Learning to Swim
Read a story about a girl's first swimming lessons and practise past simple and past continuous together.
Read the Text
When I was eight years old, I could not swim. My friends loved the pool, but I always stayed on the steps and watched. One Saturday in June, my dad decided to teach me.
We arrived at the pool early in the morning. The water was cold and quiet. My dad was holding my hands while I was kicking my legs. I was breathing very fast and I felt afraid, but my dad smiled and said, “I am here.”
After thirty minutes, I swam two metres without help. I was tired, but I was laughing. My dad was clapping from the side of the pool.
The next summer, my family went to the beach. While my mum was reading a book under the umbrella, I was swimming in the sea. I showed my little sister how to float. She was watching my legs and trying to copy me.
Now I love the water. Last year, I won my first race at school. When I touch the medal, I remember the cold pool and my dad’s kind voice. The first step is always hard, but it is worth it.
Questions
How old was the writer when she could not swim?