Unit 3: The Young Man and the Old Man

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Word List

  • v. To admonish someone is to tell them you disapprove of their behavior.
    The teacher admonished Mark because he was chewing gum in class.
  • adj. If something is audible, then it is able to be heard.
    The sound of the drums was audible from miles away.
  • adj. If things or people are awesome, they are impressive or frightening.
    The huge military plane was an awesome sight.
  • v. To beware means to be careful of something or someone that is dangerous.
    You should beware of driving fast on wet roads.
  • v. To brag means to talk of one's abilities or achievements in a proud way.
    He had strong muscles and bragged about them to the entire class.
  • adj. If someone is conscious of something, then they are aware of it.
    The new student was conscious of the other students staring at her.
  • v. To disagree with someone means to have a different opinion from them.
    The lawyers disagreed about the best way to settle the case.
  • v. To echo means that a sound repeats itself because it bounced off an object.
    The child yelled over the canyon, and the sound echoed off the wall.
  • adj. If something is eventual, it will happen at the end of a series of events.
    The constant training and planning led the team to an eventual victory.
  • n. A hint is information that suggests something will happen or is true.
    I quietly passed on a hint to my sister about the test.
  • n. An idiot is a person who is not smart or who has done something silly.
    Because he got lost in the forest, the man felt like an idiot.
  • adj. If something is immense, it is very large.
    An immense amount of money was needed to buy such a large boat.
  • adj. If something is indirect, then it is not the easiest or straightest way.
    He chose to take the most indirect route to the coast.
  • n. An option is a choice between two or more things.
    The children were given the option of three houses to pick from.
  • n. A pastime is an activity that you do often for fun.
    In the US, baseball is considered a national pastime.
  • adj. If something is perfect, then it is without any mistakes.
    She got all the questions right, so her score was perfect.
  • v. To pinpoint something means to locate it exactly.
    The navigation system in my car is able to pinpoint my exact location.
  • v. To switch means to change something to something else.
    Mom switched the TV station from the news to her favorite show.
  • adj. If something is thorough, it is complete or done carefully.
    Tina did a thorough job of cleaning the stains out of the carpet.
  • v. To torment someone means to cause them to suffer on purpose.
    She tormented her little brother by taking his favorite toy.

 

Exercise

A ‣ Write the word that best fits each sentence.

  1. idiot / option
    I had the _____ of going with them or staying home. I felt like an _____ for the choice I made.
  2. admonished / torment
    Because he liked to _____ the kitten by pouring water on it, the boy's mother _____ him for his cruel behavior.
  3. echoed / pinpoint
    It was difficult to _____ the dog's location because its cries _____ off of the hills.
  4. brag / perfect
    My sister likes to _____ about how my mother and father think her behavior is _____.
  5. beware / switch
    When you _____ the machine on, you need to _____ because the machine is dangerous.
  6. eventual / pastime
    All of the accidents at the swimming pool led to the _____ closing of it and the end of a favorite summer _____.
  7. disagreed / awesome
    The king wanted people to think that his power was _____. He would put people in jail if they _____ with him.
  8. audible / conscious
    Even though the little girl was trying to sneak up on her parents, her _____ steps made her parents _____ of her.
  9. immense / indirect
    An _____ tree fell across the road, forcing the travelers to take a more _____ route through the countryside.
  10. hint / thorough
    The police could not find a single clue to the crime, which gave a _____ as to how _____ the thief had been.

 

B ‣ Match the phrases to make complete sentences.

  1. You should beware _____.
    • a. about which game was better
    • b. of the hole in the bridge
    • c. for talking during the test
    • d. was the reason for the bad smell
    • e. about how good she is at sports
    • f. of the sick man's health
    • g. took an hour more to drive
    • h. fear that his home would be damaged
    • i. from her left hand to her right
    • j. is listening to music
  2. My favorite pastime _____.
    • a. about which game was better
    • b. of the hole in the bridge
    • c. for talking during the test
    • d. was the reason for the bad smell
    • e. about how good she is at sports
    • f. of the sick man's health
    • g. took an hour more to drive
    • h. fear that his home would be damaged
    • i. from her left hand to her right
    • j. is listening to music
  3. The doctor did a thorough check _____.
    • a. about which game was better
    • b. of the hole in the bridge
    • c. for talking during the test
    • d. was the reason for the bad smell
    • e. about how good she is at sports
    • f. of the sick man's health
    • g. took an hour more to drive
    • h. fear that his home would be damaged
    • i. from her left hand to her right
    • j. is listening to music
  4. The two friends disagreed _____.
    • a. about which game was better
    • b. of the hole in the bridge
    • c. for talking during the test
    • d. was the reason for the bad smell
    • e. about how good she is at sports
    • f. of the sick man's health
    • g. took an hour more to drive
    • h. fear that his home would be damaged
    • i. from her left hand to her right
    • j. is listening to music
  5. She switched the bag _____.
    • a. about which game was better
    • b. of the hole in the bridge
    • c. for talking during the test
    • d. was the reason for the bad smell
    • e. about how good she is at sports
    • f. of the sick man's health
    • g. took an hour more to drive
    • h. fear that his home would be damaged
    • i. from her left hand to her right
    • j. is listening to music
  6. His proud sister brags _____.
    • a. about which game was better
    • b. of the hole in the bridge
    • c. for talking during the test
    • d. was the reason for the bad smell
    • e. about how good she is at sports
    • f. of the sick man's health
    • g. took an hour more to drive
    • h. fear that his home would be damaged
    • i. from her left hand to her right
    • j. is listening to music
  7. An immense pile of garbage _____.
    • a. about which game was better
    • b. of the hole in the bridge
    • c. for talking during the test
    • d. was the reason for the bad smell
    • e. about how good she is at sports
    • f. of the sick man's health
    • g. took an hour more to drive
    • h. fear that his home would be damaged
    • i. from her left hand to her right
    • j. is listening to music
  8. The indirect route _____.
    • a. about which game was better
    • b. of the hole in the bridge
    • c. for talking during the test
    • d. was the reason for the bad smell
    • e. about how good she is at sports
    • f. of the sick man's health
    • g. took an hour more to drive
    • h. fear that his home would be damaged
    • i. from her left hand to her right
    • j. is listening to music
  9. The awesome storm caused _____.
    • a. about which game was better
    • b. of the hole in the bridge
    • c. for talking during the test
    • d. was the reason for the bad smell
    • e. about how good she is at sports
    • f. of the sick man's health
    • g. took an hour more to drive
    • h. fear that his home would be damaged
    • i. from her left hand to her right
    • j. is listening to music
  10. She admonished the student _____.
    • a. about which game was better
    • b. of the hole in the bridge
    • c. for talking during the test
    • d. was the reason for the bad smell
    • e. about how good she is at sports
    • f. of the sick man's health
    • g. took an hour more to drive
    • h. fear that his home would be damaged
    • i. from her left hand to her right
    • j. is listening to music

 

C ‣ Match the clauses to make complete sentences.

  1. He couldn't sleep at night _____.
    • a. and it led to her eventual illness
    • b. because they gave him so many hints
    • c. if they wanted to get a perfect grade
    • d. but he was conscious of the other boats
    • e. because bad dreams tormented him
    • f. then people might think you're an idiot
    • g. but it was just the echo of her voice
    • h. because there weren't any other options
    • i. so he could pinpoint his location in the wild
    • j. because the sound of the bone breaking was audible
  2. We knew he broke his leg when he fell _____.
    • a. and it led to her eventual illness
    • b. because they gave him so many hints
    • c. if they wanted to get a perfect grade
    • d. but he was conscious of the other boats
    • e. because bad dreams tormented him
    • f. then people might think you're an idiot
    • g. but it was just the echo of her voice
    • h. because there weren't any other options
    • i. so he could pinpoint his location in the wild
    • j. because the sound of the bone breaking was audible
  3. He had to have the blue car _____.
    • a. and it led to her eventual illness
    • b. because they gave him so many hints
    • c. if they wanted to get a perfect grade
    • d. but he was conscious of the other boats
    • e. because bad dreams tormented him
    • f. then people might think you're an idiot
    • g. but it was just the echo of her voice
    • h. because there weren't any other options
    • i. so he could pinpoint his location in the wild
    • j. because the sound of the bone breaking was audible
  4. The hiker always carried a compass and map, _____.
    • a. and it led to her eventual illness
    • b. because they gave him so many hints
    • c. if they wanted to get a perfect grade
    • d. but he was conscious of the other boats
    • e. because bad dreams tormented him
    • f. then people might think you're an idiot
    • g. but it was just the echo of her voice
    • h. because there weren't any other options
    • i. so he could pinpoint his location in the wild
    • j. because the sound of the bone breaking was audible
  5. She didn't eat good food and didn't exercise, _____.
    • a. and it led to her eventual illness
    • b. because they gave him so many hints
    • c. if they wanted to get a perfect grade
    • d. but he was conscious of the other boats
    • e. because bad dreams tormented him
    • f. then people might think you're an idiot
    • g. but it was just the echo of her voice
    • h. because there weren't any other options
    • i. so he could pinpoint his location in the wild
    • j. because the sound of the bone breaking was audible
  6. The students had to answer all the questions correctly _____.
    • a. and it led to her eventual illness
    • b. because they gave him so many hints
    • c. if they wanted to get a perfect grade
    • d. but he was conscious of the other boats
    • e. because bad dreams tormented him
    • f. then people might think you're an idiot
    • g. but it was just the echo of her voice
    • h. because there weren't any other options
    • i. so he could pinpoint his location in the wild
    • j. because the sound of the bone breaking was audible
  7. The captain did not see the ship approaching behind him, _____.
    • a. and it led to her eventual illness
    • b. because they gave him so many hints
    • c. if they wanted to get a perfect grade
    • d. but he was conscious of the other boats
    • e. because bad dreams tormented him
    • f. then people might think you're an idiot
    • g. but it was just the echo of her voice
    • h. because there weren't any other options
    • i. so he could pinpoint his location in the wild
    • j. because the sound of the bone breaking was audible
  8. She thought someone was calling to her from the other cliff, _____.
    • a. and it led to her eventual illness
    • b. because they gave him so many hints
    • c. if they wanted to get a perfect grade
    • d. but he was conscious of the other boats
    • e. because bad dreams tormented him
    • f. then people might think you're an idiot
    • g. but it was just the echo of her voice
    • h. because there weren't any other options
    • i. so he could pinpoint his location in the wild
    • j. because the sound of the bone breaking was audible
  9. He knew his friends were having a surprise party for him _____.
    • a. and it led to her eventual illness
    • b. because they gave him so many hints
    • c. if they wanted to get a perfect grade
    • d. but he was conscious of the other boats
    • e. because bad dreams tormented him
    • f. then people might think you're an idiot
    • g. but it was just the echo of her voice
    • h. because there weren't any other options
    • i. so he could pinpoint his location in the wild
    • j. because the sound of the bone breaking was audible
  10. If you can't tie your own shoes by the time you're twelve years old _____.
    • a. and it led to her eventual illness
    • b. because they gave him so many hints
    • c. if they wanted to get a perfect grade
    • d. but he was conscious of the other boats
    • e. because bad dreams tormented him
    • f. then people might think you're an idiot
    • g. but it was just the echo of her voice
    • h. because there weren't any other options
    • i. so he could pinpoint his location in the wild
    • j. because the sound of the bone breaking was audible

 

The Young Man and the Old Man

A proud young man was looking for a new pastime. He heard about people hiking in the national parks and decided to try it for himself. As he started his stroll, an old man walked up to him.

"Don't go this way," the old man said. "Beware. The paths are not clear. It's easy to get lost."

But the young man disagreed with the old man and bragged that he had a perfect understanding of the park. "I've studied maps of this area," he told him. "I believe I have a thorough knowledge of these trails. I won't get lost."

The old man listened to the young man and then admonished him for his pride.

"I have walked these trails my entire life," he said. "If you think you will be safe, then go ahead."

The young man ignored the old man and started along the trail.

Whenever he had to choose between an easy or difficult route, he always chose the more difficult option. In addition, he was not conscious of which direction he was going. After a while, he decided to return home. Because his course through the wilderness was so indirect, he had no idea where he was.

He looked at his map but could not pinpoint his location. He walked one path after another but soon realized he was lost.

The sun was going down, and sudden strong winds gave a hint that it might rain. Immense clouds filled the sky. Awesome sounds of thunder were audible from all directions. They echoed off the mountains. The thought of the eventual storm tormented the young man. He hurried in one direction but soon switched out of confusion. Luckily, the path led him out of the park.

When he arrived home, he knew that he had acted like an idiot. He realized he was lucky to be alive. He decided to listen to people with more experience than himself.

 

Reading Comprehension

Part A: Mark each statement T for true or F for false. Rewrite the false statements to make them true.

  1. _____ The young man decided to hike in the national parks.
    __________
  2. _____ The young man disagreed with the old man.
    __________
  3. _____ The young man believed that his knowledge of the park's trails was thorough.
    __________
  4. _____ When the young man had an option of two trails, he always chose the easier one.
    __________
  5. _____ The young man was tormented by the thought of the eventual storm.
    __________
  6. _____ When the young man got home, he knew that the old man had acted like an idiot.
    __________

 

Part B: Answer the questions.

  1. What is the passage about?
    • a. Listening to others' advice
    • b. Traveling in forests
    • c. Seeking shelter in storms
    • d. Making paths in a forest
  2. Why did the old man admonish the young man?
    _____
  3. Why did the young man become lost?
    _____

 

Answer Key

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