"The Times"

Passage from "A Tale of Two Cities"

 

IT WAS the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair...

There were a king with a large jaw and a queen with a plain face, on the throne of England; there were a king with a large jaw and a queen with a fair face, on the throne of France. In both countries it was clearer than crystal to the lords of the State... that things in general were settled for ever.

It was the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five...

 

Reading Comprehension Questions

 

1)     The above passage is the start of a novel.  What does the first paragraph suggest about the time period in which the novel takes place?

a.      things were very complicated

b.      things were very simple

c.      events were taking place over a long period of time

d.      events were taking place over a large area

 

2)     Based on the above passage, the story that is being introduced takes place when?

a.      near the beginning of time

b.      about two centuries in the past

c.      about two centuries into the future

d.      near the end of time

 

3)     In the above passage, the second paragraph foreshadows that there will be a conflict between which of the following?

a.      the monarchy of England & the monarchy of France

b.      the Kings of England and France & the Queens of England and France

c.      the King of England & the Queen of England

d.      the King of France & the Queen of France

 

4)     The first paragraph of the above passage uses a figure of speech known as antithesis.  This can best be defined as which of the following?

a.      the use of one item to represent another

b.      the use of similar sounds within the words of a phrase

c.      the use of one verb to describe multiple actions

d.      the use of contrasting ideas placed side by side

 

5)     In the second paragraph, the author writes, "In both countries it was clearer than crystal..."  This phrase "clearer than crystal" uses which two figures of speech?

a.      metaphor & personification

b.      comparison & alliteration

c.      hyperbole & assonance

d.      simile & homophone

 

6)     In the second paragraph of the above passage, who does the term "lords of the State" refer to?

a.      citizens of a country

b.      foreign immigrants

c.      government officials

d.      military leaders

 

 

Answer Key

1)     The above passage is the start of a novel.  What does the first paragraph suggest about the time period in which the novel takes place?

a.      things were very complicated

b.      things were very simple

c.      events were taking place over a long period of time

d.      events were taking place over a large area

 

2)     Based on the above passage, the story that is being introduced takes place when?

a.      near the beginning of time

b.     about two centuries in the past

c.      about two centuries into the future

d.      near the end of time

 

3)     In the above passage, the second paragraph foreshadows that there will be a conflict between which of the following?

a.      the monarchy of England & the monarchy of France

b.      the Kings of England and France & the Queens of England and France

c.      the King of England & the Queen of England

d.      the King of France & the Queen of France

 

4)     The first paragraph of the above passage uses a figure of speech known as antithesis.  This can best be defined as which of the following?

a.      the use of one item to represent another

b.      the use of similar sounds within the words of a phrase

c.      the use of one verb to describe multiple actions

d.     the use of contrasting ideas placed side by side

 

5)     In the second paragraph, the author writes, "In both countries it was clearer than crystal..."  This phrase "clearer than crystal" uses which two figures of speech?

a.      metaphor & personification

b.     comparison & alliteration

c.      hyperbole & assonance

d.      simile & homophone

 

6)     In the second paragraph of the above passage, who does the term "lords of the State" refer to?

a.      citizens of a country

b.      foreign immigrants

c.      government officials

d.      military leaders