THE MUSHROOMS: READING AND COMPREHENSION ((Intermediate) (EXERCISE I39E137)

Many people like to eat mushrooms. The mushrooms we buy in the store are safe to eat. Some people like to pick mushrooms in the wild, but they have to be very careful, because some toadstools are poisonous even if they look safe to eat.

When my friend and I returned to our cabin after a day of bird hunting, he suggested we pick the mushrooms growing around there and fry them with the steaks we brought. I thought that was a great idea. After we picked the mushrooms, I went to work cooking dinner. It smelled very good, and we started to eat.

"I'm sure glad you know about mushrooms, Henry," I said while I was eating.

"I thought you were the expert," he said, putting down his fork. "I don't know a mushroom from a toadstool." 

We stopped eating the food right away and fed some to the dog instead. It walked away. 

When we went outside later, the dog was lying there dead.

We panicked. We hurried to the nearest town with a hospital, had our stomachs pumped and didn't get back until the next morning.

Then a man came to our door. He said his car had hit a dog the night before. Its leg was hurt, but it went away in our direction before he could get to it. He wanted to apologize if it was ours.

Adapted from a first person story by E.M., taken from The Detroit News circa 1980

QUESTIONS:

(1) Who was the mushroom expert? 

      (a) The person telling the story.

      (b) His friend Henry.

      (c) Neither of them.

(2) Why did they stop eating the food? 

      (a)  Because the dog died.

      (b) Because they got nervous when they found out neither of them knew about         

            mushrooms and toadstools.

      (c) Because it didn't taste so good.

(3) Why did they have their stomachs pumped? 

      (a)  Because they didn't feel very well after eating the mushrooms.

      (b) Because the mushrooms were poisonous.

      (c) Because they thought the dog died because of the mushrooms.

THE MUSHROOMS: READING AND COMPREHENSION (VERSION 2)

Many people like to eat mushrooms. The mushrooms we buy in the store are safe to eat. Some people like to pick mushrooms in the wild, but they have to be very careful, because some toadstools are poisonous, even though they look edible.

When my pal and I returned to our cabin after a day of bird hunting, he suggested we pick the mushrooms growing around there and sauté them with the steaks we brought. I thought that was a great idea. After we picked the mushrooms, I went to work cooking dinner. It smelled very good, and we dug in.

"I'm sure glad you know your mushrooms, Henry," I said between bites.

"On the contrary, I thought you were the expert," he said, setting down his fork. "I can't differentiate between a mushroom and a toadstool." 

We immediately stopped eating the food and fed some to the dog instead. It wandered off. 

When we went outside later, the dog was lying there dead.

We panicked. We raced to the nearest town with a hospital, had our stomachs pumped and didn't get back until the next morning.

Then a man came to our door. He said his car had hit a dog the night before. Its leg was hurt, but it limped away in our direction before he could get to it. He wanted to apologize if it was ours.

QUESTIONS:

(1) In the first paragraph, what does edible mean? 

      (a) Safe to eat.

      (b) Beautiful.

      (c) Perfect.

(2) In the second paragraph, what does pal mean? 

      (a) Relative.

       (b) Pet.

       (c) Friend.

(3) In the second paragraph, what does sauté mean? 

     (a)  Bake in the oven.

     (b) Boil in water.

     (c) Fry in a little oil.

(4) In the second paragraph, what does dug in mean? 

     (a) Made a hole in the ground.

     (b) Started to eat enthusiastically.

     (c) Went inside.

(5) In the third paragraph, what does between bites mean? 

     (a) While eating.

     (b) The dog bit him.

     (c) In the middle of the plate.

(6) In the third paragraph, what does on the contrary mean? 

     (a) By the way.

     (b) Showing your idea is opposite of what has been said

     (c) Agreeing with the last statement.

(7) In the third paragraph, what does differentiate mean? 

     (a)  Make two things different.

     (b) Put two different things together.

     (c)  Find the differences between two things.

(8) In the third paragraph, what does immediately mean? 

      (a) Now, without waiting.

      (b) After a little while.

      (c) Eventually.

  

ANSWERS:

The Mushrooms (Version 1)

Who was the mushroom expert?      (c)  Neither of them.

Why did they stop eating the food?  (a)  Because the dog died.

Why did they have their stomachs pumped? (b) Because they got nervous when they found out neither of them knew about mushrooms and toadstools.

The Mushrooms (Version 2)

In the first paragraph, what does edible mean?  (a) Safe to eat.

In the second paragraph, what does pal mean?  (c) Friend.

In the second paragraph, what does sauté mean? (c) Fry in a little oil.

In the second paragraph, what does dug in mean? (b)  Started to eat enthusiastically.

In the third paragraph, what does between bites mean?  (a)  While eating.

In the third paragraph, what does on the contrary mean? 

(b)  Showing your idea is opposite of what has been said

In the third paragraph, what does differentiate mean? 

(c)  Find the differences between two things.

In the fourth paragraph, what does immediately mean?  (a)  Now, without waiting.

 TO PRINT