017. The Sound Machine

Exercise 1
Choose the best answer.

1. Klausner’s machine is useful fr
A. storing spare, coloured wires
B. measuring the growth of plants
C. making a dog whistle with a higher sound
D. listening to sounds inaudible to the human ear

2. Klausner asks Mrs. Saunders to cut another rose because
A. he wants to make sue that his machine can really detect the cry made by the rose being cut
B. he enjoys hearing the flowers scream
C. he likes to frighten her
D. he likes yellow roses

3. Why does Klausner ask Dr. Scott to join him in the park?
A. He has hurt his ears and needs a doctor.
B. He is too tired to carry the machine back by himself.
C. The tree told him it wanted some iodine.
D. He wants Dr. Scott to hear the sound made by the tree.

4. Dr. Scott decides to treat the injured tree with iodine because
A. Klausner insists that he does so
B. he is doing a special experiment on plants
C. he thinks the tree will look nice with a purple iodine patch
D. he is also a botanish with an interest in plant conservation

5. Why does Dr. Scott first visit Klausner?
A. He wants to see Klausner’s new radio.
B. He wants to check up on Klausner’s sore throat.
C. He wants to ask Klausner to join him for a walk.
D. He wants to help Klausner make the machine.

6. What happens to Klausner’s sound machine at the end of the story?
A. It is given to Dr. Scott for safekeeping.
B. It is smashed by the falling branch.
C. Klausner smashes it with his axe.
D. Klausner takes it home.

Exercise 2
Write short answers to the following questions.

1. What does the sound machine look like?

2. What does Mrs. Saunders think of Klausner when he tells her about her roses screaming in pain?

3. What does Klausner do to confirm his discovery about the sounds from the sound machine?

4. Briefly describe, in your own words, what Klausner hears when he swings his axe against the tree trunk the first time.

5. Why does the doctor paint the tree with iodine?
6. In your opinion, why does the branch fall?