English Reading Comprehension

Which room came first?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

The woman who had beckoned to him lived on the third floor. All the way upstairs, his excitement increased, and his heart was beating violently when he reached the landing.
As he was going up, he smelled a peculiar odor, which grew stronger and stronger, and though he tried to analyze it, all he could decide was that it smelled like a chemist’s shop.
 The door on the right, at the end of the passage, was opened as soon as he put his foot on the landing, and the woman said, in a low voice:
“Come in, my dear.”
A very strong smell met his nostrils through the open door, and he exclaimed:
“ How stupid I was! I know what it is now: carbon acid is it not?”
“Yes,” the woman replied.” Don’t you like it, my dear? It is very wholesome, you know.”
The woman was not ugly, although not young; she had very good eyes, although these were sad and sunken in her head. Evidently, she had been crying very much quite recently, and that imparted a special spice to the vague smile she put on, so as to appear more amiable
Seized by his romantic ideas, and under the influence of the presentiment, which he had just before, he thought – and the idea filled him with pleasure –
“She is some widow, whom poverty has forced to sell herself.”
The room was small, but very clean and tidy, which confirmed him in his conjecture, and as he was curious to verify it, he went into the three rooms, which opened into another. The bedroom came first; next came the drawing room, and then a dining room, which evidently served as a kitchen, for a Dutch tiled stove, stood in the middle of it, on which a stew was simmering. The smell of carbolic acid was even stronger in the room. He remarked it, and added with a laugh:
“Do you put it in your soup?”
And as he said this, he grasped the handle of the floor, which led into the next room, for he wanted to see everything, even that nook, which was apparently a store cupboard. But the woman seized him by the arm, and pulled him violently back.

What is the meaning of beckoned?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

The woman who had beckoned to him lived on the third floor. All the way upstairs, his excitement increased, and his heart was beating violently when he reached the landing.
As he was going up, he smelled a peculiar odor, which grew stronger and stronger, and though he tried to analyze it, all he could decide was that it smelled like a chemist’s shop.
 The door on the right, at the end of the passage, was opened as soon as he put his foot on the landing, and the woman said, in a low voice:
“Come in, my dear.”
A very strong smell met his nostrils through the open door, and he exclaimed:
“ How stupid I was! I know what it is now: carbon acid is it not?”
“Yes,” the woman replied.” Don’t you like it, my dear? It is very wholesome, you know.”
The woman was not ugly, although not young; she had very good eyes, although these were sad and sunken in her head. Evidently, she had been crying very much quite recently, and that imparted a special spice to the vague smile she put on, so as to appear more amiable
Seized by his romantic ideas, and under the influence of the presentiment, which he had just before, he thought – and the idea filled him with pleasure –
“She is some widow, whom poverty has forced to sell herself.”
The room was small, but very clean and tidy, which confirmed him in his conjecture, and as he was curious to verify it, he went into the three rooms, which opened into another. The bedroom came first; next came the drawing room, and then a dining room, which evidently served as a kitchen, for a Dutch tiled stove, stood in the middle of it, on which a stew was simmering. The smell of carbolic acid was even stronger in the room. He remarked it, and added with a laugh:
“Do you put it in your soup?”
And as he said this, he grasped the handle of the floor, which led into the next room, for he wanted to see everything, even that nook, which was apparently a store cupboard. But the woman seized him by the arm, and pulled him violently back.

What is the meaning of vague?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

The woman who had beckoned to him lived on the third floor. All the way upstairs, his excitement increased, and his heart was beating violently when he reached the landing.
As he was going up, he smelled a peculiar odor, which grew stronger and stronger, and though he tried to analyze it, all he could decide was that it smelled like a chemist’s shop.
 The door on the right, at the end of the passage, was opened as soon as he put his foot on the landing, and the woman said, in a low voice:
“Come in, my dear.”
A very strong smell met his nostrils through the open door, and he exclaimed:
“ How stupid I was! I know what it is now: carbon acid is it not?”
“Yes,” the woman replied.” Don’t you like it, my dear? It is very wholesome, you know.”
The woman was not ugly, although not young; she had very good eyes, although these were sad and sunken in her head. Evidently, she had been crying very much quite recently, and that imparted a special spice to the vague smile she put on, so as to appear more amiable
Seized by his romantic ideas, and under the influence of the presentiment, which he had just before, he thought – and the idea filled him with pleasure –
“She is some widow, whom poverty has forced to sell herself.”
The room was small, but very clean and tidy, which confirmed him in his conjecture, and as he was curious to verify it, he went into the three rooms, which opened into another. The bedroom came first; next came the drawing room, and then a dining room, which evidently served as a kitchen, for a Dutch tiled stove, stood in the middle of it, on which a stew was simmering. The smell of carbolic acid was even stronger in the room. He remarked it, and added with a laugh:
“Do you put it in your soup?”
And as he said this, he grasped the handle of the floor, which led into the next room, for he wanted to see everything, even that nook, which was apparently a store cupboard. But the woman seized him by the arm, and pulled him violently back.

What was the chemical being used?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

The woman who had beckoned to him lived on the third floor. All the way upstairs, his excitement increased, and his heart was beating violently when he reached the landing.
As he was going up, he smelled a peculiar odor, which grew stronger and stronger, and though he tried to analyze it, all he could decide was that it smelled like a chemist’s shop.
 The door on the right, at the end of the passage, was opened as soon as he put his foot on the landing, and the woman said, in a low voice:
“Come in, my dear.”
A very strong smell met his nostrils through the open door, and he exclaimed:
“ How stupid I was! I know what it is now: carbon acid is it not?”
“Yes,” the woman replied.” Don’t you like it, my dear? It is very wholesome, you know.”
The woman was not ugly, although not young; she had very good eyes, although these were sad and sunken in her head. Evidently, she had been crying very much quite recently, and that imparted a special spice to the vague smile she put on, so as to appear more amiable
Seized by his romantic ideas, and under the influence of the presentiment, which he had just before, he thought – and the idea filled him with pleasure –
“She is some widow, whom poverty has forced to sell herself.”
The room was small, but very clean and tidy, which confirmed him in his conjecture, and as he was curious to verify it, he went into the three rooms, which opened into another. The bedroom came first; next came the drawing room, and then a dining room, which evidently served as a kitchen, for a Dutch tiled stove, stood in the middle of it, on which a stew was simmering. The smell of carbolic acid was even stronger in the room. He remarked it, and added with a laugh:
“Do you put it in your soup?”
And as he said this, he grasped the handle of the floor, which led into the next room, for he wanted to see everything, even that nook, which was apparently a store cupboard. But the woman seized him by the arm, and pulled him violently back.

How was he feeling?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

The woman who had beckoned to him lived on the third floor. All the way upstairs, his excitement increased, and his heart was beating violently when he reached the landing.
As he was going up, he smelled a peculiar odor, which grew stronger and stronger, and though he tried to analyze it, all he could decide was that it smelled like a chemist’s shop.
 The door on the right, at the end of the passage, was opened as soon as he put his foot on the landing, and the woman said, in a low voice:
“Come in, my dear.”
A very strong smell met his nostrils through the open door, and he exclaimed:
“ How stupid I was! I know what it is now: carbon acid is it not?”
“Yes,” the woman replied.” Don’t you like it, my dear? It is very wholesome, you know.”
The woman was not ugly, although not young; she had very good eyes, although these were sad and sunken in her head. Evidently, she had been crying very much quite recently, and that imparted a special spice to the vague smile she put on, so as to appear more amiable
Seized by his romantic ideas, and under the influence of the presentiment, which he had just before, he thought – and the idea filled him with pleasure –
“She is some widow, whom poverty has forced to sell herself.”
The room was small, but very clean and tidy, which confirmed him in his conjecture, and as he was curious to verify it, he went into the three rooms, which opened into another. The bedroom came first; next came the drawing room, and then a dining room, which evidently served as a kitchen, for a Dutch tiled stove, stood in the middle of it, on which a stew was simmering. The smell of carbolic acid was even stronger in the room. He remarked it, and added with a laugh:
“Do you put it in your soup?”
And as he said this, he grasped the handle of the floor, which led into the next room, for he wanted to see everything, even that nook, which was apparently a store cupboard. But the woman seized him by the arm, and pulled him violently back.

Dierctions:What is the meaning of sunken?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

The woman who had beckoned to him lived on the third floor. All the way upstairs, his excitement increased, and his heart was beating violently when he reached the landing.
As he was going up, he smelled a peculiar odor, which grew stronger and stronger, and though he tried to analyze it, all he could decide was that it smelled like a chemist’s shop.
 The door on the right, at the end of the passage, was opened as soon as he put his foot on the landing, and the woman said, in a low voice:
“Come in, my dear.”
A very strong smell met his nostrils through the open door, and he exclaimed:
“ How stupid I was! I know what it is now: carbon acid is it not?”
“Yes,” the woman replied.” Don’t you like it, my dear? It is very wholesome, you know.”
The woman was not ugly, although not young; she had very good eyes, although these were sad and sunken in her head. Evidently, she had been crying very much quite recently, and that imparted a special spice to the vague smile she put on, so as to appear more amiable
Seized by his romantic ideas, and under the influence of the presentiment, which he had just before, he thought – and the idea filled him with pleasure –
“She is some widow, whom poverty has forced to sell herself.”
The room was small, but very clean and tidy, which confirmed him in his conjecture, and as he was curious to verify it, he went into the three rooms, which opened into another. The bedroom came first; next came the drawing room, and then a dining room, which evidently served as a kitchen, for a Dutch tiled stove, stood in the middle of it, on which a stew was simmering. The smell of carbolic acid was even stronger in the room. He remarked it, and added with a laugh:
“Do you put it in your soup?”
And as he said this, he grasped the handle of the floor, which led into the next room, for he wanted to see everything, even that nook, which was apparently a store cupboard. But the woman seized him by the arm, and pulled him violently back.

What make was the stove?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

The woman who had beckoned to him lived on the third floor. All the way upstairs, his excitement increased, and his heart was beating violently when he reached the landing.
As he was going up, he smelled a peculiar odor, which grew stronger and stronger, and though he tried to analyze it, all he could decide was that it smelled like a chemist’s shop.
 The door on the right, at the end of the passage, was opened as soon as he put his foot on the landing, and the woman said, in a low voice:
“Come in, my dear.”
A very strong smell met his nostrils through the open door, and he exclaimed:
“ How stupid I was! I know what it is now: carbon acid is it not?”
“Yes,” the woman replied.” Don’t you like it, my dear? It is very wholesome, you know.”
The woman was not ugly, although not young; she had very good eyes, although these were sad and sunken in her head. Evidently, she had been crying very much quite recently, and that imparted a special spice to the vague smile she put on, so as to appear more amiable
Seized by his romantic ideas, and under the influence of the presentiment, which he had just before, he thought – and the idea filled him with pleasure –
“She is some widow, whom poverty has forced to sell herself.”
The room was small, but very clean and tidy, which confirmed him in his conjecture, and as he was curious to verify it, he went into the three rooms, which opened into another. The bedroom came first; next came the drawing room, and then a dining room, which evidently served as a kitchen, for a Dutch tiled stove, stood in the middle of it, on which a stew was simmering. The smell of carbolic acid was even stronger in the room. He remarked it, and added with a laugh:
“Do you put it in your soup?”
And as he said this, he grasped the handle of the floor, which led into the next room, for he wanted to see everything, even that nook, which was apparently a store cupboard. But the woman seized him by the arm, and pulled him violently back.

How was the odor?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

The woman who had beckoned to him lived on the third floor. All the way upstairs, his excitement increased, and his heart was beating violently when he reached the landing.
As he was going up, he smelled a peculiar odor, which grew stronger and stronger, and though he tried to analyze it, all he could decide was that it smelled like a chemist’s shop.
 The door on the right, at the end of the passage, was opened as soon as he put his foot on the landing, and the woman said, in a low voice:
“Come in, my dear.”
A very strong smell met his nostrils through the open door, and he exclaimed:
“ How stupid I was! I know what it is now: carbon acid is it not?”
“Yes,” the woman replied.” Don’t you like it, my dear? It is very wholesome, you know.”
The woman was not ugly, although not young; she had very good eyes, although these were sad and sunken in her head. Evidently, she had been crying very much quite recently, and that imparted a special spice to the vague smile she put on, so as to appear more amiable
Seized by his romantic ideas, and under the influence of the presentiment, which he had just before, he thought – and the idea filled him with pleasure –
“She is some widow, whom poverty has forced to sell herself.”
The room was small, but very clean and tidy, which confirmed him in his conjecture, and as he was curious to verify it, he went into the three rooms, which opened into another. The bedroom came first; next came the drawing room, and then a dining room, which evidently served as a kitchen, for a Dutch tiled stove, stood in the middle of it, on which a stew was simmering. The smell of carbolic acid was even stronger in the room. He remarked it, and added with a laugh:
“Do you put it in your soup?”
And as he said this, he grasped the handle of the floor, which led into the next room, for he wanted to see everything, even that nook, which was apparently a store cupboard. But the woman seized him by the arm, and pulled him violently back.

Where did he go?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

The woman who had beckoned to him lived on the third floor. All the way upstairs, his excitement increased, and his heart was beating violently when he reached the landing.
As he was going up, he smelled a peculiar odor, which grew stronger and stronger, and though he tried to analyze it, all he could decide was that it smelled like a chemist’s shop.
 The door on the right, at the end of the passage, was opened as soon as he put his foot on the landing, and the woman said, in a low voice:
“Come in, my dear.”
A very strong smell met his nostrils through the open door, and he exclaimed:
“ How stupid I was! I know what it is now: carbon acid is it not?”
“Yes,” the woman replied.” Don’t you like it, my dear? It is very wholesome, you know.”
The woman was not ugly, although not young; she had very good eyes, although these were sad and sunken in her head. Evidently, she had been crying very much quite recently, and that imparted a special spice to the vague smile she put on, so as to appear more amiable
Seized by his romantic ideas, and under the influence of the presentiment, which he had just before, he thought – and the idea filled him with pleasure –
“She is some widow, whom poverty has forced to sell herself.”
The room was small, but very clean and tidy, which confirmed him in his conjecture, and as he was curious to verify it, he went into the three rooms, which opened into another. The bedroom came first; next came the drawing room, and then a dining room, which evidently served as a kitchen, for a Dutch tiled stove, stood in the middle of it, on which a stew was simmering. The smell of carbolic acid was even stronger in the room. He remarked it, and added with a laugh:
“Do you put it in your soup?”
And as he said this, he grasped the handle of the floor, which led into the next room, for he wanted to see everything, even that nook, which was apparently a store cupboard. But the woman seized him by the arm, and pulled him violently back.

What is the meaning of Receipt?

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the given questions.

The two men looked into each other’s eyes- the widower speechless with astonishment, the jeweler scenting a thief. The latter broke the silence.
“Will you leave this necklace here for twenty-four hours? I will give you a receipt''.
“Certainly,” answered Mr. Lantin, hastily. Then putting the ticket in his pocket, he left the store.
 He wandered aimlessly through the streets, his mind in a sate of dreadful confusion. He tried to reason, to understand. He could not afford to purchase such a costly ornament, certainly not. But, then, it must have been a present, a present, a present from whom? Why was it given her?
 He stopped and remained standing in the middle of the street. A horrible doubt entered his mind – she? Then all the other gems must have been presents, too. The earth seemed to tremble beneath him; the tree before him was falling. Throwing up his arms, he too, fell to the ground unconscious. He recovered his senses in a pharmacy into which the passers-by had taken him, and later, was taken home. When he arrived, he shut himself up in his room and wept until nightfall. Finally, overcome with fatigue, he threw himself on the bed, where he passed an uneasy, restless night.
The following morning he arose and prepared to go to the office. It was hard to work after such a shock. He sent a letter to his employer requesting to be excused. Then he remembered that he had to return to the jeweler’s. He did not like the idea; but he could not leave the necklace with that man. So, he dressed and went out.
It was a lovely day; a clear blue sky smiled on the busy city below, and men of leisure were strolling about with their hands in their pockets.
Observing them, MLantin said to himself: “The rich, indeed, are happy. With money, it is possible to forget even the deepest sorrow. One can go where one pleases, and in travel find that distraction which is the surest cure for grief. Oh, if I was only rich”
He began to feel hungry, but his pocket was empty. He again remembered the necklace. Eighteen thousand francs. Eighteen thousand francs. What a sum.
He soon arrived in the Rue de la Paix, opposite the jeweler’s. Eighteen Thousand francs. Twenty times, he resolved to go in, but shame kept him back. He was hungry, however, - very hungry, and had not one cent in his pocket. He decided quickly and ran across the street in order to not have time for reflection, and entered the store.
The proprietor immediately came forward, and politely offered him a chair; the clerks glanced at him knowingly.
 “I have made inquires, M.Lantin,” said the jeweler, “and if you are still resolved to dispose of the gems, I am ready to pay you the price I offered.”
 “Certainly, sir,” stammered Mr. Lantin.

What is the meaning of fatigue?

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the given questions.

The two men looked into each other’s eyes- the widower speechless with astonishment, the jeweler scenting a thief. The latter broke the silence.
“Will you leave this necklace here for twenty-four hours? I will give you a receipt''.
“Certainly,” answered Mr. Lantin, hastily. Then putting the ticket in his pocket, he left the store.
 He wandered aimlessly through the streets, his mind in a sate of dreadful confusion. He tried to reason, to understand. He could not afford to purchase such a costly ornament, certainly not. But, then, it must have been a present, a present, a present from whom? Why was it given her?
 He stopped and remained standing in the middle of the street. A horrible doubt entered his mind – she? Then all the other gems must have been presents, too. The earth seemed to tremble beneath him; the tree before him was falling. Throwing up his arms, he too, fell to the ground unconscious. He recovered his senses in a pharmacy into which the passers-by had taken him, and later, was taken home. When he arrived, he shut himself up in his room and wept until nightfall. Finally, overcome with fatigue, he threw himself on the bed, where he passed an uneasy, restless night.
The following morning he arose and prepared to go to the office. It was hard to work after such a shock. He sent a letter to his employer requesting to be excused. Then he remembered that he had to return to the jeweler’s. He did not like the idea; but he could not leave the necklace with that man. So, he dressed and went out.
It was a lovely day; a clear blue sky smiled on the busy city below, and men of leisure were strolling about with their hands in their pockets.
Observing them, MLantin said to himself: “The rich, indeed, are happy. With money, it is possible to forget even the deepest sorrow. One can go where one pleases, and in travel find that distraction which is the surest cure for grief. Oh, if I was only rich”
He began to feel hungry, but his pocket was empty. He again remembered the necklace. Eighteen thousand francs. Eighteen thousand francs. What a sum.
He soon arrived in the Rue de la Paix, opposite the jeweler’s. Eighteen Thousand francs. Twenty times, he resolved to go in, but shame kept him back. He was hungry, however, - very hungry, and had not one cent in his pocket. He decided quickly and ran across the street in order to not have time for reflection, and entered the store.
The proprietor immediately came forward, and politely offered him a chair; the clerks glanced at him knowingly.
 “I have made inquires, M.Lantin,” said the jeweler, “and if you are still resolved to dispose of the gems, I am ready to pay you the price I offered.”
 “Certainly, sir,” stammered Mr. Lantin.

What is the meaning of wandered?

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the given questions.

The two men looked into each other’s eyes- the widower speechless with astonishment, the jeweler scenting a thief. The latter broke the silence.
“Will you leave this necklace here for twenty-four hours? I will give you a receipt''.
“Certainly,” answered Mr. Lantin, hastily. Then putting the ticket in his pocket, he left the store.
 He wandered aimlessly through the streets, his mind in a sate of dreadful confusion. He tried to reason, to understand. He could not afford to purchase such a costly ornament, certainly not. But, then, it must have been a present, a present, a present from whom? Why was it given her?
 He stopped and remained standing in the middle of the street. A horrible doubt entered his mind – she? Then all the other gems must have been presents, too. The earth seemed to tremble beneath him; the tree before him was falling. Throwing up his arms, he too, fell to the ground unconscious. He recovered his senses in a pharmacy into which the passers-by had taken him, and later, was taken home. When he arrived, he shut himself up in his room and wept until nightfall. Finally, overcome with fatigue, he threw himself on the bed, where he passed an uneasy, restless night.
The following morning he arose and prepared to go to the office. It was hard to work after such a shock. He sent a letter to his employer requesting to be excused. Then he remembered that he had to return to the jeweler’s. He did not like the idea; but he could not leave the necklace with that man. So, he dressed and went out.
It was a lovely day; a clear blue sky smiled on the busy city below, and men of leisure were strolling about with their hands in their pockets.
Observing them, MLantin said to himself: “The rich, indeed, are happy. With money, it is possible to forget even the deepest sorrow. One can go where one pleases, and in travel find that distraction which is the surest cure for grief. Oh, if I was only rich”
He began to feel hungry, but his pocket was empty. He again remembered the necklace. Eighteen thousand francs. Eighteen thousand francs. What a sum.
He soon arrived in the Rue de la Paix, opposite the jeweler’s. Eighteen Thousand francs. Twenty times, he resolved to go in, but shame kept him back. He was hungry, however, - very hungry, and had not one cent in his pocket. He decided quickly and ran across the street in order to not have time for reflection, and entered the store.
The proprietor immediately came forward, and politely offered him a chair; the clerks glanced at him knowingly.
 “I have made inquires, M.Lantin,” said the jeweler, “and if you are still resolved to dispose of the gems, I am ready to pay you the price I offered.”
 “Certainly, sir,” stammered Mr. Lantin.

What is the meaning of passers-by?

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the given questions.

The two men looked into each other’s eyes- the widower speechless with astonishment, the jeweler scenting a thief. The latter broke the silence.
“Will you leave this necklace here for twenty-four hours? I will give you a receipt''.
“Certainly,” answered Mr. Lantin, hastily. Then putting the ticket in his pocket, he left the store.
 He wandered aimlessly through the streets, his mind in a sate of dreadful confusion. He tried to reason, to understand. He could not afford to purchase such a costly ornament, certainly not. But, then, it must have been a present, a present, a present from whom? Why was it given her?
 He stopped and remained standing in the middle of the street. A horrible doubt entered his mind – she? Then all the other gems must have been presents, too. The earth seemed to tremble beneath him; the tree before him was falling. Throwing up his arms, he too, fell to the ground unconscious. He recovered his senses in a pharmacy into which the passers-by had taken him, and later, was taken home. When he arrived, he shut himself up in his room and wept until nightfall. Finally, overcome with fatigue, he threw himself on the bed, where he passed an uneasy, restless night.
The following morning he arose and prepared to go to the office. It was hard to work after such a shock. He sent a letter to his employer requesting to be excused. Then he remembered that he had to return to the jeweler’s. He did not like the idea; but he could not leave the necklace with that man. So, he dressed and went out.
It was a lovely day; a clear blue sky smiled on the busy city below, and men of leisure were strolling about with their hands in their pockets.
Observing them, MLantin said to himself: “The rich, indeed, are happy. With money, it is possible to forget even the deepest sorrow. One can go where one pleases, and in travel find that distraction which is the surest cure for grief. Oh, if I was only rich”
He began to feel hungry, but his pocket was empty. He again remembered the necklace. Eighteen thousand francs. Eighteen thousand francs. What a sum.
He soon arrived in the Rue de la Paix, opposite the jeweler’s. Eighteen Thousand francs. Twenty times, he resolved to go in, but shame kept him back. He was hungry, however, - very hungry, and had not one cent in his pocket. He decided quickly and ran across the street in order to not have time for reflection, and entered the store.
The proprietor immediately came forward, and politely offered him a chair; the clerks glanced at him knowingly.
 “I have made inquires, M.Lantin,” said the jeweler, “and if you are still resolved to dispose of the gems, I am ready to pay you the price I offered.”
 “Certainly, sir,” stammered Mr. Lantin.

What is the meaning of dreadful?

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the given questions.

The two men looked into each other’s eyes- the widower speechless with astonishment, the jeweler scenting a thief. The latter broke the silence.
“Will you leave this necklace here for twenty-four hours? I will give you a receipt''.
“Certainly,” answered Mr. Lantin, hastily. Then putting the ticket in his pocket, he left the store.
 He wandered aimlessly through the streets, his mind in a sate of dreadful confusion. He tried to reason, to understand. He could not afford to purchase such a costly ornament, certainly not. But, then, it must have been a present, a present, a present from whom? Why was it given her?
 He stopped and remained standing in the middle of the street. A horrible doubt entered his mind – she? Then all the other gems must have been presents, too. The earth seemed to tremble beneath him; the tree before him was falling. Throwing up his arms, he too, fell to the ground unconscious. He recovered his senses in a pharmacy into which the passers-by had taken him, and later, was taken home. When he arrived, he shut himself up in his room and wept until nightfall. Finally, overcome with fatigue, he threw himself on the bed, where he passed an uneasy, restless night.
The following morning he arose and prepared to go to the office. It was hard to work after such a shock. He sent a letter to his employer requesting to be excused. Then he remembered that he had to return to the jeweler’s. He did not like the idea; but he could not leave the necklace with that man. So, he dressed and went out.
It was a lovely day; a clear blue sky smiled on the busy city below, and men of leisure were strolling about with their hands in their pockets.
Observing them, MLantin said to himself: “The rich, indeed, are happy. With money, it is possible to forget even the deepest sorrow. One can go where one pleases, and in travel find that distraction which is the surest cure for grief. Oh, if I was only rich”
He began to feel hungry, but his pocket was empty. He again remembered the necklace. Eighteen thousand francs. Eighteen thousand francs. What a sum.
He soon arrived in the Rue de la Paix, opposite the jeweler’s. Eighteen Thousand francs. Twenty times, he resolved to go in, but shame kept him back. He was hungry, however, - very hungry, and had not one cent in his pocket. He decided quickly and ran across the street in order to not have time for reflection, and entered the store.
The proprietor immediately came forward, and politely offered him a chair; the clerks glanced at him knowingly.
 “I have made inquires, M.Lantin,” said the jeweler, “and if you are still resolved to dispose of the gems, I am ready to pay you the price I offered.”
 “Certainly, sir,” stammered Mr. Lantin.

What is the meaning of strolling?

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the given questions.

The two men looked into each other’s eyes- the widower speechless with astonishment, the jeweler scenting a thief. The latter broke the silence.
“Will you leave this necklace here for twenty-four hours? I will give you a receipt''.
“Certainly,” answered Mr. Lantin, hastily. Then putting the ticket in his pocket, he left the store.
 He wandered aimlessly through the streets, his mind in a sate of dreadful confusion. He tried to reason, to understand. He could not afford to purchase such a costly ornament, certainly not. But, then, it must have been a present, a present, a present from whom? Why was it given her?
 He stopped and remained standing in the middle of the street. A horrible doubt entered his mind – she? Then all the other gems must have been presents, too. The earth seemed to tremble beneath him; the tree before him was falling. Throwing up his arms, he too, fell to the ground unconscious. He recovered his senses in a pharmacy into which the passers-by had taken him, and later, was taken home. When he arrived, he shut himself up in his room and wept until nightfall. Finally, overcome with fatigue, he threw himself on the bed, where he passed an uneasy, restless night.
The following morning he arose and prepared to go to the office. It was hard to work after such a shock. He sent a letter to his employer requesting to be excused. Then he remembered that he had to return to the jeweler’s. He did not like the idea; but he could not leave the necklace with that man. So, he dressed and went out.
It was a lovely day; a clear blue sky smiled on the busy city below, and men of leisure were strolling about with their hands in their pockets.
Observing them, MLantin said to himself: “The rich, indeed, are happy. With money, it is possible to forget even the deepest sorrow. One can go where one pleases, and in travel find that distraction which is the surest cure for grief. Oh, if I was only rich”
He began to feel hungry, but his pocket was empty. He again remembered the necklace. Eighteen thousand francs. Eighteen thousand francs. What a sum.
He soon arrived in the Rue de la Paix, opposite the jeweler’s. Eighteen Thousand francs. Twenty times, he resolved to go in, but shame kept him back. He was hungry, however, - very hungry, and had not one cent in his pocket. He decided quickly and ran across the street in order to not have time for reflection, and entered the store.
The proprietor immediately came forward, and politely offered him a chair; the clerks glanced at him knowingly.
 “I have made inquires, M.Lantin,” said the jeweler, “and if you are still resolved to dispose of the gems, I am ready to pay you the price I offered.”
 “Certainly, sir,” stammered Mr. Lantin.