Answer the questions at the end based on the text.

CHAPTER IX.

SIR SIDNEY SMITH.

The first intimation that Napoleon received that the Sultan had declared war with France, was the news that an army from Syria had advanced and established itself at a fort in the desert half-way between the frontier of that country and Egypt. He had, in the interval, endeavoured to make himself familiar with the country. Forts had been erected all round Cairo on heights dominating the town, so that a comparatively small force could overawe the population. He himself paid two visits to Suez. Desaix had pushed the Mamelukes still farther into Upper Egypt; a division had established the French authority at Damietta and Rosetta, and every arrangement was made by which the main body of the army could move away with a fair hope that Egypt would remain quiet during its absence.

It was now the beginning of December. During the journey down to the coast Edgar had thought seriously of his position. It seemed to him that, although finally the French would have to evacuate Egypt, a long time might elapse before this took place, and he finally came to the resolution to attempt to escape. He was doing neither himself nor his father any good by remaining. He had already witnessed a great battle by land, and one by sea, and he thought, by returning home and rejoining his father, he would be better employed in acquiring commercial knowledge in a business in London than in remaining in Egypt. Accordingly, on the day after his arrival at the oasis he mounted and rode into Alexandria, and entered his father's place of business for the first time since the French had landed. Muller did not recognize him as he entered, owing to his Arab dress and coloured skin. There were two native clerks present, and Edgar went up to him, and said in a low voice:

1. Who did the Sultan declare war with?
2. What was the first clue of war?
3. What other country was involved?
4. What was built in high places in Cairo?
5. Where did he go to twice?
6. Who were pushed into Upper Egypt?
7. Where had French forces settled?
8. What time of year was it?
9. Who was pondering things during the treck?
10. Did he think the French would leave soon?
11. What was his plan of action?
12. Had he been privy to any battles?
13. Who did he want to join?
14. What would he gain there?
15. Where's his father?
16. Who did not recognize him?
17. Why?
18. How many clerks were there?
19. What did Edgar get up and do?

Numbered answers:

A: 1. France
2. news that an army from Syria had advanced
3. Egypt
4. Forts
5. Suez
6. the Mamelukes
7. Egypt
8. beginning of December.
9. Edgar
10. No
11. attempt to escape.
12. Yes
13. his father,
14. commercial knowledge
15. London
16. Muller
17. his Arab dress and coloured skin
18. two
19. went up to him

Question: CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

LITTLE FAITHFUL

For a week the amount of virtue in the old house would have supplied the neighborhood. It was really amazing, for everyone seemed in a heavenly frame of mind, and self-denial was all the fashion. Relieved of their first anxiety about their father, the girls insensibly relaxed their praiseworthy efforts a little, and began to fall back into old ways. They did not forget their motto, but hoping and keeping busy seemed to grow easier, and after such tremendous exertions, they felt that Endeavor deserved a holiday, and gave it a good many.

Jo caught a bad cold through neglect to cover the shorn head enough, and was ordered to stay at home till she was better, for Aunt March didn't like to hear people read with colds in their heads. Jo liked this, and after an energetic rummage from garret to cellar, subsided on the sofa to nurse her cold with arsenicum and books. Amy found that housework and art did not go well together, and returned to her mud pies. Meg went daily to her pupils, and sewed, or thought she did, at home, but much time was spent in writing long letters to her mother, or reading the Washington dispatches over and over. Beth kept on, with only slight relapses into idleness or grieving.

All the little duties were faithfully done each day, and many of her sisters' also, for they were forgetful, and the house seemed like a clock whose pendulum was gone a-visiting. When her heart got heavy with longings for Mother or fears for Father, she went away into a certain closet, hid her face in the folds of a dear old gown, and made her little moan and prayed her little prayer quietly by herself. Nobody knew what cheered her up after a sober fit, but everyone felt how sweet and helpful Beth was, and fell into a way of going to her for comfort or advice in their small affairs. 1. Who caught a cold?
2. How?
3. Who was making pies?
4. What kind?
5. Who would go to the closet?
6. What did she do in there?
7. Did anyone know how to cheer her up?
8. What reason would the others seek her out?
9. Who were the girls feeling anxious about?
10. Who earned a vacation? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers: 1. Jo
2. through neglect to cover her head
3. Amy
4. mud pies.
5. Beth
6. prayed
7. no
8. comfort or advice
9. their father
10. Endeavor

Q: A UN report said that around 60 million people across the world are drinking polluted water. Some 4,500 children die every day because of polluted water. A report showed that environmental problems kill 3 million children under five years old each year, making them one of the key contributors in more than 10 million child deaths each year. Dangerous factors include indoor and outdoor air pollution, water pollution. Another study showed that parents and scientists from seven countries including the United States and India think pollution is the biggest threat to children's living environment. Mrs Green tries to teach her daughter Susan by setting a personal example. She picks out recyclable waste and uses the water from the washing machine to wash the toilet. Chinese children mostly learn about environmental protection in school. Some non-governmental organizations and child centres also teach kids to protect the environment. "More parents have known about it. Family is now playing a more important role," says a Chinese official. Vera Lehmann, a German scientist says many Chinese now think more of pollution. "I was surprised to find many schools in China are willing to educate the children on environment," Lehmann said. "There has been a big change between now and ten years ago when I first travelled here."

1. polluted
2. 60 million people
3. 4,500
4. 3 million children
5. indoor and outdoor air pollution
6. water pollution
7. parents and scientists
8. from seven countries
9. United States
10. India

Numbered questions:
1. What kind of water are millions of people drinking?
2. How many people are drinking it?
3. How many children pass daily because of it?
4. How many children younger than 3 die from environmental problems yearly?
5. What is one of the dangerous factors?
6. And another?
7. Who thinks that pollution is the biggest problem for children worldwide?
8. From where?
9. What is one country?
10. And another?