Tom and the Fence Tom behaved very badly the whole week. Aunt Polly decided to punish him. On Saturday all the boys were free. They could play and run about in the street. But Aunt Polly asked Tom to whitewash the fence.
Tom did not like that work. He began it almost in tears. But soon Tom thought of a plan. He pretended that it was very interesting and pleasant to whitewash the fence. And all the boys wanted to whitewash the fence, too. Soon the boys did all the work instead of Tom.
Tom went into the house to speak to Aunt Polly.
"May I go and play now, Aunt?" he said.
"What? So soon? How much have you done?" asked Aunt Polly.
"All the fence, Aunt," answered Tom.
Aunt Polly went out to see for herself. She did not think that it was the truth. But when she saw the fence white and clean, she was very much surprised.
"Oh, Tom," she said at last. "You can work when you want to. Well, now you may play."
Aunt Polly was very happy to see his good work. She took Tom to the kitchen and gave him a large apple.
LISTENING COMPREHENSION VARIANT 91 1. Listen to the text and decide if the statements are true or false. Tom behaved very badly the whole week.
On Saturday all the boys were busy.
Aunt Polly asked Tom to whitewash the fence.
Tom did not like that work.
Soon the boys did all the work instead of Tom.
Tom went into the house to speak to his friends.
He asked her if he could stay at home.
After Tom had done all the work Aunt Polly was very much surprised.
Aunt Polly was very happy to see his good work.
Aunt Polly took Tom to the kitchen and gave him a large pear.
2. Choose the correct answer to complete the sentences. 1. Tom behaved himself very badly …
a) the whole month b) the whole year c) the whole week
2. Aunt Polly decided …
a) to punish him b) to kiss him c) to hug him
3. The boys could play and run about…
a) in the yard b) in the street c) on the playground
4. Aunt Polly asked Tom to…
a) close the door b) repair the window c) whitewash the fence
5. Soon the boys did all the work instead of…
a) Aunt Polly b) Tom c) Tom's mother
6. Tom thought of…
a) a plan b) a conclusion c) an answer
7. Tom went into the house to speak to…
a) his friends b) his mother c) Aunt Polly
8. After Aunt Polly saw the fence white and clean she was…
a) very angry b) very surprised c) very unhappy
9. Aunt Polly was very happy to see his …
a) bad work b) clean work c) good work
10. She took Tom to the kitchen and gave him…
a) an apple b) a pear c) a peach
