Reading Comprehension Questions

Multiple choice

Who came running to the palace?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“What is the fourth thing?” asked the Mandarin.
The Wise men shrugged. “We can pray to the Great Cloud Dragon to help us.”
“That seems most practical,” said the Mandarin
So the gongs were beaten, and the smoke of sweet incense rose up while everyone in the city prayed.
The next morning, as Han was sweeping the road under the gate, a small, fat man came walking up the hill. He had a long white beard and a shiny baldhead, and he leaned on a long staff
“Goodmorning,”he said
Han bowed.” I hope your honourable stomach is happy sir,” he replied, politely
“Will you take me to the ruler of the city?” said the little fat man.
“I’ll take you to him,” said Han, “but he is very busy this morning. We are expecting the enemy, and the Mandarin is praying to the Great Cloud Dragon for help.”
“I know,” said the little man. “I am the dragon.”
Han opened his eyes very wide. “You don’t look like one,” he said
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“No,” said Han.
“Now that you mention it, I haven’t,”
“Well, then?”
“Well then,” said Han, “please come this way, Honourable Dragon.”
He led the little fat man to the palace. There sat the Mandarin with his councilors. They had just finished a huge bowl of rice and six dozen duck eggs for breakfast and they were drinking their tea.
The Mandarin looked at the little fat man with a frown.
“Who is this person and why have you brought him here?” he asked Han.
“Sir,” said Han, “he is a dragon.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” said the Mandarin. “He’s a fat man who is tracking dirt on my fine carpets. What do you want here, old man?”

“I have come to help you,” said the little fat man. “But if you want a dragon to help you, you must treat him with courtesy. I have come a long, weary way. Give me something to eat and something to drink and speak to me politely, and I will save the city.”
  1. a messenger

  2. a person

  3. a thief

  4. a robber

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In the passage, Han brought the little fat man (who claimed to be the dragon) to the palace. The Mandarin asked who this person was and why Han brought him there. The context shows the small fat man came walking up the hill and was led to the palace, functioning as a messenger or visitor with a message to deliver.

Multiple choice

What is the meaning of ridiculous in context to the passage?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“What is the fourth thing?” asked the Mandarin.
The Wise men shrugged. “We can pray to the Great Cloud Dragon to help us.”
“That seems most practical,” said the Mandarin
So the gongs were beaten, and the smoke of sweet incense rose up while everyone in the city prayed.
The next morning, as Han was sweeping the road under the gate, a small, fat man came walking up the hill. He had a long white beard and a shiny baldhead, and he leaned on a long staff
“Goodmorning,”he said
Han bowed.” I hope your honourable stomach is happy sir,” he replied, politely
“Will you take me to the ruler of the city?” said the little fat man.
“I’ll take you to him,” said Han, “but he is very busy this morning. We are expecting the enemy, and the Mandarin is praying to the Great Cloud Dragon for help.”
“I know,” said the little man. “I am the dragon.”
Han opened his eyes very wide. “You don’t look like one,” he said
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“No,” said Han.
“Now that you mention it, I haven’t,”
“Well, then?”
“Well then,” said Han, “please come this way, Honourable Dragon.”
He led the little fat man to the palace. There sat the Mandarin with his councilors. They had just finished a huge bowl of rice and six dozen duck eggs for breakfast and they were drinking their tea.
The Mandarin looked at the little fat man with a frown.
“Who is this person and why have you brought him here?” he asked Han.
“Sir,” said Han, “he is a dragon.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” said the Mandarin. “He’s a fat man who is tracking dirt on my fine carpets. What do you want here, old man?”

“I have come to help you,” said the little fat man. “But if you want a dragon to help you, you must treat him with courtesy. I have come a long, weary way. Give me something to eat and something to drink and speak to me politely, and I will save the city.”
  1. absurd

  2. comical

  3. silly

  4. funny

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In the passage, the Mandarin says "Don't be ridiculous" when Han claims the fat man is a dragon. The Mandarin means absurd or foolish - he's dismissing the idea as unbelievable or laughable. In this context, ridiculous means absurd or unreasonable.

Multiple choice

What did the little fat man say?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“What is the fourth thing?” asked the Mandarin.
The Wise men shrugged. “We can pray to the Great Cloud Dragon to help us.”
“That seems most practical,” said the Mandarin
So the gongs were beaten, and the smoke of sweet incense rose up while everyone in the city prayed.
The next morning, as Han was sweeping the road under the gate, a small, fat man came walking up the hill. He had a long white beard and a shiny baldhead, and he leaned on a long staff
“Goodmorning,”he said
Han bowed.” I hope your honourable stomach is happy sir,” he replied, politely
“Will you take me to the ruler of the city?” said the little fat man.
“I’ll take you to him,” said Han, “but he is very busy this morning. We are expecting the enemy, and the Mandarin is praying to the Great Cloud Dragon for help.”
“I know,” said the little man. “I am the dragon.”
Han opened his eyes very wide. “You don’t look like one,” he said
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“No,” said Han.
“Now that you mention it, I haven’t,”
“Well, then?”
“Well then,” said Han, “please come this way, Honourable Dragon.”
He led the little fat man to the palace. There sat the Mandarin with his councilors. They had just finished a huge bowl of rice and six dozen duck eggs for breakfast and they were drinking their tea.
The Mandarin looked at the little fat man with a frown.
“Who is this person and why have you brought him here?” he asked Han.
“Sir,” said Han, “he is a dragon.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” said the Mandarin. “He’s a fat man who is tracking dirt on my fine carpets. What do you want here, old man?”

“I have come to help you,” said the little fat man. “But if you want a dragon to help you, you must treat him with courtesy. I have come a long, weary way. Give me something to eat and something to drink and speak to me politely, and I will save the city.”
  1. I have come to help you

  2. I have come to aid you

  3. I have come to assist you

  4. I have come to guide you

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

 It is given here in the passage: “I have come to help you,” said the little fat man.

Multiple choice

What is the meaning of staff in context to the passage?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“What is the fourth thing?” asked the Mandarin.
The Wise men shrugged. “We can pray to the Great Cloud Dragon to help us.”
“That seems most practical,” said the Mandarin
So the gongs were beaten, and the smoke of sweet incense rose up while everyone in the city prayed.
The next morning, as Han was sweeping the road under the gate, a small, fat man came walking up the hill. He had a long white beard and a shiny baldhead, and he leaned on a long staff
“Goodmorning,”he said
Han bowed.” I hope your honourable stomach is happy sir,” he replied, politely
“Will you take me to the ruler of the city?” said the little fat man.
“I’ll take you to him,” said Han, “but he is very busy this morning. We are expecting the enemy, and the Mandarin is praying to the Great Cloud Dragon for help.”
“I know,” said the little man. “I am the dragon.”
Han opened his eyes very wide. “You don’t look like one,” he said
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“No,” said Han.
“Now that you mention it, I haven’t,”
“Well, then?”
“Well then,” said Han, “please come this way, Honourable Dragon.”
He led the little fat man to the palace. There sat the Mandarin with his councilors. They had just finished a huge bowl of rice and six dozen duck eggs for breakfast and they were drinking their tea.
The Mandarin looked at the little fat man with a frown.
“Who is this person and why have you brought him here?” he asked Han.
“Sir,” said Han, “he is a dragon.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” said the Mandarin. “He’s a fat man who is tracking dirt on my fine carpets. What do you want here, old man?”

“I have come to help you,” said the little fat man. “But if you want a dragon to help you, you must treat him with courtesy. I have come a long, weary way. Give me something to eat and something to drink and speak to me politely, and I will save the city.”
  1. stave

  2. long pole

  3. short stick

  4. crook

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Multiple choice

What was beaten?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“What is the fourth thing?” asked the Mandarin.
The Wise men shrugged. “We can pray to the Great Cloud Dragon to help us.”
“That seems most practical,” said the Mandarin
So the gongs were beaten, and the smoke of sweet incense rose up while everyone in the city prayed.
The next morning, as Han was sweeping the road under the gate, a small, fat man came walking up the hill. He had a long white beard and a shiny baldhead, and he leaned on a long staff
“Goodmorning,”he said
Han bowed.” I hope your honourable stomach is happy sir,” he replied, politely
“Will you take me to the ruler of the city?” said the little fat man.
“I’ll take you to him,” said Han, “but he is very busy this morning. We are expecting the enemy, and the Mandarin is praying to the Great Cloud Dragon for help.”
“I know,” said the little man. “I am the dragon.”
Han opened his eyes very wide. “You don’t look like one,” he said
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“No,” said Han.
“Now that you mention it, I haven’t,”
“Well, then?”
“Well then,” said Han, “please come this way, Honourable Dragon.”
He led the little fat man to the palace. There sat the Mandarin with his councilors. They had just finished a huge bowl of rice and six dozen duck eggs for breakfast and they were drinking their tea.
The Mandarin looked at the little fat man with a frown.
“Who is this person and why have you brought him here?” he asked Han.
“Sir,” said Han, “he is a dragon.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” said the Mandarin. “He’s a fat man who is tracking dirt on my fine carpets. What do you want here, old man?”

“I have come to help you,” said the little fat man. “But if you want a dragon to help you, you must treat him with courtesy. I have come a long, weary way. Give me something to eat and something to drink and speak to me politely, and I will save the city.”
  1. gongs

  2. bells

  3. trumpet

  4. alarm bells

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The passage directly states 'So the gongs were beaten' as part of the prayer ceremony to the Great Cloud Dragon. Gongs are traditional Asian percussion instruments used in religious ceremonies to call people to prayer.

Multiple choice

What is the meaning of incense in context to the passage?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“What is the fourth thing?” asked the Mandarin.
The Wise men shrugged. “We can pray to the Great Cloud Dragon to help us.”
“That seems most practical,” said the Mandarin
So the gongs were beaten, and the smoke of sweet incense rose up while everyone in the city prayed.
The next morning, as Han was sweeping the road under the gate, a small, fat man came walking up the hill. He had a long white beard and a shiny baldhead, and he leaned on a long staff
“Goodmorning,”he said
Han bowed.” I hope your honourable stomach is happy sir,” he replied, politely
“Will you take me to the ruler of the city?” said the little fat man.
“I’ll take you to him,” said Han, “but he is very busy this morning. We are expecting the enemy, and the Mandarin is praying to the Great Cloud Dragon for help.”
“I know,” said the little man. “I am the dragon.”
Han opened his eyes very wide. “You don’t look like one,” he said
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“No,” said Han.
“Now that you mention it, I haven’t,”
“Well, then?”
“Well then,” said Han, “please come this way, Honourable Dragon.”
He led the little fat man to the palace. There sat the Mandarin with his councilors. They had just finished a huge bowl of rice and six dozen duck eggs for breakfast and they were drinking their tea.
The Mandarin looked at the little fat man with a frown.
“Who is this person and why have you brought him here?” he asked Han.
“Sir,” said Han, “he is a dragon.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” said the Mandarin. “He’s a fat man who is tracking dirt on my fine carpets. What do you want here, old man?”

“I have come to help you,” said the little fat man. “But if you want a dragon to help you, you must treat him with courtesy. I have come a long, weary way. Give me something to eat and something to drink and speak to me politely, and I will save the city.”
  1. fragrance

  2. perfume

  3. anger

  4. scent

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Incense is a substance that produces fragrant smoke when burned, used in religious ceremonies. The phrase 'smoke of sweet incense' directly connects the burning to the pleasant smell (fragrance) that rises during prayers.

Multiple choice

What is the meaning of shrugged in context to the passage?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“What is the fourth thing?” asked the Mandarin.
The Wise men shrugged. “We can pray to the Great Cloud Dragon to help us.”
“That seems most practical,” said the Mandarin
So the gongs were beaten, and the smoke of sweet incense rose up while everyone in the city prayed.
The next morning, as Han was sweeping the road under the gate, a small, fat man came walking up the hill. He had a long white beard and a shiny baldhead, and he leaned on a long staff
“Goodmorning,”he said
Han bowed.” I hope your honourable stomach is happy sir,” he replied, politely
“Will you take me to the ruler of the city?” said the little fat man.
“I’ll take you to him,” said Han, “but he is very busy this morning. We are expecting the enemy, and the Mandarin is praying to the Great Cloud Dragon for help.”
“I know,” said the little man. “I am the dragon.”
Han opened his eyes very wide. “You don’t look like one,” he said
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“No,” said Han.
“Now that you mention it, I haven’t,”
“Well, then?”
“Well then,” said Han, “please come this way, Honourable Dragon.”
He led the little fat man to the palace. There sat the Mandarin with his councilors. They had just finished a huge bowl of rice and six dozen duck eggs for breakfast and they were drinking their tea.
The Mandarin looked at the little fat man with a frown.
“Who is this person and why have you brought him here?” he asked Han.
“Sir,” said Han, “he is a dragon.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” said the Mandarin. “He’s a fat man who is tracking dirt on my fine carpets. What do you want here, old man?”

“I have come to help you,” said the little fat man. “But if you want a dragon to help you, you must treat him with courtesy. I have come a long, weary way. Give me something to eat and something to drink and speak to me politely, and I will save the city.”
  1. take no notice of

  2. dismiss

  3. ignore

  4. disregard

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Multiple choice

What did everyone do in the city?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“What is the fourth thing?” asked the Mandarin.
The Wise men shrugged. “We can pray to the Great Cloud Dragon to help us.”
“That seems most practical,” said the Mandarin
So the gongs were beaten, and the smoke of sweet incense rose up while everyone in the city prayed.
The next morning, as Han was sweeping the road under the gate, a small, fat man came walking up the hill. He had a long white beard and a shiny baldhead, and he leaned on a long staff
“Goodmorning,”he said
Han bowed.” I hope your honourable stomach is happy sir,” he replied, politely
“Will you take me to the ruler of the city?” said the little fat man.
“I’ll take you to him,” said Han, “but he is very busy this morning. We are expecting the enemy, and the Mandarin is praying to the Great Cloud Dragon for help.”
“I know,” said the little man. “I am the dragon.”
Han opened his eyes very wide. “You don’t look like one,” he said
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“No,” said Han.
“Now that you mention it, I haven’t,”
“Well, then?”
“Well then,” said Han, “please come this way, Honourable Dragon.”
He led the little fat man to the palace. There sat the Mandarin with his councilors. They had just finished a huge bowl of rice and six dozen duck eggs for breakfast and they were drinking their tea.
The Mandarin looked at the little fat man with a frown.
“Who is this person and why have you brought him here?” he asked Han.
“Sir,” said Han, “he is a dragon.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” said the Mandarin. “He’s a fat man who is tracking dirt on my fine carpets. What do you want here, old man?”

“I have come to help you,” said the little fat man. “But if you want a dragon to help you, you must treat him with courtesy. I have come a long, weary way. Give me something to eat and something to drink and speak to me politely, and I will save the city.”
  1. prayed

  2. invoke god

  3. appeal to god

  4. put a petition to god

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The passage explicitly states that 'everyone in the city prayed' after the gongs were beaten and incense smoke rose. This was a collective prayer ceremony seeking the Great Cloud Dragon's help against the approaching enemy.

Multiple choice

What was the breakfast of the Mandarin and the councilors?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“What is the fourth thing?” asked the Mandarin.
The Wise men shrugged. “We can pray to the Great Cloud Dragon to help us.”
“That seems most practical,” said the Mandarin
So the gongs were beaten, and the smoke of sweet incense rose up while everyone in the city prayed.
The next morning, as Han was sweeping the road under the gate, a small, fat man came walking up the hill. He had a long white beard and a shiny baldhead, and he leaned on a long staff
“Goodmorning,”he said
Han bowed.” I hope your honourable stomach is happy sir,” he replied, politely
“Will you take me to the ruler of the city?” said the little fat man.
“I’ll take you to him,” said Han, “but he is very busy this morning. We are expecting the enemy, and the Mandarin is praying to the Great Cloud Dragon for help.”
“I know,” said the little man. “I am the dragon.”
Han opened his eyes very wide. “You don’t look like one,” he said
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“No,” said Han.
“Now that you mention it, I haven’t,”
“Well, then?”
“Well then,” said Han, “please come this way, Honourable Dragon.”
He led the little fat man to the palace. There sat the Mandarin with his councilors. They had just finished a huge bowl of rice and six dozen duck eggs for breakfast and they were drinking their tea.
The Mandarin looked at the little fat man with a frown.
“Who is this person and why have you brought him here?” he asked Han.
“Sir,” said Han, “he is a dragon.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” said the Mandarin. “He’s a fat man who is tracking dirt on my fine carpets. What do you want here, old man?”

“I have come to help you,” said the little fat man. “But if you want a dragon to help you, you must treat him with courtesy. I have come a long, weary way. Give me something to eat and something to drink and speak to me politely, and I will save the city.”
  1. huge bowl of rice and six dozen duck eggs

  2. huge bowl of noodles and five dozen eggs

  3. small bowl of rice and eggs

  4. huge bowl of rice, noodles and six dozen duck eggs

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

 It is given here in the passage: "They had just finished a huge bowl of rice and six dozen duck eggs for breakfast and they were drinking their tea."

Multiple choice

What is the meaning of baldhead in context to the passage?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“What is the fourth thing?” asked the Mandarin.
The Wise men shrugged. “We can pray to the Great Cloud Dragon to help us.”
“That seems most practical,” said the Mandarin
So the gongs were beaten, and the smoke of sweet incense rose up while everyone in the city prayed.
The next morning, as Han was sweeping the road under the gate, a small, fat man came walking up the hill. He had a long white beard and a shiny baldhead, and he leaned on a long staff
“Goodmorning,”he said
Han bowed.” I hope your honourable stomach is happy sir,” he replied, politely
“Will you take me to the ruler of the city?” said the little fat man.
“I’ll take you to him,” said Han, “but he is very busy this morning. We are expecting the enemy, and the Mandarin is praying to the Great Cloud Dragon for help.”
“I know,” said the little man. “I am the dragon.”
Han opened his eyes very wide. “You don’t look like one,” he said
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“No,” said Han.
“Now that you mention it, I haven’t,”
“Well, then?”
“Well then,” said Han, “please come this way, Honourable Dragon.”
He led the little fat man to the palace. There sat the Mandarin with his councilors. They had just finished a huge bowl of rice and six dozen duck eggs for breakfast and they were drinking their tea.
The Mandarin looked at the little fat man with a frown.
“Who is this person and why have you brought him here?” he asked Han.
“Sir,” said Han, “he is a dragon.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” said the Mandarin. “He’s a fat man who is tracking dirt on my fine carpets. What do you want here, old man?”

“I have come to help you,” said the little fat man. “But if you want a dragon to help you, you must treat him with courtesy. I have come a long, weary way. Give me something to eat and something to drink and speak to me politely, and I will save the city.”
  1. no hair on the head

  2. with little hair

  3. more hair

  4. completely without hair

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The passage describes the old man having 'a shiny baldhead,' which means having no hair on the head at all. While 'completely without hair' (D) is similar, option A 'no hair on the head' more directly and accurately captures the meaning without overemphasis.

Multiple choice

What is the meaning of bowed in context to the passage?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“What is the fourth thing?” asked the Mandarin.
The Wise men shrugged. “We can pray to the Great Cloud Dragon to help us.”
“That seems most practical,” said the Mandarin
So the gongs were beaten, and the smoke of sweet incense rose up while everyone in the city prayed.
The next morning, as Han was sweeping the road under the gate, a small, fat man came walking up the hill. He had a long white beard and a shiny baldhead, and he leaned on a long staff
“Goodmorning,”he said
Han bowed.” I hope your honourable stomach is happy sir,” he replied, politely
“Will you take me to the ruler of the city?” said the little fat man.
“I’ll take you to him,” said Han, “but he is very busy this morning. We are expecting the enemy, and the Mandarin is praying to the Great Cloud Dragon for help.”
“I know,” said the little man. “I am the dragon.”
Han opened his eyes very wide. “You don’t look like one,” he said
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“No,” said Han.
“Now that you mention it, I haven’t,”
“Well, then?”
“Well then,” said Han, “please come this way, Honourable Dragon.”
He led the little fat man to the palace. There sat the Mandarin with his councilors. They had just finished a huge bowl of rice and six dozen duck eggs for breakfast and they were drinking their tea.
The Mandarin looked at the little fat man with a frown.
“Who is this person and why have you brought him here?” he asked Han.
“Sir,” said Han, “he is a dragon.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” said the Mandarin. “He’s a fat man who is tracking dirt on my fine carpets. What do you want here, old man?”

“I have come to help you,” said the little fat man. “But if you want a dragon to help you, you must treat him with courtesy. I have come a long, weary way. Give me something to eat and something to drink and speak to me politely, and I will save the city.”
  1. salaam

  2. bob

  3. nod

  4. kowtow

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In the passage context, Han bowed to show respect to the little fat man he believed was a dragon. A salaam is a deep formal bow showing respect, traditionally used in South Asian and Middle Eastern cultures when greeting or showing deference to someone important.

Multiple choice

Whose help did the wise man want to take?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“What is the fourth thing?” asked the Mandarin.
The Wise men shrugged. “We can pray to the Great Cloud Dragon to help us.”
“That seems most practical,” said the Mandarin
So the gongs were beaten, and the smoke of sweet incense rose up while everyone in the city prayed.
The next morning, as Han was sweeping the road under the gate, a small, fat man came walking up the hill. He had a long white beard and a shiny baldhead, and he leaned on a long staff
“Goodmorning,”he said
Han bowed.” I hope your honourable stomach is happy sir,” he replied, politely
“Will you take me to the ruler of the city?” said the little fat man.
“I’ll take you to him,” said Han, “but he is very busy this morning. We are expecting the enemy, and the Mandarin is praying to the Great Cloud Dragon for help.”
“I know,” said the little man. “I am the dragon.”
Han opened his eyes very wide. “You don’t look like one,” he said
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“No,” said Han.
“Now that you mention it, I haven’t,”
“Well, then?”
“Well then,” said Han, “please come this way, Honourable Dragon.”
He led the little fat man to the palace. There sat the Mandarin with his councilors. They had just finished a huge bowl of rice and six dozen duck eggs for breakfast and they were drinking their tea.
The Mandarin looked at the little fat man with a frown.
“Who is this person and why have you brought him here?” he asked Han.
“Sir,” said Han, “he is a dragon.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” said the Mandarin. “He’s a fat man who is tracking dirt on my fine carpets. What do you want here, old man?”

“I have come to help you,” said the little fat man. “But if you want a dragon to help you, you must treat him with courtesy. I have come a long, weary way. Give me something to eat and something to drink and speak to me politely, and I will save the city.”
  1. Great Cloud Dragon

  2. Dragon

  3. Monk

  4. Great Dragon

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The wise men explicitly say 'We can pray to the Great Cloud Dragon to help us.' They specifically name the Great Cloud Dragon, not just 'Dragon' or any other entity. The full name 'Great Cloud Dragon' is the complete and accurate reference.

Multiple choice

What was the old man doing?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“What is the fourth thing?” asked the Mandarin.
The Wise men shrugged. “We can pray to the Great Cloud Dragon to help us.”
“That seems most practical,” said the Mandarin
So the gongs were beaten, and the smoke of sweet incense rose up while everyone in the city prayed.
The next morning, as Han was sweeping the road under the gate, a small, fat man came walking up the hill. He had a long white beard and a shiny baldhead, and he leaned on a long staff
“Goodmorning,”he said
Han bowed.” I hope your honourable stomach is happy sir,” he replied, politely
“Will you take me to the ruler of the city?” said the little fat man.
“I’ll take you to him,” said Han, “but he is very busy this morning. We are expecting the enemy, and the Mandarin is praying to the Great Cloud Dragon for help.”
“I know,” said the little man. “I am the dragon.”
Han opened his eyes very wide. “You don’t look like one,” he said
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“No,” said Han.
“Now that you mention it, I haven’t,”
“Well, then?”
“Well then,” said Han, “please come this way, Honourable Dragon.”
He led the little fat man to the palace. There sat the Mandarin with his councilors. They had just finished a huge bowl of rice and six dozen duck eggs for breakfast and they were drinking their tea.
The Mandarin looked at the little fat man with a frown.
“Who is this person and why have you brought him here?” he asked Han.
“Sir,” said Han, “he is a dragon.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” said the Mandarin. “He’s a fat man who is tracking dirt on my fine carpets. What do you want here, old man?”

“I have come to help you,” said the little fat man. “But if you want a dragon to help you, you must treat him with courtesy. I have come a long, weary way. Give me something to eat and something to drink and speak to me politely, and I will save the city.”
  1. he leaned on a long staff

  2. he leaned on a long stick

  3. he leaned on a big stick

  4. he leaned on a stick

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

 It is given in the following line of the passage: "He had a long white beard and a shiny baldhead, and he leaned on a long staff".

Multiple choice

Who came walking near the gate?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“What is the fourth thing?” asked the Mandarin.
The Wise men shrugged. “We can pray to the Great Cloud Dragon to help us.”
“That seems most practical,” said the Mandarin
So the gongs were beaten, and the smoke of sweet incense rose up while everyone in the city prayed.
The next morning, as Han was sweeping the road under the gate, a small, fat man came walking up the hill. He had a long white beard and a shiny baldhead, and he leaned on a long staff
“Goodmorning,”he said
Han bowed.” I hope your honourable stomach is happy sir,” he replied, politely
“Will you take me to the ruler of the city?” said the little fat man.
“I’ll take you to him,” said Han, “but he is very busy this morning. We are expecting the enemy, and the Mandarin is praying to the Great Cloud Dragon for help.”
“I know,” said the little man. “I am the dragon.”
Han opened his eyes very wide. “You don’t look like one,” he said
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“No,” said Han.
“Now that you mention it, I haven’t,”
“Well, then?”
“Well then,” said Han, “please come this way, Honourable Dragon.”
He led the little fat man to the palace. There sat the Mandarin with his councilors. They had just finished a huge bowl of rice and six dozen duck eggs for breakfast and they were drinking their tea.
The Mandarin looked at the little fat man with a frown.
“Who is this person and why have you brought him here?” he asked Han.
“Sir,” said Han, “he is a dragon.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” said the Mandarin. “He’s a fat man who is tracking dirt on my fine carpets. What do you want here, old man?”

“I have come to help you,” said the little fat man. “But if you want a dragon to help you, you must treat him with courtesy. I have come a long, weary way. Give me something to eat and something to drink and speak to me politely, and I will save the city.”
  1. a small, fat man

  2. a fat man

  3. a big fat man

  4. a thin small man

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

 It is given in the following line of the passage: "The next morning, as Han was sweeping the road under the gate, a small, fat man came walking up the hill."

Multiple choice

What did Han say to the little fat man?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“What is the fourth thing?” asked the Mandarin.
The Wise men shrugged. “We can pray to the Great Cloud Dragon to help us.”
“That seems most practical,” said the Mandarin
So the gongs were beaten, and the smoke of sweet incense rose up while everyone in the city prayed.
The next morning, as Han was sweeping the road under the gate, a small, fat man came walking up the hill. He had a long white beard and a shiny baldhead, and he leaned on a long staff
“Goodmorning,”he said
Han bowed.” I hope your honourable stomach is happy sir,” he replied, politely
“Will you take me to the ruler of the city?” said the little fat man.
“I’ll take you to him,” said Han, “but he is very busy this morning. We are expecting the enemy, and the Mandarin is praying to the Great Cloud Dragon for help.”
“I know,” said the little man. “I am the dragon.”
Han opened his eyes very wide. “You don’t look like one,” he said
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“No,” said Han.
“Now that you mention it, I haven’t,”
“Well, then?”
“Well then,” said Han, “please come this way, Honourable Dragon.”
He led the little fat man to the palace. There sat the Mandarin with his councilors. They had just finished a huge bowl of rice and six dozen duck eggs for breakfast and they were drinking their tea.
The Mandarin looked at the little fat man with a frown.
“Who is this person and why have you brought him here?” he asked Han.
“Sir,” said Han, “he is a dragon.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” said the Mandarin. “He’s a fat man who is tracking dirt on my fine carpets. What do you want here, old man?”

“I have come to help you,” said the little fat man. “But if you want a dragon to help you, you must treat him with courtesy. I have come a long, weary way. Give me something to eat and something to drink and speak to me politely, and I will save the city.”
  1. Mandarin was praying

  2. Mandarin was invoking

  3. Mandarin was sleeping

  4. Mandarin was eating

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

 It is given in the following line of the passage: "We are expecting the enemy, and the Mandarin is praying to the Great Cloud Dragon for help."