There lived a king who liked art. One day an artist
offered to paint the most
beautiful picture in the world on the wall of his
palace.
So the king said, “All right, you may work on one of the
walls in the new hall.” Just then, another artist said, “ Please allow me to
work on the opposite wall. I shall make exactly what that man will make on the
opposite wall. Moreover, I shall do so without looking at his work. I would
even request you to have a thick curtain put up between the two walls so the
either of us cann’t see the other.”
Everyone in the king’s court, including the king and
the first artist was surprised. So the king decided to give the man a chance.
The following day a thick curtain was put into place
and both the artists got to work. The first artist brought in a regular supply
of paint, oil and water. But the second one would come with a cloth and a
bucket of water every day.
A month later the first artist said that his work was
completed and invited the king to come.
So the king sent the message to the second artist,
saying he was coming to see their works that evening.
After seeing the first artist’s wall, the king was
very impressed with the painting and gave him a huge sum of money as a reward.
He then asked for the curtain to be opened up.
The same painting was seen on the opposite wall too!
It was exactly like the one on the first wall. But this man had not seen what
was going on, on the other side of the curtain.
The man said simply, “It’s very easy I just polished
the wall every day!”
It was a wall made of white marble. The fellow
polished it till it shone like a mirror.
The reflection of the painting across the room showed
up in it!
1.A thick curtain was put up between the two walls in
order to _____________.
A.help them
concentrate on their work.
B.keep the
first artist’s painting a secret.
C.prevent their
painting from being seen.
D.make it hare
for them exchange ideas.
2.Why did the first artist receive a large sum of
money from the king?
A.His painting
satisfied the king.
B.His painting
was the best the king has ever seen.
C.He painted
better than the second artist.
D.The king
promised to give him a reward.
3.How was the king feeling when he saw second wall?
A.Surprised and
excited. B.Fascinated
and doubtful.
C.Satisfied and
curious. D.The paintings
on the wall.
4.What would be the best title of the text?
_____________
A.A king who
loved art. B.Two artists
and the king.
C.Whose
painting is better? D.The painting
on the wall.