By Elimu Assistant Team 
English Comprehension Q and A Form 3
Read the story below and then answer the questions that follow:Hare, the cleverest and funniest of all animals, was once in good terms with Elephant and Hippo. He knew very well that he was weaker than his mighty friends, yet oddly enough he was always seeking ways of showing that he was, in fact much stronger than them.
While drinking at the lake shore one day, he met Hippo, “How are you brother, you big-for-nothing brute?” he began. “I’ve been waiting for a long time to prove how much stronger than you I am. It’s time you recognized your betters and gave me the respect I deserve.”
“What!” Hippo retorted, unable to believe his ears, “do you really dare to address me like that, you worthless little creature? Have you forgotten I’m the biggest and strongest of all the water creatures?’
Hare’s reply was deliciously cool. “You may well be,” he said, I’m the strongest of all animals, wherever they live; and from now on you remember it. If you want to see how weak you are, let’s meet here in three days’ time and try a little tug-of-war. I promise you I will haul you clean out of the lake into the forest.” Such imprudence infuriated Hippo.
“Stop this idle prattle” he retorted.”Go home and eat a few years. You will need to before you start dreaming of pulling me from the take.”
And so they parted. Now as it happened, Hare, as yet, had no idea how he could outwit Hippo. He spent the remainder of the day deep in thought. By late afternoon the rather obvious idea of trying one end of the rope to a tree-trunk was taking root in mind when suddenly his friend Elephant appeared. His mind raced like the wind. “Hello, you long-eared oaf!” he shouted. Why on earth do you keep swinging your snout like that?”
Elephant was not amused. He replied in a rather hurt tone.”What’s wrong with you today, Hare?” he asked. “Have you taken leave of your senses? You sound like someone who’s never slept a night in his grandfather’s house. Have you forgotten how to respect your elders?” Hare pretended that he had not heard, “You stump-footed fool!” he roared. Don’t talk such nonsense. It’s you who should recognize your betters and one day I’ll teach you how.”
Elephant was growing weary. “Look I’m busy today,” he said, run along and find a child to play with-someone like yourself.”
Hare pushed out his tiny chest, quite swollen with self-confidence. “All right” he showed, I’ll offer you a challenge. Come here in three days and I’ll prove I’m stronger than you by dragging that great canvass of yours out of the forest and into the lake. “And without more ado, he turned on his heels and bounced off into the forest.
Three days later, hare took the longest rope he could find and ran to the shore to find Hippo. He gave his friend one end, saying, “Here, catch this and hold tight. Do nothing until you hear a horn blowing: then pull as hard as you can. “Taking the rope, Hippo sank back complacently into the water, his eyes twinkling merrily on the surface of the lake. The rope’s other end Hare carried to elephant who, reliable and punctual as ever, was waiting in the forest. Raising his voice to his huge friend, Hare shouted, “Hold this and stay put. Don’t pull until you hear a horn blowing. Now I’m off to drag you into the lake.”
And away he sped, hiding himself in a clump of bushes where he enjoyed a clear view of both animals. In the forest, Elephant waited patiently; in the lake Hippo smiled to himself, convinced in his heart that it was all just a bad joke. Hare now blew his horn, and with a crashing of trees and wild cascading of water, the colossal beasts began their tug-of-war. Hour upon hour the struggle went on, forest and shore echoing to the noise of their furious grunting and trumpeting. At last seeing his friends reducing to complete exhaustion, Hare again blew the horn and told them to stop.
Then quickly rolling in the dust, he ran down to the shore and addressed himself to Hippo. “Brother,” he began, “I hope you now realize your mistake. You see, I’m not only clever but remarkably strong as well. From now on perhaps you’ll respect me. They shook hands and parted. Hare leaving his friend to go to Elephant. “Well, you wouldn’t believe me,” he said, speaking boldly to Elephant, “Now you’ve learnt your lesson. You may be as big as a mountain, but basically you’re a weakling.” Puzzled and dumbfounded, Elephant shook his head, and after reluctantly shaking hands, lumbered away into the forest.
Questions
(a) From the first paragraph, how can we tell that Hare was not contented with his state? (2mks)
(b) From the information in paragraph 5, explain Hippo’s attitude towards hare. (3mks)
(c) Rewrite the following sentence in your own words:
“Now as it happened, Hare, as yet had no idea how he could outwit Hippo” (1mk)
(d) In about forty words, summarize Elephant’s feelings about Hare. (3mks)
(e) Both Hippo and Elephant do what Hare says. What does this prove? (3mks)
(f) Categorize this narrative. (2mks)
(g) Give a proverb to summarize this narrative. (2mks)
(h) Explain the meaning of the following expressions as they are used in the story:
(i) Imprudence – (1mk
(ii) Taking root – (1mk)
(iii) Lumbered – (1mk)
(iv) Dumpfounded – (1mk)
