The Beggar - Reading Comprehension

AP / NCERT Board-Based Reading Comprehension Passages Grade 9 Supplementary Reader Moments 

Chapter 8 The Beggar

Reading Comprehension 1

“KIND sir, have pity; turn your attention to a poor, hungry man! For three days I have had nothing to eat; I haven’t five copecks for a lodging, I swear it before God. For eight years I was a village schoolteacher and then I lost my place through intrigues. I fell a victim to calumny. It is a year now since I have had anything to do.”

  The advocate, Sergei, looked at the ragged, fawn-coloured overcoat of the suppliant, at his dull, drunken eyes, at the red spot on either cheek, and it seemed to him as if he had seen this man somewhere before.

  “I have now had an offer of a position in the province of Kaluga,” the mendicant went on, “but I haven’t the money to get there. Help me kindly; I am ashamed to ask, but — I am obliged to by circumstances.”

  Sergei’s eyes fell on the man’s overshoes, one of which was high and the other low, and he suddenly remembered something.

1. What is the beggar asking for?

        a) Food to eat

        b) Money for lodging

        c) Help to get a job

        d) Assistance to travel to Kaluga

2. Why did the beggar lose his job as a village schoolteacher?

        a) He was involved in intrigues.

        b) He was a victim of calumny.

        c) He became a beggar and couldn't continue his job.

        d) He was found guilty of a crime.

3. How does the advocate, Sergei, feel about the beggar's request?

        a) Annoyed and impatient

        b) Sympathetic and willing to help

        c) Disinterested and indifferent

        d) Skeptical and doubtful

4. What detail makes Sergei remember something about the beggar?

        a) His ragged overcoat

        b) His dull, drunken eyes

        c) The red spot on his cheeks

5. Where does the beggar say he has been offered a position?

        a) Moscow

        b) St. Petersburg

        c) Kaluga

        d) Village

Reading Comprehension 2

“Look here, it seems to me I met you the day before yesterday in Sadovya Street,” he said; “but you told me then that you were a student who had been expelled, and not a village schoolteacher. Do you remember?”

  “N-no, that can’t be so,” mumbled the beggar, taken aback. “I am a village schoolteacher, and if you like I can show you my papers.”

  “Have done with lying! You called yourself a student and even told me what you had been expelled for. Don’t you remember?”

 

  Sergei flushed and turned from the ragged creature with an expression of disgust.

 

  “This is dishonesty, my dear sir!” he cried angrily. “This is swindling — I shall send the police for you, damn you!”

1. What does the advocate, Sergei, accuse the beggar of?

        a) Being a village schoolteacher

        b) Lying about his identity

        c) Being a swindler

        d) Having papers to prove his claims

2. Where does Sergei claim to have met the beggar before?

        a) Sadovya Street

        b) Kaluga

        c) St. Petersburg

        d) Village

3. How does the beggar respond to Sergei's accusation?

        a) He admits to lying and apologizes.

        b) He denies the accusation and offers to show his papers.

        c) He remains silent and walks away.

        d) He laughs and admits to being a swindler.

4. How does Sergei react to the beggar's response?

        a) He becomes sympathetic and offers to help.

        b) He turns away with disgust and anger.

        c) He calls the police to report the beggar.

        d) He laughs at the beggar's attempt to prove himself.

5. What does Sergei threaten to do to the beggar?

        a) Send him to Kaluga

        b) Send the police for him

        c) Offer him a job

        d) Give him money for food

Reading Comprehension 3

“Sir!” he said, laying his hand on his heart, “the fact is I was lying! I am neither a student nor a schoolteacher. All that was fiction. Formerly I sang in a Russian choir and was sent away for drunkenness. But what else can I do? I can’t get along without lying. No one will give me anything when I tell the truth, what can I do?”

  “What can you do? You ask what you can do?” cried Sergei, coming close to him. “Work! That’s what you can do! You must work!”

  “Work — yes. I know that myself; but where can I find work?”

  “How would you like to chop wood for me?”

  “I wouldn’t refuse to do that, but in these days even skilled wood-cutters find themselves sitting without bread.”

  “Will you come and chop wood for me?”

  “Yes sir, I will.”

  “Very well; we’ll soon find out.”

  Sergei hastened along, rubbing his hands. He called his cook out of the kitchen.

  “Here, Olga,” he said, “take this gentleman into the wood-shed and let him chop wood.”

1. What was the beggar's real occupation before he started lying?

        a) Village schoolteacher

        b) Singer in a Russian choir

        c) Skilled wood-cutter

        d) Student

2. Why does the beggar say he lies?

        a) He enjoys deceiving people.

        b) He believes lying is the only way to get help.

        c) He wants to impress others with false stories.

        d) He wants to avoid chopping wood.

3. What job does Sergei offer to the beggar?

        a) Singing in a Russian choir

        b) Teaching at a school

        c) Chopping wood

        d) Cooking in the kitchen

4. Why does the beggar agree to chop wood for Sergei?

        a) He enjoys physical labor.

        b) He believes he can make a lot of money from it.

        c) He has experience as a skilled wood-cutter.

        d) He is willing to try any job to earn a living.

5. Who does Sergei ask to take the beggar to the wood-shed for work?

        a) His friend Olga

        b) The cook Olga

        c) His assistant

        d) The gardener

Reading Comprehension 4

The scarecrow of a beggar shrugged his shoulders, as if in perplexity, and went irresolutely after the cook. It was obvious from his gait that he had not consented to go and chop wood because he was hungry and wanted work, but simply from pride and shame and because he had been trapped by his own words. It was obvious, too, that his strength had been undermined by vodka and that he was unhealthy and did not feel the slightest inclination for toil.

  Sergei hurried into the dining-room. From its windows one could see the wood-shed and everything that went on in the yard. Standing at the window, Sergei saw the cook and the beggar come out into the yard by the back door and make their way across the dirty snow to the shed. Olga glared wrathfully at her companion, shoved him aside with her elbow, unlocked the shed, and angrily banged the door.

1. Why did the beggar agree to go and chop wood?

        a) He was hungry and needed work.

        b) He wanted to impress Sergei with his skills.

        c) He felt obligated to do it because of his lies.

        d) He was genuinely interested in physical labor.

2. What was the condition of the beggar's health?

        a) He was strong and healthy.

        b) He had been weakened by alcohol.

        c) He had recently recovered from an illness.

        d) He was physically fit and ready for labor.

3. How did the beggar appear while going to chop wood?

        a) Confident and eager to work

        b) Indifferent and uninterested

        c) Proud and determined

        d) Perplexed and unsure

4. What was Olga's reaction to the beggar as they went to the wood-shed?

        a) She treated him kindly and encouraged him.

        b) She shoved him aside and looked angry.

        c) She ignored him and focused on her work.

        d) She apologized for the situation.

5. What did Sergei do while Olga and the beggar were in the yard?

        a) He went to join them in the wood-shed.

        b) He watched them from the dining-room window.

        c) He went to fetch more firewood for them.

        d) He left the house to supervise their work.

Reading Comprehension 5

Next he saw the pseudo-teacher seat himself on a log and become lost in thought with his red cheeks resting on his fists. The woman flung down an axe at his feet, spat angrily, and, judging from the expression of her lips, began to scold him. The beggar irresolutely pulled a billet of wood towards him, set it up between his feet, and tapped it feebly with the axe. The billet wavered and fell down. The beggar again pulled it to him, blew on his freezing hands, and tapped it with his axe cautiously, as if afraid of hitting his overshoe or of cutting off his finger; the stick of wood again fell to the ground.

  Sergei’s anger had vanished and he now began to feel a little sorry and ashamed of himself for having set a spoiled, drunken, perhaps sick man to work at menial labour in the cold.

  An hour later Olga came in and announced that the wood had all been chopped.

  “Good! Give him half a ruble,” said Sergei. “If he wants to he can come back and cut wood on the first day of each month. We can always find work for him.”

1. What was the beggar's reaction when Olga flung down the axe at his feet?

        a) He angrily shouted at her.

        b) He immediately started chopping wood.

        c) He became lost in thought and sat down.

        d) He picked up the axe and began scolding her.

2. Why did the beggar tap the billet of wood cautiously with the axe?

        a) He wanted to impress Olga with his skill.

        b) He was afraid of hitting his overshoe.

        c) He was unsure of how to chop wood.

        d) He was trying to avoid injuring himself.

3. How did Sergei feel after observing the beggar's unsuccessful attempts at chopping wood?

        a) Angry and resentful

        b) Sorry and ashamed

        c) Indifferent and apathetic

        d) Proud and impressed

4. What task did Sergei assign to the beggar for future work opportunities?

        a) Cooking in the kitchen

        b) Chopping wood on the first day of each month

        c) Cleaning the house and yard

        d) Assisting with household repairs

5. How long did it take for the beggar to chop all the wood?

        a) One hour

        b) Two hours

        c) Half a day

        d) The text doesn't specify the time.

Reading Comprehension 7

On the first of the month the waif made his appearance and again earned half a rouble, although he could barely stand on his legs. From that day on he often appeared in the yard and every time work was found for him. Now he would shovel snow, now put the wood-shed in order, now beat the dust out of rugs and mattresses. Every time he received twenty to forty copecks, and once, even a pair of old trousers were sent out to him.

1. How often did the beggar make his appearance in the yard for work?

        a) Once a week

        b) Every day

        c) On the first day of each month

        d) Whenever there was a special occasion

2. What kind of work did the beggar do in the yard?

        a) Cooking meals

        b) Chopping wood

        c) Shoveling snow

        d) Repairing the house

3. How much money did the beggar typically receive for his work?

        a) Half a rouble

        b) Twenty to forty copecks

        c) A full rouble

        d) Two rubles

4. What was the beggar's physical condition while working?

        a) He was strong and healthy.

        b) He could barely stand on his legs.

        c) He was always energetic and lively.

        d) He had no physical issues.

5. Besides money, what other item was sent out to the beggar?

        a) A pair of old trousers

        b) A new pair of shoes

        c) A warm winter coat

        d) A bag of groceries

Reading Comprehension 7

When Sergei moved into another house he hired him to help in the packing and hauling of the furniture. This time the waif was sober, gloomy, and silent. He hardly touched the furniture, and walked behind the wagons hanging his head, not even making a pretence of appearing busy. He only shivered in the cold and became embarrassed when the carters jeered at him for his idleness, his feebleness, and his tattered, fancy overcoat. After the moving was over Sergei sent for him.

  “Well, I am happy that my words have taken effect,’” he said, handing him a rouble. “Here’s for your pains. I see you are sober and have no objection to work. What is your name?’”

  “Lushkoff.”

 

  “Well, Lushkoff, I can now offer you some other, cleaner employment. Can you write?’”

 

  “I can.”

  “Then take this letter to a friend of mine tomorrow and you will be given some copying to do. Work hard, don’t drink, and remember what I have said to you. Goodbye!”

  Pleased at having put a man on the right path, Sergei tapped Lushkoff kindly on the shoulder and even gave him his hand at parting. Lushkoff took the letter, and from that day forth came no more to the yard for work.

1. How often did the beggar make his appearance in the yard for work?

        a) Once a week

        b) Every day

        c) On the first day of each month

        d) Whenever there was a special occasion

2. What kind of work did the beggar do in the yard?

        a) Cooking meals

        b) Chopping wood

        c) Shoveling snow

        d) Repairing the house

3. How much money did the beggar typically receive for his work?

        a) Half a rouble

        b) Twenty to forty copecks

        c) A full rouble

        d) Two rubles

4. What was the beggar's physical condition while working?

        a) He was strong and healthy.

        b) He could barely stand on his legs.

        c) He was always energetic and lively.

        d) He had no physical issues.

5. Besides money, what other item was sent out to the beggar?

        a) A pair of old trousers

        b) A new pair of shoes

        c) A warm winter coat

        d) A bag of groceries

Reading Comprehension 8

Two years went by. Then one evening, as Sergei was standing at the ticket window of a theatre paying for his seat, he noticed a little man beside him with a coat collar of curly fur and a worn sealskin cap. This little individual timidly asked the ticket seller for a seat in the gallery and paid for it in copper coins.

  “Lushkoff, is that you?” cried Sergei, recognising in the little man his former wood-chopper. “How are you? What are you doing? How is everything with you?”

  “All right. I am a notary now and am paid thirty-five roubles a month.”

 

  “Thank Heaven! That’s fine! I am delighted for your sake. I am very, very glad, Lushkoff. You see, you are my godson, in a sense. I gave you a push along the right path, you know. Do you remember what a roasting I gave you, eh? I nearly had you sinking into the ground at my feet that day. Thank you, old man, for not forgetting my words.”

  “Thank you, too.” said Lushkoff. “If I hadn’t come to you then I might still have been calling myself a teacher or a student to this day. Yes, by flying to your protection I dragged myself out of a pit.”

“I am very glad, indeed.”

  “Thank you for your kind words and deeds. I am very grateful to you and to your cook. God bless that good and noble woman! You spoke finely then, and I shall be indebted to you to my dying day; but, strictly speaking, it was your cook, Olga, who saved me.”

  “How is that?”

1. What did Lushkoff become after two years?

        a) A successful businessman

        b) A notary

        c) A schoolteacher

        d) A wood-chopper

2. How did Sergei react when he recognized Lushkoff at the ticket window?

        a) He ignored him and walked away.

        b) He asked him for money.

        c) He warmly greeted him and asked about his well-being.

        d) He scolded him for not keeping in touch.

3. Why did Lushkoff thank Sergei and his cook, Olga?

        a) For giving him money

        b) For offering him a job

        c) For saving him from sinking into the ground

        d) For inviting him to the theater

4. What role did Olga, the cook, play in Lushkoff's transformation?

        a) She taught him how to write.

        b) She provided him with a job in the woodshed.

        c) She scolded him for his idleness.

        d) She played a key role in rescuing him from a pit.

5. How much was Lushkoff paid as a notary?

        a) Twenty roubles a month

        b) Fifty roubles a month

        c) Fifteen roubles a month

        d) Thirty-five roubles a month

Reading Comprehension 9

"When I used to come to your house to chop wood she used to begin: ‘Oh, you sot, you! Oh, you miserable creature! There’s nothing for you but ruin.’ And then she would sit down opposite me and grow sad, look into my face and weep. ‘Oh, you unlucky man! There is no pleasure for you in this world and there will be none in the world to come. You drunkard! You will burn in hell. Oh, you unhappy one!’ And so she would carry on, you know, in that strain. I can’t tell you how much misery she suffered, how many tears she shed for my sake. But the chief thing was — she used to chop the wood for me. Do you know, sir, that I did not chop one single stick of wood for you? She did it all. Why this saved me, why I changed, why I stopped drinking at the sight of her I cannot explain. I only know that, owing to her words and noble deeds, a change took place in my heart; she set me right and I shall never forget it. However, it is time to go now; there goes the bell.” Lushkoff bowed and departed to the gallery.

1. Who does Lushkoff credit for his transformation and change of behavior?

        a) Sergei

        b) Himself

        c) Olga, the cook

        d) His notary job

2. What did Olga used to say to Lushkoff when he came to chop wood?

        a) She praised him for his hard work.

        b) She scolded him and called him a drunkard.

        c) She ignored him and went about her work silently.

        d) She gave him money for his efforts.

3. How did Olga's actions help in Lushkoff's transformation?

        a) She gave him money and incentives.

        b) She taught him a new skill.

        c) She wept for him and showed him empathy.

        d) She found him a new job as a notary.

4. What did Lushkoff say about the wood-chopping work at Sergei's house?

        a) He did not do any work at all.

        b) Olga did all the wood-chopping for him.

        c) He completed all the wood-chopping tasks diligently.

        d) He found the wood-chopping work too difficult.

5. Where did Lushkoff depart to at the end of the conversation?

        a) He left the theater.

        b) He went to the back of the theater.

        c) He departed to the gallery.

        d) He went to get some refreshments.