Listening Comprehension Test
For 5th form students
A Happy Man
Many years ago there lived a king. He was very rich and he had everything he wanted. His country was strong and famous, but the king was not happy. So one day he went to a wise old man and asked him how to become happy. The wise man listened to him and then said, “There is very little happiness in this world, but I know the way to find it.”
“Show me the way to find it, then,” said the king.
“It’s very easy,” answered the old man. “You have only to put on the shirt of a happy man.”
The king thanked the old man and began to look for a happy man. He visited most of the capitals of the world. He met kings, barons and other aristocrats, but they were not happy.
At last he came back to his own country. One day, he saw a poor farmer working in a field. He was singing and there was a happy look on his face. The king went up to the farmer and said, “My good man, are you happy?” “Very happy,” answered the farmer. “Well, then,” said the king, “sell me your shirt.”
“My shirt?” said the farmer in surprise. “I haven’t got a shirt. I hope to buy a shirt soon, but I am happy.”
Task 1. Mark the following sentences as TRUE (T) or FALSE (F).
1. Many years ago there lived a queen.
2. The country was powerful and famous.
3. The king was strong.
4. The king went to an old wise woman.
5. “It’s not very easy to become happy,” said the old man.
6. One day he saw a poor farmer.
7. The farmer was working in a field.
8. “I have a very beautiful shirt,” said the farmer.
Task 2. For sentences (1—8) choose and circle the correct answer (a, b or c ).
1. There lived …
a) a queen b) a king c) an old man
2. The king asked a wise old man how….
a) to become powerful b) to become strong c) to become happy
3. The wise man listened to the king and then said, “There is …. happiness in this world”.
a) very little b) a lot of c) more
4. The king had to put on … of a happy man.
a) the skirt b) the T-shirt c) the shirt
5. The king visited many … of the world.
a) villages b) towns c) capitals
6. The king met a lot of …
a) poor people b) rich people c) unhappy people
7. At last the king … his own country.
a) returned to b) visited c) left
8. The king said to the poor man “…..”
a) give me your shirt b) send me your shirt c) sell me your shirt
