A Very Silly Cat

Контроль навыков аудирования

A Silly Cat

When a cat is young, he catches many mice. The mice are afraid of him then. But then he grows old and cannot catch mice any more.

One day he decides to play a trick on the mice. He lies on his back and does not move at all. A mouse sees him and thinks he is dead. She runs to her friends and says, 'The cat is dead! Let us dance and play!'

And all the mice begin to dance and play. They are very happy. They dance round the cat, and the cat does not move. Then one of the mice jumps on the cat's head.

'Look at me! Come nearer, all of you! The bad cat is dead! Let us dance on his head!'

But suddenly the cat jumps up and catches the silly mouse. The other mice run away as quickly as they can.

Mice! Don't forget!

Never believe a cat!

Words and Phrases

catch — ловить

to be afraid of — бояться

to grow old — становиться старым

to play a trick on — сыграть шутку с

lies on his back — лежит на спине

to move — двигаться

is dead — мертв

to jump on / jump up — прыгать на / вскакивать

to come nearer — подходить поближе

silly — глупый

to run away — убегать

to forget — забывать

to believe — верить

Choose the correct answers:

1) Why can't the cat catch mice any more? a) Because he grows old. b) Because he is very young. c) Because he doesn't like mice.

2) Why does the cat lie on his back and doesn't move? a) Because he decides to play a trick on the mice. b) Because he is dead. c) Because he sleeps.

3) Why are the mice happy? a) Because they dance and play. b) Because they think the cat is dead. c) Because the cat is dead.

Complete the sentences:

a) When the cat is young, he………….. many mice.

b) He cannot catch mice when he………….. old.

c) One day he decides to play a……………… on the mice.

d) A mouse sees him and thinks he is…………….. .

e) The mice dance and dance round the cat, and the cat does not………….. .

f) Suddenly he………….. up and catches the………… mouse.

True or False:

a) The mice are afraid of a hen.

b) The cat lies on his back and doesn't move.

c) The mouse says, The cat is dead! Let us have dinner!'

d) The mice begin to sing songs and run round the cat.

e) One of the mice jumps on the cat's head.

f) The cat jumps up and catches all the mice.

g) Only one mouse can run away.

h) The cat is sly but the mice are silly.