Available Answers

1. 1.

   Read the sentences in italics and tick the correct options. More than one option could be correct.

   1. Vasily came quite close. He was very pale, as white as chalk, and his eyes had a wild look.
      1. Vasily was scated as he was about to meet the Chief.
      2. Vasily was upset about the meeting that he had with the Chief.
      3. Vasily was tense as he was in a hurry to leave for Moscow.
   2. "We will put the rail back; no one will know. Come back! Save your soul from sin!"
      1. Semyon said this to Vasily as he wanted to stop Vasily from making a big mistake.
      2. Semyon said this to Vasily as he didn't want Vasily to go to Moscow.
      3. Semyon said this so that he and Vasily could repair the broken rail.
   3. "Bind me, I tore up a rail!"
      1. Vasily felt sorry for what he had done and took responsibility for his action.
      2. Vasily was sorry to have broken the rail during the inquiry.
      3. Vasily wanted the attention of the head office in Moscow.
2. 2.

   Complete these sentences in your own words.

   1. Semyon knew that Vasily was going somewhere because _________________.
   2. Vasily was going to Moscow to ______________________________________.
   3. Semyon knew it was six o'clock because ______________________________.
   4. Instead of running to his hut, Semyon turned back because ________________.
   5. Semyon thought that he wouldn't be able to keep standing up because _______.
   6. The train engineer stopped the train when ______________________________.
3. 3.

   What did Vasily look like when Semyon met him during his rounds? What had happened?

4. 4.

   Where did Semyon collect sticks from, and what did he do with them?

5. 5.

   Why was Vasily squatting on the line? What was his plan?

6. 6.

   Why did Semyon start running towards his hut?