Self-Assessment Tests

 Once upon a time (1) a rich man was sick. His doctor told him to go away to the mountains (2) for a rest and a change of air. He went home and told his family the doctor (3) had said. He said that while he was away he was (4) not to be sent letters or telegrams, or (5) anything which might worry him. And so he went to Switzerland and stayed there for about two months. He came back feeling very (6) much better and looking (7) forward to seeing his family again. His secretary was waiting for him at the airport. (8) He greeted her, saying:

Hallo, Mary. What's new?

Oh, there's nothing new, sir. Everything's just about as (9) it always was.

You mean (10) nothing has happened at all?

No, sir. Not really.

But what's happened to the family? Surely they have been up to (11) something?

No, sir. Nothing. It's been very quiet (12) since your Great Dane died.

Oh, my dog's dead. How (13) did that happen?

He ate the burnt beef, sir.

(14) Where did he get the burnt beef from?

The farm burnt (15) down, and the cows in the barn were burnt, and the dog ate the burnt beef.

Oh, the farm's destroyed, then?

Yes, sir. It caught fire when the fire spread (16) from the house.

The house is destroyed?

Yes, sir. It caught fire from all the candles (17) that (which) were burning.

(18) Why were the candles burning?

They were burning round the body, sir.

What body? (19) Who is dead?

Your mother-in-law, sir.

And how did she die?

It was the shock, sir. She couldn't believe (20) it when your wife ran off with the gardener. But, apart from that, there's nothing new.