Excerpt from "Ten Boys from History"

When Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was five years old, his father entered the sitting-room of their home and found him bending over a table. He was writing so busily that he did not hear his father enter, or see that he was standing beside him. Wolfgang's chubby little hand held the pen awkwardly, but held it with firm determination. He scribbled a strange collection of symbols, with here and there a huge blot that showed his inexperience in the use of ink.

What was he trying to do? His father's curiosity finally overcame him and he asked:

"What are you doing, Wolfgang?" The curly head was raised with an impatient gesture.

"I am composing a concerto for the harpsichord. I have nearly finished the first part."

"Let me see it."

"No, please, I have not yet finished."

But even as he spoke, the eager father had taken up the paper and carried it over to where a friend stood. They looked it over together, exchanging amused glances at the strange characters on it. Presently Leopold Mozart, after looking carefully at it, said:

"Why it really seems to be composed by rule! But it is so difficult that no one could ever play it."

"Oh, yes, they could, but it must be studied first," exclaimed little Wolfgang eagerly, and running to the harpsichord, he added:

"See, this is the way it begins," and he was able to play enough of it, to show what his idea in writing it had been. His father and the friend who had before exchanged glances of amusement, now looked at each other with wonder and awe.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1) If the above passage was placed in a book about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, it would most likely appear in which chapter?

a. “Mozart’s Greatest Masterpiece”

b. “Musicians Inspired by Mozart”

c. “Worldwide Fame comes to Mozart”

d. “Mozart and His First Concerto”

2) In the above passage, Leopard Mozart hears the music that his son has composed and feels it is which of these?

a. very complex

b. very simplistic

c. very sloppy

d. very familiar

3) The author uses which of the following to describe the scene between Mozart and his father?

a. extended metaphor

b. monologue

c. dialogue

d. symbolism

4) In the above passage, Mozart says, “I am composing a concerto for the harpsichord.” Based on the context, the “harpsichord” is which of the following?

a. a group of musicians

b. a set of sheet music

c. a musical instrument

d. a recording device

5) The above passage can best be described as which of the following?

a. a biography

b. an advertisement

c. an autobiography

d. a fairy tale

Answer Key

1) If the above passage was placed in a book about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, it would most likely appear in which chapter?

a. “Mozart’s Greatest Masterpiece”

b. “Musicians Inspired by Mozart”

c. “Worldwide Fame comes to Mozart”

d. “Mozart and His First Concerto”

2) In the above passage, Leopard Mozart hears the music that his son has composed and feels it is which of these?

a. very complex

b. very simplistic

c. very sloppy

d. very familiar

3) The author uses which of the following to describe the scene between Mozart and his father?

a. extended metaphor

b. monologue

c. dialogue

d. symbolism

4) In the above passage, Mozart says, “I am composing a concerto for the harpsichord.” Based on the context, the “harpsichord” is which of the following?

a. a group of musicians

b. a set of sheet music

c. a musical instrument

d. a recording device

5) The above passage can best be described as which of the following?

a. a biography

b. an advertisement

c. an autobiography

d. a fairy tale