Q: (CNN) -- If the global economy remains sluggish, a small corner of the British horse racing hub of Newmarket is very much bucking the trend.

It is nearly quarter of a millennium since Richard Tattersall founded his eponymous bloodstock auctioneers and, in 2013, Tattersalls' business is booming.

Back in October behind the gates of Tattersalls Park Paddocks, a record was set for the most ever spent on a horse in Europe -- $8.4 million (5.25 million) -- for the Galileo filly by Alluring Park.

In a nod to its old roots, all sales are still priced in guineas (effectively a pound and a shilling) so Qatari Sheikh Joann al Thani parted with five million guineas for the honor of buying this prestigious filly.

Excitement, though, is building at Tattersalls once more with the first offering from Frankel having retired and gone to stud with the pregnant Dancing Rain undoubtedly the most mouth-watering prospect going under the hammer at the two-week December sale, which starts on November 25.

Dancing Rain won both the Oaks and its German equivalent and it is more than 50 years since an Oaks winner carrying her first foal has been sold in public auction.

The fact the foal she is carrying is the offspring of Frankel, with 14 wins from as many races and undoubtedly the most acclaimed horse of its generation, makes the prospect all the more exciting.

Jimmy George, the marketing director at Tattersalls, is loathe to say he expects the record to be broken but big money will undoubtedly change hands.

Answer the following questions:
1. how long ago was Rick's business started?
2. what is it called?
3. does the company continue to thrive?
4. what type of company is it?
5. what do they sell?
6. are they expensive?
7. did any of the prices set records?
8. what one?
9. where?
10. when?
11. how much was paid?
12. was the animal a boy?
13. who bought it?
14. did one of the animals retire?
15. who?
16. what will he do with in his retirement?
17. is one of the animals expecting a baby?
18. who?
19. did she win a race?
20. what one?
A: 1. almost 250 years ago
2. Tattersalls
3. in 2013 it was
4. an auction company
5. horses
6. Yes
7. Yes
8. the most ever spent on a horse
9. in Europe
10. October
11. $8.4 million
12. No
13. Qatari Sheikh Joann al Thani
14. Yes
15. Frankel
16. breed
17. Yes
18. Dancing Rain
19. Yes
20. the Oaks

Answer the questions at the end based on the text.

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

IN WHICH MISS PECKSNIFF MAKES LOVE, MR JONAS MAKES WRATH, MRS GAMP MAKES TEA, AND MR CHUFFEY MAKES BUSINESS

On the next day's official duties coming to a close, Tom hurried home without losing any time by the way; and after dinner and a short rest sallied out again, accompanied by Ruth, to pay his projected visit to Todgers's. Tom took Ruth with him, not only because it was a great pleasure to him to have her for his companion whenever he could, but because he wished her to cherish and comfort poor Merry; which she, for her own part (having heard the wretched history of that young wife from Tom), was all eagerness to do.

'She was so glad to see me,' said Tom, 'that I am sure she will be glad to see you. Your sympathy is certain to be much more delicate and acceptable than mine.'

'I am very far from being certain of that, Tom,' she replied; 'and indeed you do yourself an injustice. Indeed you do. But I hope she may like me, Tom.'

'Oh, she is sure to do that!' cried Tom, confidently.

'What a number of friends I should have, if everybody was of your way of thinking. Shouldn't I, Tom, dear?' said his little sister pinching him upon the cheek.

Tom laughed, and said that with reference to this particular case he had no doubt at all of finding a disciple in Merry. 'For you women,' said Tom, 'you women, my dear, are so kind, and in your kindness have such nice perception; you know so well how to be affectionate and full of solicitude without appearing to be; your gentleness of feeling is like your touch so light and easy, that the one enables you to deal with wounds of the mind as tenderly as the other enables you to deal with wounds of the body. You are such--'

1. Who returned to his house in a hurry?
2. did he remain there all evening?
3. what did he do before he set out again?
4. did he go back out by himself?
5. who went along with him?
6. who were they going to visit?
7. what is Tom and Ruth's relationship?
8. are they visiting a particular person at their destination?
9. and who is that?
10. Is Ruth sure Merry will like her?
11. what does her brother believe?
12. Why does he believe Merry will be happy to see Ruth?

Numbered answers:

A: 1. Tom
2. No
3. Ate dinner and had a short rest
4. No
5. Ruth
6. Todgers
7. Siblings
8. Yes
9. Merry
10. No
11. She is sure to like her
12. Ruth has kindness and nice perception

Answer the questions at the end based on the text.

CHAPTER VII

I experienced a great surprise a few mornings afterwards. I had risen quite early, and found the Celebrity's man superintending the hoisting of luggage on top of a van.

"Is your master leaving?" I asked.

"He's off to Mohair now, sir," said the valet, with a salute.

At that instant the Celebrity himself appeared.

"Yes, old chap, I'm off to Mohair," he explained. "There's more sport in a day up there than you get here in a season. Beastly slow place, this, unless one is a deacon or a doctor of divinity. Why don't you come up, Crocker? Cooke would like nothing better; he has told me so a dozen times."

"He is very good," I replied. I could not resist the temptation to add, "I had an idea Asquith rather suited your purposes just now."

"I don't quite understand," he said, jumping at the other half of my meaning.

"Oh, nothing. But you told me when you came here, if I am not mistaken, that you chose Asquith because of those very qualities for which you now condemn it."

"Magna est vis consuetudinis," he laughed; "I thought I could stand the life, but I can't. I am tired of their sects and synods and sermons. By the way," said he pulling at my sleeve, "what a deuced pretty girl that Miss Thorn is! Isn't she? Rollins, where's the cart? Well, good-bye, Crocker; see you soon."

He drove rapidly off as the clock struck six, and an uneasy glance he gave the upper windows did not escape me. When Farrar appeared, I told him what had happened.

1. who asks about the celebrity?
2. where was the man putting the baggage?
3. where is the celeb going to?
4. Is he happy at Asquith?
5. who does he say would like it?
6. what did he say about Asquith?
7. why not?
8. does he think it is fast paced?
9. did he like Asquith in the past?

Numbered answers:

A:
1. Crocker
2. on top of a van
3. Mohair
4. no
5. Cooke
6. That he cant stand the life there
7. because of their sects and synods and sermons
8. unknown
9. Yes he did