Lesson 11 The Sailor and the Monkeys

1、A SAILOR once went ashore on the coast of South America. He had with him a number of red woollen caps for sale. On his way to a town at some distance from the coast, he had to pass through a forest, in which troops of monkeys were everywhere seen climbing among the trees.

2、At noon, as the sun was right overhead, the sailor had to take shelter from its burning rays. He lay down to rest under the shade of a large tree.

3、Taking one of the caps out of his bundle, he put it on his head, and soon fell fast asleep.

4、When he awoke, he found, to his utter amazement, that the caps were all gone!A most unusual chattering among the dense branches above him drew his attention.Looking up, he saw the trees alive with troops of monkeys, and on the head of each monkey was a red woollen cap!

5、The little mimics had watched his proceeding; and, having stolen his caps while he slept, had adorned their black pates with their booty. The monkeys gave no heed to his shouts, but only grinned at his rage.

6、Finding every attempt to get back his caps fruitless, he pulled off the one which he had put on his head, and threw it on the ground, crying out, “Here, you little thieving rogues, if you will keep the rest, you may take this one too!”

7、No sooner had he done this, than, to his great surprise, the little animals at once did the same. Each snatched the cap from his head and threw it on the ground! The sailor regained all his caps, and marched off in triumph.

(281 words)

Exercises

Ⅰ. How well did you read?

1. [note the fact] What did the sailor plan to do with his red caps?

A. To wear. B. To send them to others as gifts. C. To sell.

2. [note the reason] Why did the sailor lie down under the tree?

A. To take shelter from the burning sun.

B. To protect himself from being attacked by animals.

C. To see the monkeys climbing the trees.

3. [check the details] What did the sailor do before he fell asleep?

A. He ate some bread.

B. He put on one of his red caps on his head.

C. He wore his sunglasses.

4. [check the details] What did the sailor fi nd when he awoke?

A. He found the monkeys gone.

B. He found his money gone.

C. He found his caps gone.

5. [note the fact] Where were the sailor’s red caps?

A. On the trees.

B. On the head of each monkey.

C. On the ground.

6. [check the details] Which of the following is not true about the monkeys?

A. They stole the sailor’s caps while he slept.

B. They gave the caps back to the sailor when he shouted to them.

C. They laughed at the sailor when he got angry.

7. [note the fact] What did the sailor do when he couldn’t get his caps back?

A. He pulled off his cap and threw it on the ground.

B. He sat on the ground and cried.

C. He pulled off his cap and gave it to the monkey.

8. [give the reason]Why did the monkeys throw their caps on the ground too?