Answer the questions at the end based on the text.

Will you want me to read a whole book in English?

Yes. Believe it or not, that may be easier than you think. Not all classics are so difficult or complicated. So you're not limited to the simplified versions. And the easier books are not all for children.

In the original versions ,books may send you to the dictionary. And you might not understand everything you read. But reading one from cover to cover will give you a real sense of accomplishment.

The key is to find the right books. Let's take a look at these.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (C.S. Lewis)

Stepping into an old wardrobe, four English schoolchildren find themselves in the magical world of Narnia. On this delightful land, they find friends among the many talking creatures.

The children soon discover, however, that Narnia is ruled by the White Witch. Edmund, one of the children, falls under her power. Who can free Narnia? Only Aslan, the great and noble lion. He alone knows the Deeper Magic. But the children themselves must help fight the battle against the White Witch and those who serve her.

The Old Man and the Sea (Ernest Hemingway)

Santiago, an old Cuban fisherman, hasn't caught any fish in more than 80 days. Sailing far out from land, the old man hooks an enormous fish. That begins an agonizing three-day battle. First he struggles against the great fish. Then he must fight off the sharks that circle the little boat and threaten to eat his fish. Exhausted and bleeding, the old man arrives back at shore. But his fish, his beautiful fish . . .

Hemingway won the Nobel Prize for this superb story of strength and courage, of victory and regret.

A Wrinkle in Time (Madeleine Lingle)

Meg's father, a U.S. government scientist, has been missing for many months. He had been experimenting with time travel when he mysteriously disappeared.

Now Meg, her little brother Charles Wallace and her friend Calvin will try to rescue him. But first they must _ the forces of evil they encounter on their journey through time and space. Can they find Meg's father before it's too late?

This novel is more than just a science-fiction adventure. It's an exploration of the nature of our universe.

The Pearl (John Steinbeck)

One day Kino, a poor Mexican pearl diver, finds a magnificent pearl. With it he dreams of buying a better life, new clothes and schooling for his son. Instead, it brings only evil. His wife pleads with him to get rid of it. "No," says Kino. "I will have my chance. I am a man." But when he kills a man who is trying to steal the pearl, Kino and his wife must run for their lives.

This tale of dreams, justice and the power of greed is told simply and beautifully.

1. Who wrote the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe?
2. Where does it take place?
3. Who is the lion in the story?
4. Who is he and the children fighting against?
5. What award did The Old Man and the Sea receive?
6. Who is it written by?
7. Who wrote A Wrinkle in Time?
8. What is Meg's father's profession?
9. What was he doing when he disappeared?
10. How long has he been gone?
11. How many children will try and rescue him?
12. What does Kino find?
13. What does he hope it will bring him?
14. What did he want for his son?
15. Did the pearl grant his wishes?
16. What country is Kino from?
17. Who wrote the story?
18. How long does Santiago fight for his fish?
19. How many days had he previously gone without a catch?
20. What will reading a novel front to back give you?

Numbered answers:

A: 1. C.S. Lewis.
2. Narnia.
3. Aslan.
4. The White Witch.
5. Nobel Prize.
6. Ernest Hemingway.
7. Madeleine Lingle.
8. U.S. government scientist.
9. Experimenting with time travel.
10. Many months.
11. Three.
12. A magnificent pearl.
13. A better life.
14. Schooling.
15. No.
16. Mexico.
17. John Steinbeck.
18. 3 days.
19. More than 80 days.
20. A real sense of accomplishment.

Answer the questions at the end based on the text.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE NEW DECK HAND

Having said so much, Peter Slade seemed more inclined to talk, one reason being that he wanted to get at the bottom of the mystery which had brought Tad Sobber and his uncle to that part of the globe. Tad had hinted of great wealth, and of getting the best of the Rovers and some other people, but had not gone into any details.

Peter said he had come to Nassau to join his mother, who was stopping there for her health. His father was coming on later, and then the family was going across the ocean.

"I know there is something up between your crowd and the Merrick crowd," said the youth. "You are both after something, ain't you?"

"Yes," answered Tom.

"What?"

"I can't tell you that, Slade. It's something quite valuable, though."

"Well, I guess Sobber's uncle will get ahead of you."

"Perhaps so. What is the name of the tramp steamer he is looking for?"

"The _Josephine_."

"Was she to be here?"

"They hoped she would be."

"Were they going to hire her?" asked Sam.

"I suppose so."

"Then Merrick had money."

"Yes, he had some, and that Spaniard had some, too."

A little more conversation followed, and then the Rover boys asked Slade where he was going to stop, and said they might see him later.

"This is mighty interesting," remarked Tom, as he and his brother hurried to their hotel. "We must tell father of this without delay."

But Mr. Rover could not be found until that evening, when the party came back from the visit to the flower gardens. He listened with deep interest to what was said, and then went off on a hunt for Sid Merrick and the tramp steamer _Josephine_ without delay.

1. What brought Tad and his uncle?
2. What had Tad alluded to?
3. and?
4. Who was there for his mom?
5. Was his father there?
6. Was he going to be
7. Is Tom open with Slade about his intentions?
8. Who had money?
9. and?
10. Was Mr. Rover around at the time?

Numbered answers:

A:
1. A mystery
2. Great wealth
3. And of getting the best of the Rovers and some other people
4. Peter
5. No
6. Yes
7. No
8. Merrick
9. And Spaniard had some, too
10. No