Reading Comprehension

READING COMPREHENSION

      TIME TO FISH

a middle-man - посередник

profit – прибуток

A rich businessman was on holiday in Mexico when a small fishing boat docked nearby with just one man onboard. Inside the boat were several large tasty-looking fish.

“ That’s quite a fine catch” noted the businessman. “How long did it take you to pull those in?

“ Only a little while”, said the fisherman.

“So why don’t you stay out fishing longer and catch more fish? “ said the rich man.

“ This is enough for my family”, replied the fisherman.

“But what do you do with the rest of your time?” asked the businessman.

The fisherman said, “ I sleep late, I fish a little, I spend time with my wife and play with my children. Then I rest in the afternoon. In the evening I visit the rest of my family or meet my friends for a cup of coffee. I have a full and busy life.”

The rich man smiled ironically. “ I have a business degree from one of the best universities in the world. I can help you. If you spend more time fishing, you can buy a bigger boat with the money you make. With the profits from the bigger boat you could buy several more boats until you have hundreds of them. Then instead of selling fish to a middle-man you could sell the fish directly to the factory. Finally, you can set up your own company and become a wealthy business owner.

Of course, you would have to leave this village by the sea where you live and move to the capital and maybe to another country to manage your business”

“ How long would all that take?” the fisherman wanted to know.

“ Oh, at least 15 years”, replied the businessman.

“ But what then?” asked the fisherman with interest.

The businessman laughed and said,” That’s the best part. When the time is right, you can sell your company . You would become very rich. You could make millions.”

“ Millions!” exclaimed the fisherman,” Then what?”

“ Then you may retire to a little village by the sea”, said the businessman, “ where you could sleep late, fish a little, spend time with your wife, play with your kids, then rest in the afternoon. In the evening you could walk in the village and have a cup of coffee with your friends. You see how wonderful things would be!”

Task 1

Decide if the statements are false or true:

1. The story took place by the beach in Mexico.

2. The fisherman got a fine catch.

3. The businessman stayed out fishing with the fisherman.

4. The fisherman caught enough fish for the needs of his family.

5. The businessman talked to the fisherman with respect.

6. If the fisherman had a goal to become very rich he could really succeed.

7. The fisherman seemed to be interested in the businessman’s advice.

8. The fisherman was indifferent to what would happen after he became a millionaire.

9. The businessman actually advised the fisherman to follow all the steps in reverse order.

10. Finally the fisherman could go fishing again but as a retired millionaire.

Task 2

Choose the best answer to complete the sentences:

11. A rich businessman was:

12. There were … in the boat.

13. It took the fisherman …. to pull those fish.

14. The businessman suggested that the fisherman …

15. What didn’t the fisherman do for the rest of the day?

16. The fisherman had …..

17. The businessman wanted …

    18. If the fisherman followed the businessman’s advice, he could…

     19. It will take the fisherman …. to have everything described by the businessman.

   20. What can a reader learn from this story?