magazines, and anthologies and were written by some of Brazil's most distinguished contemporary authors. Somewhat similar to newspaper columns and sometimes resembling short stories or essays, these entertaining crônicas deal with various aspects of life in Brazil, particularly urban life and especially that of Rio de Janeiro. Designed to assist students in developing a reading, speaking, and writing knowledge of Portuguese as it is used in present-day Brazil, the book includes explanatory notes, a variety of exercises and drills, and a vocabulary.  The editors have tested these crônicas in actual classroom situations at different levels and have found them suitable for use as early as the first year, after students have completed study of any elementary Portuguese grammar. Because of the intrinsic interest and the lively colloquial style of the crônicas they can also be used in more advanced classes, as a basis for conversation and composition or for study of representative contemporary Brazilian writing.

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