A Triumph of Surgery - Reading Comprehension Passages

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A Triumph of Surgery - Reading Comprehension Passages

Reading Comprehension 1

I WAS really worried about Tricki this time. I had pulled up my car when I saw him in the street with his mistress and I was shocked at his appearance. He had become hugely fat, like a bloated sausage with a leg at each corner. His eyes, bloodshot and rheumy, stared straight ahead and his tongue lolled from his jaws.

Mrs Pumphrey hastened to explain, “He was so listless, Mr Herriot. He seemed to have no energy. I thought he must be suffering from malnutrition, so I have been giving him some little extras between meals to build him up, some malt and cod-liver oil and a bowl of Horlicks at night to make him sleep — nothing much really.”

And did you cut down on the sweet things as I told you?”

“Oh, I did for a bit, but he seemed to be so weak I had to relent. He does love cream cakes and chocolates so. I can’t bear to refuse him.”

1. What is Tricki's current condition according to the passage?

a) Energetic and lively

b) Skinny and undernourished

c) Hugely fat and bloated

d) Lean and muscular

2. What has Mrs. Pumphrey been giving Tricki to build him up?

a) Malt, cod-liver oil, and chocolate

b) Horlicks, cream cakes, and sweets

c) Horlicks, cream cakes, and malt

d) Cod-liver oil, cream cakes, and sweets

3. Why did Mrs. Pumphrey give Tricki "some little extras between meals"?

a) To make him lose weight

b) To improve his energy levels

c) To make him sleep better at night

d) To prevent malnutrition

4. What was Mrs. Pumphrey's initial concern about Tricki's health?

a) Malnutrition

b) Overweight

c) Lack of exercise

d) Allergies

5. Why did Mrs. Pumphrey relent and give Tricki sweet things again?

a) Tricki begged for them

b) Tricki was weak and seemed to need them

c) Tricki was punished and needed comforting

d) Tricki was losing weight too quickly

6. What was Tricki's appearance when the narrator saw him?

a) Slim and sleek

b) Lethargic and tired

c) Overweight and unhealthy

d) Energetic and playful

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Reading Comprehension 2

I looked down again at the little dog. That was the trouble. Tricki’s only fault was greed. He had never been known to refuse food; he would tackle a meal at any hour of the day or night. And I wondered about all the things Mrs Pumphrey hadn’t mentioned.

“Are you giving him plenty of exercise?”

“Well, he has his little walks with me as you can see, but Hodgkin, the gardener, has been down with lumbago, so there has been no ring-throwing lately.”

I tried to sound severe: “Now I really mean this. If you don’t cut his food right down and give him more exercise he is going to be really ill. You must harden your heart and keep him on a very strict diet.”

Mrs Pumphrey wrung her hands. “Oh I will, Mr Herriot. I’m sure you are right, but it is so difficult, so very difficult.” She set off, head down, along the road, as if determined to put the new regime into practice immediately.

1. What is Tricki's primary fault according to the passage?

a) Aggression

b) Laziness

c) Greed

d) Fearfulness

2. What is Hodgkin's ailment that affects Tricki's exercise routine?

a) Lumbago

b) Arthritis

c) Sprained ankle

d) Migraine

3. What advice does the narrator give to Mrs. Pumphrey?

a) Give Tricki more treats

b) Increase Tricki's meal portions

c) Cut Tricki's food down and give him more exercise

d) Hire a new gardener

4. Why does Mrs. Pumphrey find it difficult to follow the advice?

a) She disagrees with the advice

b) She is too busy to implement it

c) She lacks the willpower to resist Tricki's demands

d) She is unable to afford the necessary changes

5. How does Mrs. Pumphrey react to the narrator's advice?

a) She dismisses it

b) She agrees but doesn't intend to follow it

c) She agrees and promises to follow it

d) She becomes angry and defensive

6. What does Mrs. Pumphrey seem determined to do after the conversation?

a) Give Tricki more treats

b) Ignore the narrator's advice

c) Implement the new diet and exercise regime immediately

d) Seek a second opinion from another vet

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Reading Comprehension 3

I watched their progress with growing concern. Tricki was tottering along in his little tweed coat; he had a whole wardrobe of these coats — for the cold weather and a raincoat for the wet days. He struggled on, drooping in his harness. I thought it wouldn’t be long before I heard from Mrs Pumphrey.

The expected call came within a few days. Mrs Pumphrey was distraught. Tricki would eat nothing. Refused even his favourite dishes; and besides, he had bouts of vomiting. He spent all his time lying on a rug, panting. Didn’t want to go for walks, didn’t want to do anything.

I had made my plans in advance. The only way was to get Tricki out of the house for a period. I suggested that he be hospitalised for about a fortnight to be kept under observation.

The poor lady almost swooned. She was sure he would pine and die if he did not see her every day.

1. What is Tricki's condition as described in the passage?

a) Energetic and playful

b) Refusing to eat and vomiting

c) Overweight and lethargic

d) Happy and content

2. What clothing does Tricki wear during his walks?

a) Raincoat

b) T-shirt

c) Sweater

d) Tweed coat

3. How does Tricki behave during his walks according to the passage?

a) He runs around excitedly

b) He struggles and droops in his harness

c) He refuses to move

d) He pulls on the leash eagerly

4. What symptoms does Tricki exhibit that concern Mrs. Pumphrey?

a) Coughing and sneezing

b) Vomiting and panting

c) Limping and whining

d) Scratching and itching

5. What suggestion does the narrator make to address Tricki's condition?

a) Take him for longer walks

b) Change his diet

c) Hospitalize him for observation

d) Give him more treats

6. How does Mrs. Pumphrey react to the suggestion of hospitalization?

a) She agrees immediately

b) She refuses adamantly

c) She considers it reluctantly

d) She suggests an alternative solution

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Reading Comprehension 4

But I took a firm line. Tricki was very ill and this was the only way to save him; in fact, I thought it best to take him without delay and, followed by Mrs Pumphrey’s wailings, I marched out to the car carrying the little dog wrapped in a blanket.

The entire staff was roused and maids rushed in and out bringing his day bed, his night bed, favourite cushions, toys and rubber rings, breakfast bowl, lunch bowl, supper bowl. Realising that my car would never hold all the stuff, I started to drive away. As I moved off, Mrs Pumphrey, with a despairing cry, threw an armful of the little coats through the window. I looked in the mirror before I turned the corner of the drive; everybody was in tears.

Out on the road, I glanced down at the pathetic little animal gasping on the seat by my side. I patted the head and Tricki made a brave effort to wag his tail. “Poor old lad,” I said. “You haven’t a kick in you but I think I know a cure for you.”

1. Why does the narrator decide to take Tricki to the hospital?

a) Tricki refuses to eat

b) Tricki is very ill and needs immediate attention

c) Tricki is overweight and needs to lose weight

d) Tricki is not getting enough exercise

2. How does Mrs. Pumphrey react when the narrator takes Tricki away?

a) She is relieved and grateful

b) She protests and wails

c) She offers to accompany them to the hospital

d) She remains calm and composed

3. What items does the staff bring for Tricki?

a) Food and water bowls

b) Toys and rubber rings

c) His day bed and night bed

d) All of the above

4. Why does the narrator drive away without taking all of Tricki's belongings?

a) Tricki doesn't need them

b) There's not enough space in the car

c) They can be picked up later

d) Mrs. Pumphrey insists on keeping some items

5. How does Mrs. Pumphrey express her despair when the narrator drives off?

a) She throws an armful of Tricki's coats through the window

b) She shouts angrily at the narrator

c) She calmly waves goodbye

d) She laughs and jokes about the situation

6. How does Tricki react to the narrator's comforting words?

a) He barks loudly

b) He tries to wag his tail

c) He falls asleep

d) He becomes anxious

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Reading Comprehension 5

At the surgery, the household dogs surged round me. Tricki looked down at the noisy pack with dull eyes and, when put down, lay motionless on the carpet. The other dogs, after sniffing round him for a few seconds, decided he was an uninteresting object and ignored him.

I made up a bed for him in a warm loose box next to the one where the other dogs slept. For two days I kept an eye on him, giving him no food but plenty of water. At the end of the second day he started to show some interest in his surroundings and on the third he began to whimper when he heard the dogs in the yard.

When I opened the door, Tricki trotted out and was immediately engulfed by Joe, the greyhound, and his friends. After rolling him over and thoroughly inspecting him, the dogs moved off down the garden. Tricki followed them, rolling slightly with his surplus fat.

Later that day, I was present at feeding time. I watched while Tristan slopped the food into the bowls. There was the usual headlong rush followed by the sounds of high-speed eating; every dog knew that if he fell behind the others he was liable to have some competition for the last part of his meal.

When they had finished, Tricki took a walk round the shining bowls, licking casually inside one or two of them. Next day, an extra bowl was put out for him and I was pleased to see him jostling his way towards it.

1. How did Tricki behave when surrounded by the household dogs at the surgery?

a) He played energetically with them

b) He showed no interest and remained motionless

c) He barked loudly at them

d) He immediately started playing with them

2. What did the other dogs do when they encountered Tricki?

a) They ignored him completely

b) They sniffed around him briefly and then ignored him

c) They played with him enthusiastically

d) They growled and chased him away

3. How did the narrator care for Tricki during his stay at the surgery?

a) By feeding him plenty of food

b) By giving him only water for two days

c) By keeping him in a cold environment

d) By letting him roam freely with the other dogs

4. How did Tricki initially react when he heard the other dogs in the yard?

a) He whimpered and showed signs of interest

b) He remained motionless and unresponsive

c) He barked loudly at them

d) He immediately ran towards them

5. What change did the narrator observe in Tricki's behavior on the third day?

a) He became more lethargic

b) He started to show interest in his surroundings

c) He became aggressive towards the other dogs

d) He refused to eat any food

6. How did Tricki behave during feeding time?

a) He ate quickly and eagerly like the other dogs

b) He refused to eat anything

c) He waited patiently for his turn to eat

d) He only licked the inside of the bowls

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Reading Comprehension 6

From then on, his progress was rapid. He had no medicinal treatment of any kind but all day he ran about with the dogs, joining in their friendly scrimmages. He discovered the joys of being bowled over, tramped on and squashed every few minutes. He became an accepted member of the gang, an unlikely, silky little object among the shaggy crew, fighting like a tiger for his share at mealtimes and hunting rats in the old henhouse at night. He had never had such a time in his life.

All the while, Mrs Pumphrey hovered anxiously in the background, ringing a dozen times a day for the latest bulletins. I dodged the questions about whether his cushions were being turned regularly or his correct coat worn according to the weather; but I was able to tell her that the little fellow was out of danger and convalescing rapidly.

The word ‘convalescing’ seemed to do something to Mrs Pumphrey. She started to bring round fresh eggs, two dozen at a time, to build up Tricki’s strength. For a happy period my partners and I had two eggs each for breakfast, but when the bottles of wine began to arrive, the real possibilities of the situation began to dawn on the household.

1. How did Tricki's progress change after being allowed to interact with the other dogs?

a) He became more lethargic

b) He required medicinal treatment

c) His progress was rapid and he joined in their activities

d) He became aggressive towards the other dogs

2. How did Tricki integrate with the other dogs?

a) He remained aloof and distant

b) He became their leader

c) He fought with them constantly

d) He became an accepted member of the group and participated in their activities

3. What did Tricki enjoy doing during his time with the other dogs?

a) Sleeping all day

b) Sunbathing in the garden

c) Playing and roughhousing with them

d) Hiding away from the other dogs

4. How did Mrs. Pumphrey react to Tricki's progress?

a) She became less concerned and stopped calling for updates

b) She became even more anxious and called more frequently

c) She stopped visiting altogether

d) She was indifferent to Tricki's condition

5. What did Mrs. Pumphrey do to try to help Tricki recover?

a) She brought fresh eggs to build up his strength

b) She took him to the veterinarian for treatment

c) She bought him new toys and treats

d) She stopped visiting him altogether

6. How did the narrator and his partners initially react to Mrs. Pumphrey's generosity?

a) They were grateful for the gifts

b) They felt overwhelmed by the amount of eggs

c) They were suspicious of her motives

d) They rejected the gifts

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Reading Comprehension 7

It was to enrich Tricki’s blood. Lunch became a ceremonial occasion with two glasses of wine before and several during the meal.

We could hardly believe it when the brandy came to put a final edge on Tricki’s constitution. For a few nights the fine spirit was rolled around, inhaled and reverently drunk.

They were days of deep content, starting well with the extra egg in the morning, improved and sustained by the midday wine and finishing luxuriously round the fire with the brandy.

It was a temptation to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest, but I knew Mrs Pumphrey was suffering and after a fortnight, felt compelled to phone and tell her that the little dog had recovered and was awaiting collection.

Within minutes, about thirty feet of gleaming black metal drew up outside the surgery. The chauffeur opened the door and I could just make out the figure of Mrs Pumphrey almost lost in the interior. Her hands were tightly clasped in front of her; her lips trembled. “Oh, Mr Herriot, do tell me the truth. Is he really better?”

“Yes, he’s fine. There’s no need for you to get out of the car — I’ll go and fetch him.”

1. What was the purpose of enriching Tricki's blood mentioned in the passage?

a) To improve his digestion

b) To enhance his energy levels

c) To boost his overall health

d) To increase his appetite

2. How did lunchtime become a ceremonial occasion for Tricki?

a) By serving him special treats

b) By providing him with two glasses of wine before and during the meal

c) By allowing him to dine outside in the garden

d) By inviting other dogs to join the meal

3. What role did brandy play in Tricki's recovery?

a) It was used to clean his wounds

b) It was given to him as a treat before bedtime

c) It was used to put a final edge on his constitution

d) It was used as a disinfectant for his living area

4. How did the days unfold for Tricki during his recovery?

a) Starting with an extra egg in the morning, followed by midday wine, and finishing with brandy around the fire

b) Starting with a hearty breakfast, followed by a long walk, and ending with a light dinner

c) Starting with a visit to the veterinarian, followed by medication, and ending with rest

d) Starting with a cold bath, followed by exercise, and ending with a massage

5. Why did the narrator feel compelled to phone Mrs. Pumphrey after a fortnight?

a) To ask her to bring more gifts for Tricki

b) To inform her about Tricki's recovery and readiness for collection

c) To invite her to visit Tricki at the surgery

d) To ask for her permission to keep Tricki as a permanent guest

6. How did Mrs. Pumphrey react when she arrived to collect Tricki?

a) She was excited and relieved

b) She was angry and upset

c) She was disappointed and refused to believe Tricki was better

d) She was indifferent and didn't care about Tricki's condition

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Reading Comprehension 8

I walked through the house into the garden. A mass of dogs was hurtling round and round the lawn and in their midst, ears flapping, tail waving, was the little golden figure of Tricki. In two weeks he had been transformed into a lithe, hard-muscled animal; he was keeping up well with the pack, stretching out in great bounds, his chest almost brushing the ground.

I carried him back along the passage to the front of the house. The chauffeur was still holding the car door open and when Tricki saw his mistress he took off from my arms in a tremendous leap and sailed into Mrs Pumphrey’s lap. She gave a startled “Ooh!” And then had to defend herself as he swarmed over her, licking her face and barking.

During the excitement, I helped the chauffeur to bring out the beds, toys, cushions, coats and bowls, none of which had been used. As the car moved away, Mrs Pumphrey leaned out of the window. Tears shone in her eyes. Her lips trembled.

“Oh, Mr Herriot,” she cried, “how can I ever thank you? This is a triumph of surgery!”

1. How did Tricki appear after two weeks of recovery?

a) He was still weak and lethargic

b) He had transformed into a lithe, hard-muscled animal

c) He had gained even more weight

d) He had lost his appetite and energy

2. How did Tricki react when he saw Mrs. Pumphrey?

a) He growled and ran away

b) He jumped into her arms and showered her with affection

c) He ignored her completely

d) He barked loudly and aggressively

3. What did the narrator do during the excitement of Tricki reuniting with Mrs. Pumphrey?

a) He helped Tricki climb into the car

b) He brought out various items such as beds, toys, cushions, coats, and bowls

c) He scolded Tricki for being too excited

d) He left the scene without saying anything

4. How did Mrs. Pumphrey react when the car moved away?

a) She waved happily

b) She remained indifferent

c) Tears shone in her eyes and her lips trembled

d) She laughed loudly

5. What did Mrs. Pumphrey say to the narrator as the car was leaving?

a) "This is a disaster!"

b) "Tricki looks terrible!"

c) "How can I ever thank you? This is a triumph of surgery!"

d) "I demand a refund!"

6. What does the passage suggest about Tricki's overall recovery?

a) He still needs more time to fully recover

b) He has fully recovered and is now healthy and energetic

c) His condition has worsened despite the treatment

d) His recovery is uncertain and may require further medical attention

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