Three Questions - Reading Comprehension

 AP/ NCERT Board-Based Reading Comprehension Passages Grade 7 Honeycomb
Chapter 1 Three Questions

Reading Comprehension 1

The thought came to a certain king that he would never fail if he knew three things. These three things were: What is the right time to begin something? Which people should he listen to? What is the most important thing for him to do?

The king, therefore, sent messengers throughout his kingdom, promising a large sum of money to anyone who would answer these three questions.

Many wise men came to the king, but they all answered his questions differently. In reply to the first question, some said the king must prepare a timetable, and then follow it strictly. Only in this way, they said, could he do everything at its proper time. Others said that it was impossible to decide in advance the right time for doing something. The king should notice all that was going on, avoid foolish pleasures, and always do whatever seemed necessary at that time. Yet others said that the king needed a council of wise men who would help him act at the proper time. This was because one man would find it impossible to decide correctly, without help from others, the right time for every action.

1. What did the king think if he knew answers to his questions?

    a. He would rule the world.

    b. He would never fail. 

    c. He would earn more money.

    d. He would earn knowledge.

2. What was the king's question?

    a. What is the right time to begin something? 

    b. Which people should he listen to? 

    c. What is the most important thing for him to do?

    d. All the above 

3. What did the king do to know the answers?

    a. He thought and thought and thought about the ananswers.

    b. He asked his queen.

    c. He sent messengers throughout his kingdom to know who would answer his questions.

    d. He ignored the questions.

4. What would the king do if someone answered his questions?

    a. He would punish them.

    b. He would make them the minister.

    c. He would praise them.

    d. He would reward them with money.

5. What was the advice offered to the King by the wise men?

    a. The king should follow a timetable.

    b. The king should notice all that was going on, avoid foolish pleasures.

    c. The king should have a council of wise men.

    d. All the above.

, 

Reading Comprehension 2

But then others said that there were some things which could be urgent. These things could not wait for the decision of the council. In order to decide the right time for doing something, it is necessary to look into the future. And only magicians could do that. The king, therefore, would have to go to magicians.

In their answers to the second question, some said that the people most necessary to the king were his councillors; others said, the priests. A few others chose the doctors. And yet others said that his soldiers were the most necessary.

To the third question, some said science. Others chose fighting, and yet others religious worship.

1. According to some wise men, who could determine the right time for urgent matters that cannot wait for the council's decision?

   a) The king's councillors

   b) The priests

   c) The doctors

   d) Magicians

2. According to some wise men, who were considered the most necessary people to the king?

   a) His councillors

   b) The priests

   c) The doctors

   d) His soldiers

3. Who among the following was not mentioned by the people who came to answer the three questions?

  a) His councillors

   b) The priests

   c) The doctors

   d) The teachers

4. What did some wise men suggest as the most important thing for the king to focus on?

   a) Science

   b) Fighting

   c) Religious worship

   d) All the above

5. Which among the following was not suggested?

    a) Science

    b) Negotiating

   c) Religious worship

   d) Caring for his people's well-being

Reading Comprehension 3

As the answers to his questions were so different, the king was not satisfied and gave no reward. Instead, he decided to seek the advice of a certain hermit, who was widely known for his wisdom.

The hermit lived in a wood which he never left. He saw no one but simple people, and so the king put on ordinary clothes. Before he reached the hermit’s hut, the king left his horse with his bodyguard and went on alone.

As the king came near the hermit’s hut, he saw the hermit digging the ground in front of his hut. He greeted the king and continued digging. The hermit was old and weak, and as he worked, he breathed heavily.

1. Why was the king dissatisfied and did not give a reward?

a) The king was not pleased with the hermit's appearance.

b) The king didn't receive the answers he expected.

c) The hermit refused to speak with the king.

d) The hermit was not knowledgeable enough.

2. How did the king disguise himself before meeting the hermit?

a) He dressed as a commoner.

b) He wore extravagant royal robes.

c) He wore his finest jewelry.

d) He carried a sword and shield.

3. Where did the hermit live?

a) In a castle.

b) In a palace.

c) In a cave.

d) In a wood.

4. What was the hermit doing when the king approached his hut?

a) Sleeping inside his hut.

b) Talking to other people.

c) Digging the ground in front of his hut.

d) Cooking a meal.

5. How did the hermit appear physically while he worked?

a) Young and energetic.

b) Strong and muscular.

c) Old and weak.

d) Tall and imposing.

Reading Comprehension 4

The king went up to the hermit and said, “I have come to you, wise hermit, to ask you to answer three questions: How can I learn to do the right thing at the right time? Who are the people I need most? And what affairs are the most important?”

The hermit listened to the king but did not speak. He went on digging. “You are tired,” said the king. “Let me take the spade and work in your place.”

“Thanks,” said the hermit, giving the king his spade. Then he sat down on the ground.

When the king had dug two beds, he stopped and repeated his questions. The hermit gave no answer, but stood up, stretching out his hand for the spade, and said, “Now you rest, and let me work.”

But the king did not give him the spade and continued to dig.

1. What was one of the three questions the king asked the hermit?

a) How can I become wealthy and powerful?

b) How can I learn to do the right thing at the right time?

c) How can I conquer neighboring kingdoms?

d) How can I become famous and renowned?

2. How did the hermit respond when the king offered to work in his place?

a) He gladly accepted the king's help.

b) He took the spade back and continued working.

c) He insisted that the king should rest.

d) He scolded the king for offering to help.

3. What did the king do after digging two beds?

a) He gave the spade back to the hermit.

b) He took a break and sat down.

c) He asked more questions to the hermit.

d) He continued digging and didn't stop.

4. How did the hermit react when the king didn't give him the spade?

a) He became angry and walked away.

b) He scolded the king for not listening.

c) He patiently waited for the king to finish.

d) He took the spade back forcefully.

5. What was the hermit's initial response when the king asked his three questions?

a) He immediately answered all three questions.

b) He ignored the king and continued working.

c) He sat down and pondered the questions.

d) He remained silent and kept digging.

Reading Comprehension 5

One hour passed, then another. The sun went down behind the trees, and at last, the king stuck the spade into the ground and said, “I came to you, wise man, for an answer to my questions. If you can give me no answer, tell me so, and I will return home.”

“Here comes someone running,” said the hermit.

The king turned around and saw a bearded man running towards them. His hands were pressed against his stomach, from which blood was flowing. When he reached the king, he fainted and fell to the ground. The king and the hermit removed the man’s clothing and found a large wound in his stomach. The king washed and covered it with his handkerchief, but the blood would not stop flowing. The king re-dressed the wound until at last, the bleeding stopped.

1. How long did the king continue digging before he stopped and considered leaving?

a) One hour

b) Two hours

c) Three hours

d) Four hours

2. What did the king tell the hermit he would do if he couldn't get answers to his questions?

a) He would get angry and leave.

b) He would return home disappointed.

c) He would demand an explanation from the hermit.

d) He would stay and keep working.

3. Who came running towards the king and the hermit?

a) A wounded soldier

b) A young child

c) A messenger from the palace

d) A fellow hermit

4. Where was the man wounded?

a) In his head

b) In his arm

c) In his stomach

d) In his leg

5. How did the king and the hermit help the wounded man?

a) They gave him food and water.

b) They covered him with blankets.

c) They took him to a nearby hospital.

d) They dressed and cared for his wound.

Reading Comprehension 6

The man felt better and asked for something to drink. The king brought fresh water and gave it to him. By this time, the sun had set, and the air was cool. The king with the hermit’s help carried the wounded man into the hut and laid him on the bed. The man closed his eyes and lay quiet. The king, tired by his walk and the work he had done, lay down on the floor and slept through the night. When he awoke, it was several minutes before he could remember where he was or who the strange bearded man lying on the bed was.

“Forgive me!” said the bearded man in a weak voice when he saw that the king was awake.

“I do not know you and have nothing to forgive you for,” said the king.

“You do not know me, but I know you. I am that enemy of yours who swore revenge on you, because you put my brother to death and seized my property. I knew you had gone alone to see that hermit, and I made up my mind to kill you on your way home. But the day passed and you did not return. So I left my hiding-place, and I came upon your bodyguard, who recognised me and wounded me. I escaped from him but I should have died if you had not dressed my wounds. I wished to kill you, and you have saved my life. Now, if I live, I will serve you as your most faithful servant and will order my sons to do the same. Forgive me!” 

1. What did the wounded man ask for when he felt better?

a) Food to eat

b) Water to drink

c) A bed to rest on

d) Bandages for his wounds

2. Where did the king and the hermit carry the wounded man after giving him water?

a) To the nearby river

b) To the palace

c) Into the hut

d) To a doctor's house

3. Why did the king sleep through the night in the hut?

a) He was too tired from walking.

b) He wanted to keep the wounded man company.

c) The hermit insisted he stay.

d) He couldn't find his way back home.

4. What revelation did the wounded man make to the king when he woke up?

a) He confessed to being a thief.

b) He asked for forgiveness for a past mistake.

c) He expressed his gratitude for the king's help.

d) He revealed his identity as the king's enemy seeking revenge.

5. How did the wounded man's feelings towards the king change after the king's act of kindness?

a) He became even more determined to seek revenge.

b) He decided to forget about his revenge plans.

c) He felt grateful and vowed to serve the king faithfully.

d) He became indifferent and wanted to leave immediately.

Reading Comprehension 7

The king was very happy to have made peace with his enemy so easily and to have won him over as a friend. He not only forgave him but said he would send his servants and his own doctor to look after him, and he promised to give back the man his property.

Leaving the wounded man, the king went out of the hut and looked around for the hermit. Before going away, he wished once more to get answers to his questions. The hermit was on his knees sowing seeds in the beds that had been dug the day before. The king went up to the hermit and said, “For the last time I beg you to answer my questions, wise man.”

“You have already been answered!” said the hermit still bending down to the ground and looking up at the king as he stood before him.

1. What did the king promise to do for his former enemy after helping him?

a) Send him to jail

b) Give back his property

c) Banish him from the kingdom

d) Ask him to serve as a soldier

2. What did the king promise to send to look after the wounded man?

a) His servants and his own doctor

b) Soldiers for protection

c) A new house for the man to live in

d) Food and water supplies

3. What was the hermit doing when the king went to find him for the last time?

a) Sleeping in his hut

b) Cooking a meal

c) Sowing seeds in the beds

d) Meditating in the woods

4. How did the hermit respond when the king asked him once more to answer his questions?

a) He refused to speak with the king.

b) He stood up and walked away.

c) He smiled and offered his answers.

d) He said that the king had already been answered.

5. What was the hermit doing while speaking to the king?

a) Kneeling and sowing seeds

b) Meditating with closed eyes

c) Preparing a meal

d) Writing on a piece of paper

Reading Comprehension 8

“How have I been answered? What do you mean?”

“Do you not see?” replied the hermit. “If you had not pitied my weakness yesterday and had not dug these beds for me, you would have gone away. Then that man would have attacked you, and you would have wished you had stayed with me. So the most important time was when you were digging the beds. And I was the most important man, and to do me good was your most important business. Afterwards, when the man ran to us, the most important time was when you were caring for him, because if you had not dressed his wounds, he would have died without having made peace with you. So he was the most important man, and what you did for him was your most important business.

1. According to the hermit, when was the most important time for the king during his visit?

a) When he first arrived at the hermit's hut.

b) When he was resting after digging the beds.

c) When he was asking questions about life.

d) When he was digging the beds for the hermit.

2. Who did the hermit consider as the most important man during the king's visit?

a) The wounded man who sought revenge.

b) The king himself.

c) The hermit.

d) The king's bodyguard.

3. Why did the hermit say the king's most important business was to do him good?

a) The hermit was sick and needed help.

b) The king owed a favor to the hermit.

c) The king's act of kindness saved his life.

d) The hermit was a wise man and deserved respect.

4. What was the most important time for the king when the wounded man ran to them?

a) When the king was resting after caring for the wounded man.

b) When the wounded man attacked the king.

c) When the king was talking to the hermit about his questions.

d) When the king was caring for the wounded man's injuries.

5. What did the hermit suggest was the king's most important business during the encounter with the wounded man?

a) Protecting himself from harm.

b) Seeking revenge on the wounded man.

c) Making peace and caring for the wounded man.

d) Discussing matters of the kingdom.

 Reading Comprehension 9

“Remember then, there is only one time that is important and that time is ‘Now’. It is the most important time because it is the only time we have any power to act.

“The most necessary person is the person you are with at a particular moment, for no one knows what will happen in the future and whether we will meet anyone else. The most important business is to do that person good because we were sent into this world for that purpose alone.”

1. According to the hermit, why is "Now" the most important time?

a) Because it is the time to plan for the future.

b) Because it is the only time we have any power to act.

c) Because it is the time to reflect on the past.

d) Because it is the time to rest and relax.

2. Who is considered the most necessary person, according to the hermit?

a) The person you will meet in the future.

b) The person you knew in the past.

c) The person you are currently with at a particular moment.

d) The person you have known the longest.

3. What does the hermit believe is the most important business for humans in this world?

a) Accumulating wealth and material possessions.

b) Seeking fame and recognition.

c) Pursuing personal happiness and pleasure.

d) Doing good for the person you are with at a particular moment.

4. Why does the hermit emphasize doing good for the person you are with at a particular moment?

a) Because that person may become important in the future.

b) Because it brings immediate rewards and benefits.

c) Because it fulfills our purpose in this world.

d) Because it guarantees a favorable future outcome.

5. According to the hermit, what should be our focus in terms of time and relationships?

a) Planning for the future and choosing the right people to associate with.

b) Dwelling on past mistakes and trying to correct them.

c) Embracing the present moment and doing good for the people around us.

d) Trying to predict and control future events.