BACK TO WORKSHEETS
Understanding and finding evidence from a text is a key skill when studying English.
This is called comprehension and retrieval and is something you will do often.
In this activity, you will practise your skills in comprehension and in the retrieval of evidence to support your understanding.
You will be looking at this text, so read it through and get ready to answer some questions!
In the heart of a quaint country cottage, where time seems to have slowed to a gentle rhythm, an old man stands in a rustic kitchen, conjuring a humble yet comforting breakfast. His every gesture speaks of years spent in quiet companionship with the countryside and the culinary arts.
The kitchen itself is a testament to years of use and a repository of stories, with well-worn, wooden counter-tops bearing the marks of countless meals lovingly prepared. Sunlight filters through aged, floral curtains, casting a soft, golden glow over the room. The floor, made of well-polished, seasoned hardwood, creaks beneath the shuffle of his slippered feet, echoing the countless steps that have gone before.
He is dressed in a faded plaid shirt, its fabric softened by the passage of time, and well-worn trousers that bear the telltale stains and scuffs of daily life in the countryside. His slippers, comfortable yet tattered, seem to have their own tales to tell.
As he moves about the kitchen, his every step is marked by a deliberate, steady pace. His silver hair, thick and slightly dishevelled, hints at the wisdom of age. His weathered hands, gnarled from years of hard work, deftly handle utensils and ingredients, each movement a testament to a lifetime of culinary expertise.
The centrepiece of his morning ritual is an antique wood-burning stove, its iron surface bearing the patina of countless fires. A cast-iron skillet on one of the burners crackles with bacon, and the aroma fills the kitchen with a nostalgia that lingers in the air. Nearby, a vintage percolator releases a rich, earthy scent: the promise of a strong, black coffee.
The kitchen is filled with the comforting sounds of sizzling, the rhythmic bubbling of the coffee percolator, and the gentle clinking of utensils. The old man's face, etched with the lines of time, bears an expression of quiet contentment as he lovingly prepares breakfast, arranging each element with the precision of a practiced hand.
There's an undeniable warmth to the scene, a sense of tradition and a connection to the land that seems to run through the very veins of this elderly cook. His breakfast, though simple, is a testament to the enduring charm of the country cottage kitchen, where generations of memories have been born and nurtured with each meal served.
