Page 150 - New Grammar with a Smile 5

Comprehension

1 The Emperor’s

New Clothes

Read the passage.

Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that

he spent all his money in dress. He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers;
nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities
then afforded him for displaying his new clothes. He had a different suit for each hour of
the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, ‘he is sitting in
council,’ it was always said of him, ‘The emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.’

Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day
at the court. One day, two rogues, calling themselves weavers, made their appearance.
They gave out that they knew how to weave stuffs of the most beautiful colours and

elaborate patterns, the clothes manufactured from which should have the wonderful
property of remaining invisible to everyone who was unfit for the office he held, or who
was extraordinarily simple in character.

‘These must, indeed, be splendid clothes!’ thought the Emperor. ‘Had I such a suit, I
might at once find out what men in my realms are unfit for their office, and also be able
to distinguish the wise from the foolish! This stuff must be woven for me immediately.’
And he caused large sums of money to be given to both the weavers in order that they
might begin their work directly.

So, the two pretended weavers set up two looms, and affected to work very busily,
though in reality they did nothing at all. They asked for the most delicate silk and
the purest gold thread; put both into their own knapsacks; and then continued their
pretended work at the empty looms until late at night.

Select the correct answer for each question.

1. What was the emperor excessively fond of?

a. new clothes b. gambling

c. travelling d. hunting

2. Which opportunity did he never miss?

a. working for the well-being of his empire b. displaying his new clothes

c. visiting theatre d. hunting
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