Worksheet A

Name: Date:
Surname:
The Tinder-Box (by Andersen)
SOLDIER came marching along the high road: “Left, right—left, right.” He had
his knapsack on his back, and a sword at his side; he had been to the wars, and
was now returning home.
As he walked on, he met a very frightful-looking old witch in the road. Her
under-lip hung quite down on her breast, and she stopped and said, “Good
evening, soldier; you have a very fine sword, and a large knapsack, and you are a
real soldier; so you shall have as much money as ever you like.”
“Thank you, old witch,” said the soldier.
“Do you see that large tree,” said the witch, pointing to a tree which stood
beside them. “Well, it is quite hollow inside, and you must climb to the top, when
you will see a hole, through which you can let yourself down into the tree to a
great depth. I will tie a rope round your body, so that I can pull you up again
when you call out to me.”
“But what am I to do, down there in the tree?” asked the soldier.
“Get money,” she replied; “for you must know that when you reach the
ground under the tree, you will find yourself in a large hall, lighted up by three
hundred lamps; you will then see three doors, which can be easily opened, for the
keys are in all the locks. On entering the first of the chambers, to which these
doors lead, you will see a large chest, standing in the middle of the floor, and
upon it a dog seated, with a pair of eyes as large as teacups. But you need not be
at all afraid of him; I will give you my blue checked apron, which you must spread
upon the floor, and then boldly seize hold of the dog, and place him upon it. You
can then open the chest, and take from it as many pence as you please, they are
only copper pence; but if you would rather have silver money, you must go into
the second chamber. Here you will find another dog, with eyes as big as mill-
wheels; but do not let that trouble you. Place him upon my apron, and then take
what money you please. If, however, you like gold best, enter the third chamber,
where there is another chest full of it. The dog who sits on this chest is very
dreadful; his eyes are as big as a tower, but do not mind him. If he also is placed
upon my apron, he cannot hurt you, and you may take from the chest what gold
you will.”
“This is not a bad story,” said the soldier; “but what am I to give you, you old
witch? for, of course, you do not mean to tell me all this for nothing.”
“No,” said the witch; “but I do not ask for a single penny. Only promise to
bring me an old tinder-box, which my grandmother left behind the last time she
went down there.”
 Worksheet A
Name: Date:
Surname:
I. Decide if the following sentences are true or false. If necessary read the text
once again.

1. The soldier met the witch on his way home. T/F

2. The old witch was quiet attractive. T/F
3. The witch told the soldier how to climb the tree to check if he is a real soldier. T/F
4. The witch wanted the soldier to share the money with her. T/F
5. In each chamber there is a chest full of money and a dog which guards it. T/F
6. The soldier can take only two types of money – silver and gold. T/F

II. Answer the questions.

1. What did the soldier have to do not to be attacked by the dangerous dogs?
…………………………………………………………………..
2. Where was the money in each chamber?
…………………………………………………………………..
3. How is the soldier to come back from the hole deep in the tree?
…………………………………………………………………..
4. How big are the eyes of the third dog?
…………………………………………………………………..
5. What did the witch want to get from the soldier?
…………………………………………………………………..
6. Whose eyes are as big as teacups?
…………………………………………………………………..

III. What does it mean? Check in the dictionary.

sword

to point

a rope

a chamber

an apron

checked

IV. In the text find and underline sentences with which, who, where. Read the
sentences with the relative pronouns once again. What do these words mean?

V. Complete the sentences.

 Worksheet A
Name: Date:
Surname:
We use …………. or …………..to refer to people.
We use …………….. to refer to objects.
We use ……………. to refer to places.

VI. Complete the sentences with who, which or where.

1. I’d like to meet a girl …………. is pretty and intelligent.

2. I love a boy ………….. lives next door.
3. I liked the hotel ……….. we stayed overnight yesterday.
4. That is the ring ………… gives you power over the people.
5. We went to a café ………… we first met.
6. I came across a friend …………… used to go to a swimming pool with me.
7. Could you pass me the book …………. lies on the table?
8. That is the cinema ……………. the audience destroyed the screen.

VII. There are terrible mistakes. Try to find them and correct the sentences. Be
careful! Two sentences are correct.

1. She goes out with a boy where is a football player.

2. I went to a disco who my friends always go.
3. I did homework which the teacher gave us yesterday.
4. He often buys things where he doesn’t need.
5. We invited the children where go to school with us.
6. They found the shop which there are the best strawberries.
7. He saw the girl who looked like Melanie C.

VIII.. In some of the words below there are the same sounds. Find the words
which have the same sound. / / or / /.

note, move, route, food, boat, soak, too, go, loo, low, true, moon, row, bow, soon, show

Bout loo