Nasreddin and the Beggar: Reading Comprehension

Read the story and answer the questions.

Click on the box beside the correct answer.

Nasreddin and the Beggar





One day, Nasreddin was up on the roof of his house, mending a hole in the tiles. He had nearly finished, and he was pleased with his work. Suddenly, he heard a voice below call "Hello!" When he looked down, Nasreddin saw an old man in dirty clothes standing below.

"What do you want?" asked Nasreddin.

"Come down and I'll tell you," called the man.

Nasreddin was annoyed, but he was a polite man, so he put down his tools. Carefully, he climbed all the way down to the ground.

"What do you want?" he asked, when he reached the ground.

"Could you spare a little money for an old beggar?" asked the old man. Nasreddin thought for a minute.

Then he said, "Come with me." He began climbing the ladder again. The old man followed him all the way to the top. When they were both sitting on the roof, Nasreddin turned to the beggar.

"No," he said.

Credits:

Story retold by Martin Holmes based on Nasreddin Hodja folktales
Audio version performed by Cam Culham, English Language Centre







  1. Why was Nasreddin on the roof of his house?
    1.   He was looking at the view.
    2.   He was waiting for the old man.
    3.   He was fixing the roof.
  2. Who was the old man?
    1.   a beggar
    2.   Nasreddin's friend
    3.   a roof-mender
  3. Why was Nasreddin angry?
    1.   It was a hot day.
    2.   He knew the beggar only wanted money.
    3.   It was a long way to go down the ladder.
  4. Why did Nasreddin go down the ladder?
    1.   He wanted to get away from his work.
    2.   Because the beggar asked him to.
    3.   He wanted to speak to the beggar.
  5. Why did Nasreddin make the beggar climb up the ladder?
    1.   He wanted to show him the view from the roof.
    2.   He wanted to get his revenge on the beggar.
    3.   He wanted the beggar to help him fix the roof.