Describing a rapid sequence

A bilingual reading that brings this unit's language together in context.

Read the English text first, then check the translation. This reading intentionally brings the unit examples together in context. Note the main idea and two expressions you could use.

Text and translation

Hardly had the visitors entered the hall when the fire alarm interrupted the introduction. The host directed everyone to the designated exit and waited for further instructions. No sooner had the group assembled outside than the building manager arrived with an update. The session could not resume immediately, so the organisers contacted the speakers. The revised programme was circulated once the building was available again. The inverted structures emphasise how closely the events followed one another.

ما إن دخل الزوار القاعة حتى قاطع إنذار الحريق المقدمة. وجّه المضيف الجميع إلى المخرج المحدد وانتظر التعليمات التالية. ما إن تجمعت المجموعة في الخارج حتى وصل مدير المبنى بتحديث. لم يكن ممكنًا استئناف الجلسة فورًا، لذا تواصل المنظمون مع المتحدثين. وُزّع البرنامج المعدل عندما أصبح المبنى متاحًا مجددًا. تبرز التراكيب التي تتضمن قلبًا مدى تقارب الأحداث وتعاقبها السريع.

Check your understanding

1. Choose the closest Arabic meaning of this expression: No sooner had the group assembled outside than the building manager arrived with an update.
2. Choose the English expression that matches this meaning: تبرز التراكيب التي تتضمن قلبًا مدى تقارب الأحداث وتعاقبها السريع.