Edunes Online Education
BOARD: CBSE and AHSEC (ASSAM)
CLASS: 7 English: Three Questions
Comprehension Check (Section I)
1. Why did the king want to know answers to three questions?
The king wanted to know the answers to his three questions because he believed that if he knew these things, he would never fail in any of his endeavors.
2. Messengers were sent throughout the kingdom...
- to fetch wise man
- to find answers to the questions
- to look for the wise hermit
- to announce the reward for those who could answer the questions
The correct choice is (iv) to announce a reward for those who could answer the questions.
Comprehension Check (Section II)
Sentence Completion
Based on the provided options in the box, here are the completed sentences:
- Many wise men answered the king’s questions, but their answers were so varied that the king was not satisfied.
- Someone suggested that there should be a council of wise men to help the king act at the right time.
- Someone else suggested that the king should have a timetable and follow it strictly.
- The king requested the hermit to answer three questions.
- The king washed and dressed the bearded man’s wound, but the bleeding would not stop.
Direct Questions
5. How did the king and the hermit help the wounded man?
The king washed and covered the wound with his handkerchief, and when the blood continued to flow, he re-dressed the wound until the bleeding finally stopped. He also provided fresh water for the man to drink. With the hermit's assistance, the king carried the man into the hut and laid him on the bed to rest.
6. (i) Who was the bearded man?
The bearded man was an enemy of the king who had planned to kill him to seek revenge for the king putting his brother to death and seizing his property.
6. (ii) Why did he ask for the king’s forgiveness?
He asked for forgiveness because, despite his intention to kill the king, the king had saved his life by treating his wounds after he was attacked by the king's bodyguards.
7. The king forgave the bearded man. What did he do to show his forgiveness?
To show his forgiveness, the king promised to send his own servants and doctor to care for the man and pledged to give back the man's property.
8. What were the hermit’s answers to the three questions?
- The most important time: The hermit explained that there is only one important time, which is "Now," because it is the only time we have the power to act.
- The most necessary person: The most necessary person is the one you are with at a particular moment, as the future is uncertain.
- The most important business: The most important business is to do that person good, because that is the sole purpose for which humans were sent into this world.
9. What are the three questions the king asked?
The three questions the king believed he needed to answer in order to never fail are as follows:
- What is the right time to begin something? (Also phrased as "How can I learn to do the right thing at the right time?")
- Which people should he listen to? (Also phrased as "Who are the people I need most?")
- What is the most important thing for him to do? (Also phrased as "What affairs are the most important?")
The king decided to consult a hermit because the answers he received from various wise men were so different and conflicting that he was not satisfied. Because he found their advice unconvincing, he chose not to give any of them the promised reward. Instead, he sought out a specific hermit who was widely known for his wisdom to find the definitive answers to his three questions.
11. What different answers did the wise men give for the first question?
In response to the king's first question—"What is the right time to begin something?"—the wise men offered several different and often conflicting suggestions:
- Follow a Strict Timetable: Some suggested the king should prepare a timetable and follow it strictly, believing this was the only way he could ensure everything was done at its proper time.
- Constant Observation: Others argued it was impossible to decide the right time in advance. Instead, they advised the king to notice everything going on around him, avoid foolish pleasures, and always do whatever seemed necessary at that particular moment.
- Appoint a Council: Another group suggested the king should have a council of wise men to help him. They reasoned that one man alone would find it impossible to decide the correct time for every action without help from others.
- Consult Magicians: Some countered the council idea by noting that certain matters might be too urgent to wait for a council's decision. They argued that knowing the right time requires looking into the future, a feat only magicians could perform; therefore, the king would need to consult them.
Because these answers were so varied, the king was not satisfied and chose not to give any reward, eventually deciding to seek advice from a hermit instead.
This worksheet is based on the story "Three Questions" by Leo Tolstoy
Instructions: Choose the most appropriate option for each question based on the story.
-
What was the king’s primary reason for seeking answers to the three questions?
(a) To become the wealthiest king.
(b) To ensure he would never fail.
(c) To win a bet with a neighboring ruler.
(d) To write a book of wisdom.
-
What reward did the king promise to the person who could answer his questions?
(a) A plot of land.
(b) A position as a councillor.
(c) A large sum of money.
(d) His royal crown.
-
To decide the "right time" for every action, some wise men suggested the king should:
(a) Consult a timetable and follow it strictly.
(b) Ask his soldiers for advice.
(c) Wait for a sign from the heavens.
(d) Always stay in his palace.
-
Why did some people suggest the king should go to magicians?
(a) To learn how to perform tricks.
(b) To look into the future and know the right time.
(c) To protect him from his enemies.
(d) To heal the sick in his kingdom.
-
In response to the second question, who did some say were the most necessary people to the king?
(a) Merchants and traders.
(b) His family members.
(c) Councillors, priests, doctors, or soldiers.
(d) The farmers of the land.
-
What were some of the suggestions for the "most important thing to do" (the third question)?
(a) Building monuments.
(b) Science, fighting, and religious worship.
(c) Traveling the world.
(d) Hunting in the woods.
-
Why was the king not satisfied with the answers provided by the wise men?
(a) They were too long and confusing.
(b) The answers were all so different.
(c) He thought they were lying to him.
(d) They demanded the reward before answering.
-
The hermit the king decided to consult was known for his:
(a) Great wealth.
(b) Large army.
(c) Wisdom.
(d) Magical powers.
-
How did the king dress before meeting the hermit?
(a) In his finest royal robes.
(b) In a suit of armor.
(c) In ordinary clothes.
(d) Like a traveling merchant.
-
What was the hermit doing when the king arrived at his hut?
(a) Sleeping under a tree.
(b) Digging the ground in front of his hut.
(c) Eating a simple meal.
(d) Reading a large book.
-
Why did the king offer to take the spade from the hermit?
(a) He wanted to show off his strength.
(b) He saw that the hermit was old and tired.
(c) He wanted to dig for buried treasure.
(d) The hermit ordered him to do so.
-
Who was the "bearded man" who came running out of the woods?
(a) A messenger from the palace.
(b) An enemy of the king seeking revenge.
(c) The hermit's long-lost brother.
(d) A common thief.
-
How did the bearded man get wounded?
(a) He tripped and fell on his spade.
(b) He was attacked by a wild animal.
(c) He was recognized and wounded by the king’s bodyguard.
(d) The hermit attacked him.
-
What did the king use to wash and cover the man’s wound?
(a) A piece of his ordinary clothes.
(b) A leaf from a medicinal plant.
(c) His handkerchief.
(d) The hermit’s old shirt.
-
Why did the bearded man ask for the king’s forgiveness?
(a) Because he had stolen from the hermit.
(b) Because the king had saved his life despite his intent to kill him.
(c) Because he had lied about his identity.
(d) Because he wanted the king's money.
-
How did the king show his forgiveness to the bearded man?
(a) He gave him a chest of gold.
(b) He promised to return his property and send his own doctor.
(c) He made him a general in his army.
(d) He invited him to live in the palace.
-
According to the hermit, what is the most important time?
(a) The past, so we can learn from it.
(b) The future, so we can prepare for it.
(c) "Now," because it is the only time we have the power to act.
(d) Sunset, when the day's work is done.
-
Who is the "most necessary person" at any given moment?
(a) The king or a ruler.
(b) A wise hermit.
(c) The person you are with at that particular moment.
(d) Your oldest friend.
-
What is our most important business in this world?
(a) To gain as much knowledge as possible.
(b) To do good for the person we are with.
(c) To build a strong and powerful kingdom.
(d) To seek answers to life's mysteries.
-
If the king had not stayed to help the hermit dig the beds, what would have happened?
(a) He would have missed his dinner.
(b) He would have been attacked by his enemy on the way home.
(c) The hermit would have never spoken to him.
(d) He would have found the answers from someone else.
Here are the answers for the 20-question MCQ worksheet based on the story:
- (b) To ensure he would never fail.
- (c) A large sum of money.
- (a) Consult a timetable and follow it strictly.
- (b) To look into the future and know the right time.
- (c) Councillors, priests, doctors, or soldiers.
- (b) Science, fighting, and religious worship.
- (b) The answers were all so different.
- (c) Wisdom.
- (c) In ordinary clothes.
- (b) Digging the ground in front of his hut.
- (b) He saw that the hermit was old and tired.
- (b) An enemy of the king seeking revenge.
- (c) He was recognized and wounded by the king’s bodyguard.
- (c) His handkerchief.
- (b) Because the king had saved his life despite his intent to kill him.
- (b) He promised to return his property and send his own doctor.
- (c) "Now," because it is the only time we have the power to act.
- (c) The person you are with at that particular moment.
- (b) To do good for the person we are with.
- (b) He would have been attacked by his enemy on the way home.
