Comprehension reading

 WEEK 8

Tom and the Poachers

It was a clear, still night, and the moon shone brightly through the water that Tom could not sleep.

Suddenly, he saw a beautiful sight. A bright red light moved along the river-side, and threw down into the water a long flame. Tom, curious little rogue, must needs go and see what it is; so he swam to the shore. And there, underneath the light, lay five or six great salmon, looking up at the flame with their great goggle eyes, and wagging their tails, as if they were pleased at it.

Tom came to the top to look at this wonderful light nearer, and made a splash. And he heard a voice say: “There was a fish rose.”

He did not know what the words meant: but he seemed to know the sound of them, and the voice which spake them: and he saw on the bank three great two-legged creatures, one of whom held the light, and another a long pole.

 Tom felt that there was danger coming and longed to warn the foolish salmon, who kept staring up at the light. But before he could make up his mind, down came the pole through the water. There was a fearful splash and a struggle, and Tom saw that a poor salmon was speared right through, and was lifted out of the water.

COMPREHENSION PASSAGES

classwork Answer all questions

If your at home You can answer and give to your parents.

1 Why was Tom unable to sleep that night?

2 What was the beautiful sight that Tom saw. ?

3 What did Tom do when he saw it?

4 What did Tom see underneath the light?

5 Why did Tom rise to the surface of the water?