Comprehension exercises
1. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:
(a) With a shudder Swami realized that it was
(i) Friday
(ii) Thursday
(iii) Wednesday
(iv) Monday
Ans: (iv) Monday
(b) When Swami ought to have been in the school prayer hall, he was lying on the
(i) bench
(ii) table
(iii) bed
(iv) desk
Ans: (i) bench
(c) According to Swami, Samuel is especially angry with boys who are
(i) absent
(ii) late
(iii) inattentive
(iv) undisciplined
Ans: (ii) late
2. Fill in the chart with information from the text:
Ans:
3. State whether the following statements are True or False. Provide sentences/ phrases/words in support of your answer:
(a) Swami said that he had a headache.
Supporting statement: ___________________________________
Ans: True
Supporting statement: At nine o’clock, Swaminathan wailed, “I have a headache.”
(b) Swami was lying in his father’s room.
Supporting statement: ___________________________________
Ans: False
(c) According to Swami, the headmaster was not afraid of Samuel.
Supporting statement: ___________________________________
Ans: False
Supporting statement: “They say that even the headmaster is afraid of him.”
Comprehension exercises
4. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:
(a) Father decided to send the headmaster a
(i) telegram
(ii) notice
(iii) letter
(iv) report
Ans: (iii) letter
(b) While going to school Swami was bothered by
(i) conscience
(ii) headache
(iii) toothache
(iv) fever
Ans: (i) conscience
(c) The colour of Samuel’s coat was
(i) black
(ii) blue
(iii) white
(iv) yellow
Ans: (iv) yellow
5. Complete the following sentences with information from the text:
(a) Father’s behaviour took an ______________
Ans: Father’s behaviour took an unexpected turn.
(b) Swami went to school feeling ______________
Ans: Swami went to school feeling that he was the worst boy on earth.
(c) Swami stopped on the roadside to ______________
Ans: Swami stopped on the roadside to make up his mind about Samuel.
6. Answer the following questions:
(a) Where did Father put the letter?
Ans: Father put the letter in an envelope and sealed it.
(b) What did Swami fail to decide about Samuel?
Ans: Swami failed to decide if Samuel really deserved the allegations.
(c) How did Samuel look?
Ans: Samuel had dark face, thin moustache, unshaven cheek and wore a yellow coat.
Comprehension exercises
7. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:
(a) When Swami entered the class, Samuel was teaching
(i) history
(ii) arithmetic
(iii) science
(iv) geography
Ans: (ii) arithmetic
(b) Swami was late to school by
(i) half an hour
(ii) an hour
(iii) two hours
(iv) three hours
Ans: (i) half an hour
(c) The headmaster was on a leave for one
(i) day
(ii) month
(iii) year
(iv) week
Ans: (iv) week
8. Complete the following sentences with information from the text:
(a) As Swami entered the school gate ______________________
Ans: As Swami entered the school gate, an idea occurred to him.
(b) Swami stood at ______________________
Ans: Swami stood at the entrance to his class.
(c) Father snatched the letter away from Swami and ______________________
Ans: Father snatched the letter away from Swami and tore it up.
9. Fill in the chart with information from the text:
Ans: