Problem: Johnson went to Penquay for the weekend. He arrived there late on Friday evening. The landlady of the guest house, Mrs. Smith, answered the door and showed him to his room. Johnson was very tired and went straight to bed. He slept well and didn't wake up until nine o'clock the next morning.

Johnson went downstairs for breakfast. Because there were no other guests, Mrs. Smith invited him to have breakfast with her family. Her only daughter, Catherine, about 13, was already sitting in the dining-room. Mrs. Smith went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Johnson noticed there were four places at the table and asked Catherine if there was another guest. Catherine told him that it was an empty place. And it used to be her father's place. Her father had been a fisherman. Three years before he had gone out in his boat, and had never returned. Her mother always kept that place for him and made his breakfast every morning. Catherine showed him his photo on the wall. Johnson said nothing, but looked very puzzled . At that moment Mrs. Smith returned. She served four cups of tea, and put one in the empty place. Looking at the empty chair, Johnson was more puzzled.

Suddenly, Johnson heard footsteps outside the door and a tall man with a black beard walked into the room. Johnson looked scared. It was the man in the photo. He jumped up and ran out of the room. The man asked, "What's the matter?" Catherine said, "I don't know. He's a guest from London. He's here because a tall man with a black beard tried to kill him." "Catherine," the man said, "have you been telling stories again?" "Stories, father? Me?" the girl laughed.
1. where was the guest house?
2. who was in charge there?
3. who was visiting?
4. when did he get there?
5. for how long?
6. What did he do when he arrived?
7. why?
8. did he have trouble sleeping?
9. how many other guests were staying?
10. who did he have breakfast with?
11. who was the empty plate for?
12. where is he?
13. how did Johnson react when he came in?
14. why was he scared?
15. what was scary about him?
16. who said that?
17. why?
18. was she joking?
Answer: 1. Penquay
2. Mrs. Smith
3. Johnson
4. Friday evening
5. the weekend
6. went straight to bed
7. he was very tired
8. no
9. none
10. Catherine
11. her father
12. outside
13. He jumped up and ran out of the room
14. It was the man in the photo.
15. Three years before he had gone out in his boat, and had never returned.
16. Catherine
17. Johnson noticed there were four places at the table
18. Yes

Problem: CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

IN WHICH TOM PINCH AND HIS SISTER TAKE A LITTLE PLEASURE; BUT QUITE IN A DOMESTIC WAY, AND WITH NO CEREMONY ABOUT IT

Tom Pinch and his sister having to part, for the dispatch of the morning's business, immediately after the dispersion of the other actors in the scene upon the wharf with which the reader has been already made acquainted, had no opportunity of discussing the subject at that time. But Tom, in his solitary office, and Ruth, in the triangular parlour, thought about nothing else all day; and, when their hour of meeting in the afternoon approached, they were very full of it, to be sure.

There was a little plot between them, that Tom should always come out of the Temple by one way; and that was past the fountain. Coming through Fountain Court, he was just to glance down the steps leading into Garden Court, and to look once all round him; and if Ruth had come to meet him, there he would see her; not sauntering, you understand (on account of the clerks), but coming briskly up, with the best little laugh upon her face that ever played in opposition to the fountain, and beat it all to nothing. For, fifty to one, Tom had been looking for her in the wrong direction, and had quite given her up, while she had been tripping towards him from the first; jingling that little reticule of hers (with all the keys in it) to attract his wandering observation.
1. Did two people have a small scheme?
2. Who?
3. Where was he to exit by?
4. What is he exiting?
5. Where is he when he's to peer down the stairs?
6. Where do they lead?
7. Is she supposed to casually stroll?
8. Why not?
9. What is she to do instead?
10. Will she appear somber or happy?
11. When did they leave one another earlier?
12. Of whom?
13. Where?
14. Which is on what?
15. Does he have a social work space?
16. What shape is her room?
17. Did they think about a bunch of different things all day?
18. What are the odds that he looked for her in the wrong spot?
19. What did she use to make noise?
20. For what purpose?
Answer: 1. Yes
2. TOM PINCH AND HIS SISTER
3. past the fountain
4. the Temple
5. Coming through Fountain Court
6. into Garden Court
7. No
8. on account of the clerks
9. briskly
10. Yes
11. immediately after the dispersion
12. the other actors
13. in the scene
14. the wharf
15. No
16. triangular
17. No
18. fifty to one
19. that little reticule of hers
20. to attract his wandering observation

Problem: CHAPTER VI

Miss Mackenzie Goes to the Cedars

About the middle of December Mrs Mackenzie, of Gower Street, received a letter from her sister-in-law at Littlebath, in which it was proposed that Susanna should pass the Christmas holidays with her father and mother. "I myself," said the letter, "am going for three weeks to the Cedars. Lady Ball has written to me, and as she seems to wish it, I shall go. It is always well, I think, to drop family dissensions." The letter said a great deal more, for Margaret Mackenzie, not having much business on hand, was fond of writing long letters; but the upshot of it was, that she would leave Susanna in Gower Street, on her way to the Cedars, and call for her on her return home.

"What on earth is she going there for?" said Mrs Tom Mackenzie.

"Because they have asked her," replied the husband.

"Of course they have asked her; but that's no reason she should go. The Balls have behaved very badly to us, and I should think much better of her if she stayed away."

To this Mr Mackenzie made no answer, but simply remarked that he would be rejoiced in having Susanna at home on Christmas Day.

"That's all very well, my dear," said Mrs Tom, "and of course so shall I. But as she has taken the charge of the child I don't think she ought to drop her down and pick her up just whenever she pleases. Suppose she was to take it into her head to stop at the Cedars altogether, what are we to do then?--just have the girl returned upon our hands, with all her ideas of life confused and deranged. I hate such ways."
1. How did the Balls behave?
2. What would make Mr Mackenzie happy?
3. When?
4. What is the title of this Chapter?
5. Is it Chapter V?
6. Which chapter is it?
7. When did Mrs Mackenzie receive a note?
8. Towards the beginning of the month?
9. When?
10. Who was the letter from?
11. Where did she live?
12. What about Mrs MacKenzie?
13. Does the letter suggest an idea?
14. In regards to a holiday?
15. Which one?
16. Was the letter short?
17. How much did it say?
18. Did the writer normally send lengthy notes?
19. Would Susanna be going on the trip?
20. What kind of ideas about life does the girl have?
Answer:
1. badly
2. having Susanna at home
3. Christmas
4. Miss Mackenzie Goes to the Cedars
5. no
6. VI
7. December
8. no
9. middle
10. sister-in-law
11. Littlebath
12. Gower Street,
13. yes
14. yes
15. Christmas
16. no
17. great deal
18. no
19. yes
20. life confused and deranged