The Best Christmas Present in the World - Reading Comprehension

NCERT Board-Based Reading Comprehension Grade 8 

Honeydew Prose Chapter 1
The Best Christmas Present in the World

Reading Comprehension 1

I spotted it in a junk shop in Bridport, a roll-top desk. The man said it was early nineteenth century, and oak. I had wanted one, but they were far too expensive. This one was in a bad condition, the roll-top in several pieces, one leg clumsily mended, scorch marks all down one side. It was going for very little money. I thought I could restore it. It would be a risk, a challenge, but I had to have it. I paid the man and brought it back to my workroom at the back of the garage. I began work on it on Christmas Eve.

1. What kind of desk did the person spot in the junk shop?

a) Roll-top desk

b) Writing desk

c) Standing desk

d) Secretary desk

2. According to the man at the junk shop, what was the supposed age of the desk?

a) Late eighteenth century

b) Early nineteenth century

c) Mid-twentieth century

d) Late twentieth century

3. What material was the desk made of, as stated by the man?

a) Mahogany

b) Oak

c) Walnut

d) Pine

4. What condition was the desk in when the person found it?

a) Perfect condition

b) Slightly damaged

c) Severely damaged

d) Pristine condition

5. What was the state of the roll-top on the desk?

a) Fully intact

b) Partially damaged

c) Missing

d) Repaired

Reading Comprehension 2

 

I removed the roll-top completely and pulled out the drawers. The veneer had lifted almost everywhere — it looked like water damage to me. Both fire and water had clearly taken their toll on this desk. The last drawer was stuck fast. I tried all I could to ease it out gently. In the end I used brute force. I struck it sharply with the side of my fist and the drawer flew open to reveal a shallow space underneath, a secret drawer. There was something in there. I reached in and took out a small black tin box. Sello-taped to the top of it was a piece of lined notepaper,  and written on it in shaky handwriting: “Jim’s last letter, received January 25, 1915. To be buried with me when the time comes.” I knew as I did it that it was wrong of me to open the box, but curiosity got the better of my scruples. It usually does.

 

Inside the box there was an envelope. The address read: “Mrs Jim Macpherson, 12 Copper Beeches, Bridport, Dorset.” I took out the letter and unfolded it. It was written in pencil and dated at the top — “December 26, 1914”. 

1. What led the person to discover a secret drawer in the desk?

a) The veneer lifting off

b) Water damage to the veneer

c) Brute force used to open a stuck drawer

d) Removing the roll-top completely

2. What was found inside the secret drawer?

a) A small black tin box

b) A stack of old letters

c) A hidden compartment

d) A collection of antique coins

3. What was written on the piece of lined notepaper taped to the top of the tin box?

a) The name of the original owner

b) Instructions for opening the secret drawer

c) A date and a sentimental note

d) A warning about the contents of the box

4. Who was the intended recipient of the letter found inside the box?

a) Mr. Jim Macpherson

b) The person who found the desk

c) The previous owner of the desk

d) Mrs. Jim Macpherson

5. When was the letter dated?

a) December 25, 1914

b) December 26, 1914

c) January 25, 1915

d) January 26, 1915

Reading Comprehension 3

Dearest Connie,

I write to you in a much happier frame of mind because something wonderful has just happened that I must tell you about at once. We were all standing to in our trenches yesterday morning, Christmas morning. It was crisp and quiet all about, as beautiful a morning as I’ve ever seen, as cold and frosty as a Christmas morning should be.

 

I should like to be able to tell you that we began it. But the truth, I’m ashamed to say, is that Fritz began it. First someone saw a white flag waving from the trenches opposite. Then they were calling out to us from across no man’s land, “Happy Christmas, Tommy! Happy Christmas!” When we had got over the surprise, some of us shouted back, “Same to you, Fritz! Same to you!” I thought that would be that. We all did. But then suddenly one of them was up there in his grey greatcoat and waving a white flag. “Don’t shoot, lads!” someone shouted. And no one did. Then there was another Fritz up on the parapet, and another. “Keep your heads down,” I told the men, “it’s a trick.” But it wasn’t.

1. On which day did the event described in the letter take place?

a) New Year's Day

b) Christmas Day

c) Easter Sunday

d) Independence Day

2. What was the weather like on that Christmas morning?

a) Rainy and gloomy

b) Hot and humid

c) Crisp and frosty

d) Windy and stormy

3. Who initiated the unexpected event described in the letter?

a) Tommy

b) Connie

c) The author of the letter

d) Fritz

4. What did the soldiers across no man's land call out to the author and their comrades?

a) "Merry Christmas, Tommy!"

b) "Happy New Year, Fritz!"

c) "Stay safe, lads!"

d) "Stop the fighting!"

5. How did the author initially react to the sight of the white flag and the opposing soldiers?

a) They shouted back in anger.

b) They ordered their men to shoot.

c) They waved their own white flag.

d) They thought it was a trick.

Reading Comprehension 4

One of the Germans was waving a bottle above his head. “It is Christmas Day, Tommy. We have schnapps. We have sausage. We meet you? Yes?” By this time there were dozens of them walking towards us across no man’s land and not a rifle between them. Little Private Morris was the first up. “Come on, boys. What are we waiting for?” And then there was no stopping them. I was the officer. I should have stopped them there and then, I suppose, but the truth is that it never even occurred to me I should. All along their line and ours I could see men walking slowly towards one another, grey coats, khaki coats meeting in the middle. And I was one of them. I was part of this. In the middle of the war we were making peace.

 

You cannot imagine, dearest Connie, my feelings as I looked into the eyes of the Fritz officer, who approached me, hand outstretched. “Hans Wolf,” he said, gripping my hand warmly and holding it. “I am from Dusseldorf. I play the cello in the orchestra. Happy Christmas.”

1. What items did the German soldier mention they had for Christmas?

a) Schnapps and sausage

b) Champagne and cake

c) Wine and cheese

d) Whiskey and bread

2. Who was the first soldier from the author's side to approach the Germans?

a) Little Private Morris

b) Officer Hans Wolf

c) Dearest Connie

d) The author himself

3. What was the author's rank?

a) Private

b) Sergeant

c) Officer

d) Captain

4. What was the author's initial reaction to the soldiers approaching each other?

a) He stopped them immediately.

b) He waved his own white flag.

c) He ordered his men to retreat.

d) He didn't stop them and joined them instead.

5. What instrument did Hans Wolf mention playing in the orchestra?

a) Violin

b) Piano

c) Cello

d) Trumpet

Reading Comprehension 5

“Captain Jim Macpherson,” I replied. “And a Happy Christmas to you too. I’m a school teacher from Dorset, in the west of England.”

“Ah, Dorset,” he smiled. “I know this place. I know it very well.” We shared my rum ration and his excellent sausage. And we talked, Connie, how we talked. He spoke almost perfect English. But it turned out that he had never set foot in Dorset, never even been to England. He had learned all he knew of England from school, and from reading books in English. His favourite writer was Thomas Hardy, his favourite book Far from the Madding Crowd. So out there in no man’s land we talked of Bathsheba and Gabriel Oak and Sergeant Troy and Dorset. He had a wife and one son, born just six months ago. As I looked about me there were huddles of khaki and grey everywhere, all over no man’s land, smoking, laughing, talking, drinking, eating. Hans Wolf and I shared what was left of your wonderful Christmas cake, Connie. He thought the marzipan was the best he had ever tasted. I agreed. We agreed about everything, and he was my enemy. There never was a Christmas party like it, Connie.

Then someone, I don’t know who, brought out a football. Greatcoats were dumped in piles to make goalposts, and the next thing we knew it was Tommy against Fritz out in the middle of no man’s land. Hans Wolf and I looked on and cheered, clapping our hands and stamping our feet, to keep out the cold as much as anything. There was a moment when I noticed our breaths mingling in the air between us. He saw it too and smiled. “Jim Macpherson,” he said after a while, “I think this is how we should resolve this war. A football match. No one dies in a football match. No children are orphaned. No wives become widows.”

1. What was Captain Jim Macpherson's profession?

a) School teacher

b) Soldier

c) Writer

d) Orchestra conductor

2. What was Hans Wolf's favorite book by Thomas Hardy?

a) Tess of the d'Urbervilles

b) The Mayor of Casterbridge

c) Jude the Obscure

d) Far from the Madding Crowd

3. How did Hans Wolf learn about England and Dorset?

a) From his travels to England

b) Through conversations with English soldiers

c) By reading books in English

d) From his English wife

4. What did Captain Jim Macpherson and Hans Wolf share together?

a) Rum ration and sausage

b) Christmas cake and tea

c) Wine and cheese

d) Cigars and whiskey

5. What activity did the soldiers engage in out in no man's land?

a) Singing Christmas carols

b) Exchanging gifts

c) Playing football/soccer

d) Building snowmen

Reading Comprehension 6

“I’d prefer cricket,” I told him. “Then we Tommies could be sure of winning, probably.” We laughed at that, and together we watched the game. Sad to say, Connie, Fritz won, two goals to one. But as Hans Wolf generously said, our goal was wider than theirs, so it wasn’t quite fair.

The time came, and all too soon, when the game was finished, the schnapps and the rum and the sausage  had long since run out, and we knew it was all over. I wished Hans well and told him I hoped he would see his family again soon, that the fighting would end and  we could all go home.

 “I think that is what every soldier wants, on both sides,” Hans Wolf said. “Take care, Jim Macpherson. I shall never forget this moment, nor you.” He saluted and walked away from me slowly, unwillingly, I felt. He turned to wave just once and then became one of the hundreds of grey-coated men drifting back towards their trenches.

1. What sport did Captain Jim Macpherson suggest playing instead of football?

a) Cricket

b) Rugby

c) Tennis

d) Golf

2. What was the final score of the football match played between Tommy and Fritz?

a) Tommy: 2, Fritz: 1

b) Tommy: 1, Fritz: 2

c) Tommy: 0, Fritz: 2

d) Tommy: 2, Fritz: 0

3. How did Hans Wolf express his desire for the fighting to end?

a) He shook hands with Captain Jim Macpherson.

b) He saluted and walked away slowly.

c) He asked for a ceasefire.

d) He promised to keep in touch.

4. Say True or False

The soldiers played a football match in no man's land.

5. Say True or False

Captain Jim Macpherson and Hans Wolf both agreed that a football match could resolve the war.

Reading Comprehension 7

That night, back in our dugouts, we heard them singing a carol, and singing it quite beautifully. It was Stille Nacht, Silent Night. Our boys gave them a rousing chorus of While Shepherds Watched. We exchanged carols for a while and then we all fell silent. We had had our time of peace and goodwill, a time I will treasure as long as I live.

Dearest Connie, by Christmas time next year, this war will be nothing but a distant and terrible memory. I know from all that happened today how much both armies long for peace. We shall be together again soon, I’m sure of it.

1. What carol did the German soldiers sing that night?

a) Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

b) O Holy Night

c) Silent Night (Stille Nacht)

d) Joy to the World

2. How did the soldiers exchange carols?

a) By singing one after another

b) By writing and sharing song lyrics

c) By playing musical instruments

d) By recording and sharing audio tapes

3. What carol did the author's side sing in response to the German soldiers?

a) Stille Nacht (Silent Night)

b) O Come, All Ye Faithful

c) While Shepherds Watched

d) Jingle Bells

4. How did the author feel about the time of peace and goodwill they experienced?

a) It was forgettable and meaningless

b) It was disappointing and short-lived

c) It was cherished and treasured

d) It was unremarkable and mundane

5. When does the author predict that the war will become a distant memory?

a) By next Christmas

b) In a few months

c) Within a week

d) It is uncertain

Reading Comprehension 8

I folded the letter again and slipped it carefully back into its envelope. I kept awake all night. By morning I knew what I had to do. I drove into Bridport, just a few miles away. I asked a boy walking his dog where Copper Beeches was. House number 12 turned out to be nothing but a burned-out shell, the roof gaping, the windows boarded-up. I knocked at the house next door and asked if anyone knew the whereabouts of a Mrs Macpherson. Oh yes, said the old man in his slippers, he knew her well. A lovely old lady, he told me, a bit muddle-headed, but at her age she was entitled to be, wasn’t she? A hundred and one years old. She had been in the house when it caught fire. No one really knew how the fire has started, but it could well have been candles. She used candles rather than electricity, because she always thought electricity was too expensive. The fireman had got her out just in time. She was in a nursing home now, he told me, Burlington House, on the Dorchester road, on the other side of town.

1. Where did the author go after reading the letter?

a) Back to the junk shop in Bridport

b) Copper Beeches, house number 12

c) Burlington House, the nursing home

d) The local fire station

2. What was the condition of house number 12, Copper Beeches?

a) It was well-maintained and intact

b) It was completely burned out

c) It had a damaged roof but intact windows

d) It was under renovation

3. What was the probable cause of the fire at Copper Beeches?

a) Faulty electrical wiring

b) Cigarette smoking

c) Kitchen gas explosion

d) Candles used instead of electricity

4. How old was Mrs. Macpherson, the occupant of house number 12?

a) Seventy-five years old

b) Eighty-nine years old

c) A hundred and one years old

d) Fifty-five years old

5. Where was the nursing home located?

a) In Bridport, next to Copper Beeches

b) In Dorchester, on the other side of town

c) On the outskirts of Bridport

d) In the same neighborhood as house number 12

Reading Comprehension 9

I found Burlington House Nursing Home easily enough. There were paper chains up in the hallway and a lighted Christmas tree stood in the corner with a lopsided angel on top. I said I was a friend come to visit Mrs Macpherson to bring her a Christmas present. I could see through into the dining room where everyone was wearing a paper hat and singing. The matron had a hat on too and seemed happy enough to see me. She even offered me a mince pie. She walked me along the corridor. “Mrs Macpherson is not in with the others,” she told me. “She’s rather confused today so we thought it best if she had a good rest. She has no family you know, no one visits. So I’m sure she’ll be only too pleased to see you.” She took me into a conservatory with wicker chairs and potted plants all around and left me.

The old lady was sitting in a wheelchair, her hands folded in her lap. She had silver white hair pinned into a wispy bun. She was gazing out at the garden. “Hello,” I said. She turned and looked up at me vacantly. “Happy Christmas, Connie,” I went on. “I found this. I think it’s yours.” As I was speaking her eyes never left my face. I opened the tin box and gave it to her. That was the moment her eyes lit up with recognition and her face became suffused with a sudden glow of happiness. I explained about the desk, about how I had found it, but I don't think she was listening. For a while she said nothing, but stroked the letter tenderly with her fingertips.

1. Where did the author go after finding out Mrs. Macpherson's whereabouts?

a) The dining room of Burlington House

b) The garden of Burlington House

c) The conservatory of Burlington House

d) The hallway of Burlington House

2. What decorations were present in the hallway of Burlington House?

a) Christmas lights

b) Paper chains

c) Wreaths

d) Stockings

3. Why was Mrs. Macpherson not with the others in the dining room?

a) She had family visiting her in another room.

b) She was resting due to confusion.

c) She didn't want to join the festivities.

d) She was attending a separate event in the nursing home.

4. What did the author bring as a Christmas present for Mrs. Macpherson?

a) A new wheelchair

b) A mince pie

c) The tin box with the letter

d) A paper hat

5. How did Mrs. Macpherson react when the author gave her the tin box with the letter?

a) She listened attentively to the author's explanation.

b) She remained vacant and unresponsive.

c) Her face lit up with recognition and happiness.

d) She thanked the author and offered him a mince pie.

Reading Comprehension 10

Suddenly she reached out and took my hand. Her eyes were filled with tears. “You told me you’d come home by Christmas, dearest,” she said. “And here you are, the best Christmas present in the world. Come closer, Jim dear, sit down.”

I sat down beside her, and she kissed my cheek. “I read your letter so often Jim, every day. I wanted to hear your voice in my head. It always made me feel you were with me. And now you are. Now you’re back you can read it to me yourself. Would you do that for me, Jim dear? I just want to hear your voice again. I’d love that so much. And then perhaps we’ll have some tea. I’ve made you a nice Christmas cake, marzipan all around. I know how much you love marzipan.”

1. What did Mrs. Macpherson refer to as the best Christmas present in the world?

a) The tin box with the letter

b) The author's visit

c) A new Christmas cake

d) A warm cup of tea

2. Why did Mrs. Macpherson read the author's letter every day?

a) To keep his voice in her head

b) To remember the contents of the letter

c) To analyze the handwriting

d) To improve her reading skills

3. What did Mrs. Macpherson want the author to do for her?

a) Bake a Christmas cake

b) Read the letter to her

c) Write another letter

d) Sing a Christmas carol

4. What did Mrs. Macpherson include in the Christmas cake for the author?

a) Cherries and chocolate

b) Marzipan all around

c) Almonds and raisins

d) Whipped cream and strawberries

5. How did Mrs. Macpherson express her joy upon the author's return?

a) She hugged him tightly

b) She wanted to kiss his cheek

c) She gave him a warm cup of tea

d) She presented him with a new sweater