"The Policeman"

Passage from "Around the World in 80 Days"

Just as he was leaving the station a policeman came up to him, and said, "Mr. Phileas Fogg?"

"I am he."

"Is this man your servant?" added the policeman, pointing to Passepartout.

"Yes."

"Be so good, both of you, as to follow me."

Mr. Fogg betrayed no surprise whatever. The policeman was a representative of the law, and law is sacred to an Englishman. Passepartout tried to reason about the matter, but the policeman tapped him with his stick, and Mr. Fogg made him a signal to obey.

"May this young lady go with us?" asked he.

"She may," replied the policeman.

Mr. Fogg, Aouda, and Passepartout were conducted to a palkigahri, a sort of four-wheeled carriage, drawn by two horses, in which they took their places and were driven away. No one spoke during the twenty minutes which elapsed before they reached their destination…

The carriage stopped before a modest-looking house, which, however, did not have the appearance of a private mansion. The policeman… conducted them into a room with barred windows, and said: "You will appear before Judge Obadiah at half-past eight."

He then retired, and closed the door.

"Why, we are prisoners!" exclaimed Passepartout, falling into a chair.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1) In the above passage, which of the following happens to the characters?

a. they are robbed

b. they board a train

c. they commit a crime

d. they are arrested

2) In the above passage, why does Mr. Fogg give no resistance when he is confronted by the policeman?

a. he knows that he is guilty

b. he has great respect for the law

c. he is waiting for a chance to escape

d. he is worried he will be hurt

3) In the above passage, the character Passepartout is feeling which emotion?

a. distressed

b. calm

c. optimistic

d. cheerful

4) In the above passage, the “modest-looking house” where the characters are taken is actually which of the following?

a. a private mansion

b. a judge’s house

c. a jail

d. a train station

5) When he approaches the characters, the policeman in the above passage acts which way?

a. angry

b. excited

c. polite

d. frightened

6) In the above passage, it says character Passepartout “tries to reason about the matter.” Based on the reaction of the policeman, this means which of the following?

a. he quickly obeyed

b. he started to argue

c. he pulled out a weapon

d. he proved his innocence

Answer Key

1) In the above passage, which of the following happens to the characters?

a. they are robbed

b. they board a train

c. they commit a crime

d. they are arrested

2) In the above passage, why does Mr. Fogg give no resistance when he is confronted by the policeman?

a. he knows that he is guilty

b. he has great respect for the law

c. he is waiting for a chance to escape

d. he is worried he will be hurt

3) In the above passage, the character Passepartout is feeling which emotion?

a. distressed

b. calm

c. optimistic

d. cheerful

4) In the above passage, the “modest-looking house” where the characters are taken is actually which of the following?

a. a private mansion

b. a judge’s house

c. a jail

d. a train station

5) When he approaches the characters, the policeman in the above passage acts which way?

a. angry

b. excited

c. polite

d. frightened

6) In the above passage, it says character Passepartout “tries to reason about the matter.” Based on the reaction of the policeman, this means which of the following?

a. he quickly obeyed

b. he started to argue

c. he pulled out a weapon

d. he proved his innocence