Page 48 - Index

2023 ‫מועד חורף‬ - 47 - ‫ פרק שני‬- ‫אנגלית‬

Reading Comprehension

This part consists of two passages, each followed by several related questions. For each
question, choose the most appropriate answer based on the text.

Text I (Questions 13-17)

(1) Abu'l Qasim Mansur (c. 935-1026), more commonly known by his pen name,
Firdousi, was a medieval Persian poet of great eminence. He is best known for his
Shahnameh (Book of Kings), a lengthy epic poem that recounts the history and legends
of Persia. Firdousi, who spent 35 years working on the poem, based his work on an

(5) earlier collection of Persian stories and historical records. For over a thousand years,
Persians have read and listened to recitations from this literary masterpiece.

There are many different accounts about the events preceding and following the
production of the Shahnameh. According to one, Sultan Mahmud had promised to give
Firdousi one gold coin for each verse of the Shahnameh, to be paid upon its completion.

(10) The poem ended up being 60,000 verses long. The Sultan's advisors pointed out that
the payment would be enormous and convinced him to pay Firdousi in silver coins
rather than gold. When Firdousi heard this, he was outraged and refused to accept the
money. Ten years later – as the story goes – the Sultan read a beautiful line of poetry
written by Firdousi and deeply regretted his unfair treatment of the poet. He sent

(15) messengers to deliver the 60,000 gold coins, along with a letter of apology and a special
robe as a sign of respect. However, the caravan carrying the treasure arrived in
Firdousi's village just as the poet's funeral procession was passing through the streets.

The Sultan's messengers offered the money to Firdousi's daughter, but she turned it
down. Firdousi's sister, however, remembered that the poet had often discussed the

(20) need to build a stone wall along the river to protect the village from flooding. She used
part of the gold for this and, to commemorate her brother, used the rest to build a
caravanserai – a guesthouse for travelers.

Questions

13. The main purpose of the second paragraph is to -

(1) explain why the Sultan was disappointed with Firdousi's Shahnameh
(2) discuss the historical events described in the Shahnameh
(3) compare several versions of the Shahnameh
(4) present one story about the Shahnameh

)‫© כל הזכויות שמורות למרכז ארצי לבחינות ולהערכה (ע"ר‬
.‫ בלא אישור בכתב מהמרכז הארצי לבחינות ולהערכה‬- ‫ כולה או חלקים ממנה‬- ‫ או ללמדה‬,‫אין להעתיק או להפיץ בחינה זו או קטעים ממנה בכל צורה ובכל אמצעי‬