아서 일하는 회사원이에요.
I'm an office worker who sits in front of a computer all day.
요즘 어깨도 자주 아프고 해서 회사 배드민턴 동호회에 가입했어요.
Partly because my shoulders have often been hurting lately, I joined the company badminton club.
동호회는 매주 수요일 퇴근 후에 회사 근처 체육관에서 모여요.
The club meets every Wednesday after work at a gym near the office.
처음에는 공을 제대로 치지 못해서 창피했지만 회원들이 친절하게 가르쳐 주었어요.
At first I was embarrassed because I couldn't hit the shuttlecock properly, but the members kindly taught me.
운동을 하면서 다른 부서 사람들과도 자연스럽게 친해졌어요.
Through playing together, I naturally became friends with people from other departments too.
덕분에 업무로 도움이 필요할 때 부탁하기도 훨씬 편해졌어요.
Thanks to that, it has become much easier to ask for help when I need it for work.
석 달이 지난 지금은 어깨 통증도 많이 줄었어요.
Now, three months later, my shoulder pain has also eased a lot.
When does the club meet?
- Every Saturday morning
- Every Wednesday after work ✓
- Every day at lunchtime
- Once a month on a weekend
How has the club helped the writer at work?
- Leaving work got earlier
- Meetings got shorter
- Asking for help became easier ✓
- Got a small raise
Which of the following matches the text?
- The writer taught the other members
- The shoulder pain didn't improve at all
- Only made friends within the same department
- At first the writer couldn't hit well ✓