An absent-minded scientist

Sir Isaac Newton was often so deeply interested in difficult problems that he became quite absent-minded. One day a gentleman came to see him, but was told that Sir Isaac was busy in his study and that noone was allowed to disturb him.

As it was dinner-time, the visitor sat down in the dining-room to wait for the scientist. The servant came in and placed on the table a boiled chicken under a cover. An hour passed, but Newton didn’t appear. The gentleman, feeling hungry, ate the chicken, and covering up the skeleton, asked the servant to prepare another one for his master.

Before the second chicken was ready, however, the scientist entered the room, apologizing for his delay. Then he added: “As I feel rather tired and hungry, I hope you will excuse me a little longer, while I take my dinner, and then I will be at your service.” With these words he lifted the cover, and without emotion turned round to the gentleman and said: “See what a strange set we scientists are! I quite forgot that 1 had dined already!”

At this moment the servant brought in the other chicken. The visitor explained how matters stood. After a hearty laugh, the hungry scientist sat down to dine.

I. Say if the statements are true or false.

Sir Isaac Newton was very seldom interested in difficult problems.

The visitor didn't wait for the scientist for a long time.

The gentleman felt hungry.

The scientist entered the room and ate the chicken.

The scientist was pleased with the dinner.

The servant brought in the other chicken.

II. Choose the correct answer.

1. Why did Isaac Newton become absent-minded?

a) he was ill

b) he was interested in music

c) he was deeply interested in difficult problems

2. What was the gentleman told when he came to see Isaac Newton?

a) that the scientist was walking down the river

b) that the scientist was working in his study

c) that the scientist was eating

3. What did the servant place on the table?

a) a boiled chicken

b) some boiled water

c) a boiled sausage

4. How long had the gentleman been waiting?

a) for an hour

b) for ages

c) for a day

5. What did the gentleman ask the servant?

a) to give him something to drink

b) to call the scientist at once

c) to prepare a chicken for Isaac Newton

6. What did Isaac Newton ask the visitor to do when he entered the room?

a) to wait a little longer

b) to have dinner together

c) to get away

III. Finish the sentences.

1. One day Isaac Newton …

a) was busy in his study.

b) went for a walk.

c) was having dinner with a gentleman.

2. The visitor sat down in a dining-room …

a) to have a rest.

b) to wait for the scientist.

c) to wait for the chicken he asked to prepare.

3. An hour passed …

a) and a servant appeared.

b) but the scientist didn’t appear.

c) and the visitor left.

4. The scientist entered the room …

a) saying he wasn’t pleased to see the gentleman.

b) asking for a favour.

c) apologizing for his delay.

A conceited american

A conceited American visited London where he hired an Englishman to show him around the city.

“How long were they building that?” he asked his guide as they passed a large hotel.

“About six months, I think”, answered the guide.

“Six months!” exclaimed the American. “It would take us more than six weeks to build a hotel like that in New York”.

They passed a building, which was quite new.

“And how long were they building that?” asked the American.

“About four weeks”, answered the guide.

“Four weeks!” exclaimed the American. “In New York we should build a house like that in six days”.

Nothing more was said until they reached the Houses of Parliament.

“Well, that’s not a bad-looking place”, said the American. “How long were they building that?”

“Well, you may not believe me”, answered the guide, “but that building was not there when I crossed the bridge last night”.

I. Say which statements are false or true.

1. A well-known American visited London.

2. He hired an Englishman to show him around a city.

3. It would take us 6 years to build a hotel.

4. They passed a building which was quite old.

5. They reached the White House.

6. That building was being built when I crossed the bridge.

II. Choose the correct answer.

1. Who visited London?

a) a self-conceited Australian b) a self-conceited American c) a selfish American

2. Why did he hire an Englishman?

a) to show him a ticket b) to show him around the city c) to show him a round stone

3. What did he want to know?

a) “How long were you there?” b) “How long were the buildings?” c) “How long were they building that?”

4. How long would it take in New York to build a house?

a) six years b) six days c) six weeks

5. What building did they reach at last?

a) the Empire Building b) the Houses of Parliament c) the house of the richest man.

6. What was the guid’s answer?

a) That building was under the bridge;

b) That building was there when I crossed the bridge;

c) That building was not there when I crossed the bridge.

III. Finish the sentences.

1. An American visited London where

a) he had to show a city to an Englishman.

b) he heard an Englishman.

c) he hired an Englishman to show him around the city.

2. He asked his guide as they

a) passed a large hotel. b) paused in front of the hotel.

c) parked by the hotel.

3. “Six Months” –

a) exclaimed the American. b) explained the American.

c) expected the American.

4. Nothing more...until they reached the Houses of Parliament

a) was sad. b) was said. c) was stayed.

5. That’s not a bad-looking

a) place. b) palace. c) plate.

6. You may not

a) deliver me. b) believe me. c) trust me.