4000 Essential English Words 1 » Unit 7: The Best Prince

Word List
  • allow [əˈlaʊ] v.
    To allow something to happen means to let it happen.
    → Having a ticket will allow you to enter the show.
  • announce [əˈnaʊns] v.
    To announce something is to make it known.
    → He announced to everyone his new idea for the company.
  • beside [bɪˈsʌɪd] prep.
    When someone or something is beside you, they are next to you.
    → The two brothers stood beside each other.
  • challenge [ˈtʃalɪn(d)ʒ] n.
    A challenge is something difficult to complete.
    → It was a challenge to climb to the top of the mountain.
  • claim [kleɪm] v.
    To claim means to say that something is true.
    → He claimed to know why the country’s laws were weak.
  • condition [kənˈdɪʃ(ə)n] n.
    The condition of someone or something is the state that they are in.
    → The patient’s condition was very good.
  • contribute [kənˈtrɪbjuːt] v.
    To contribute to something means to do something to make it successful.
    → We decided to contribute money to the new hospital.
  • difference [ˈdɪf(ə)r(ə)ns] n.
    A difference is a way that something is not like other things.
    → The biggest difference between the birds is the color of their feathers.
  • divide [dɪˈvʌɪd] v.
    To divide something is to make it into smaller parts.
    → We divided the pizza.
  • expert [ˈɛkspəːt] n.
    An expert is someone who is very good at doing something.
    → The wizard was an expert at magic.
  • famous [ˈfeɪməs] adj.
    If someone or something is famous, they are known to many people.
    → The Eiffel Tower in Paris is very famous.
  • force [fɔːs] n.
    Force is a person’s strength or power.
    → He used all his force to try and open the door.
  • harm [hɑːm] n.
    Harm is hurt or problems caused to someone or something.
    → A hot iron can cause great harm if you are not careful.
  • lay [leɪ] v.
    To lay means to put or place in a horizontal or flat position.
    → Don’t lay your socks on the floor.
  • peace [piːs] n.
    Peace is a time without war.
    → A white dove is a symbol for peace.
  • prince [prɪns] n.
    A prince is the son of a king.
    → The prince and the princess were married.
  • protect [prəˈtɛkt] v.
    To protect someone is to stop them from getting hurt.
    → Firemen protect us from fires.
  • sense [sɛns] v.
    To sense something is to know about it without being told.
    → I could sense that he was watching me.
  • sudden [ˈsʌd(ə)n] adj.
    When something is sudden, it happens very quickly.
    → He felt a sudden pain in his chest.
  • therefore [ˈðɛːfɔː] adv.
    Therefore means for this reason.
    → He is fat. Therefore, he will go on a diet.
Exercise 1

Part A: Choose the right word for the given definition.

  1. something difficult that you have to do
    • a. condition
    • b. sense
    • c. challenge
    • d. divide
  2. the son of a king
    • a. prince
    • b. expert
    • c. famous
    • d. force
  3. to do something to help succeed
    • a. contribute
    • b. sudden
    • c. harm
    • d. peace
  4. for this reason
    • a. allow
    • b. therefore
    • c. announce
    • d. beside
  5. to stop someone from getting hurt
    • a. claim
    • b. protect
    • c. lay
    • d. difference

Part B: Write a word that is similar in meaning to the underlined part.

  1. Sarah let Tim go to the game.
    allo_ _ _
  2. The child promised not to hurt our cat.
    har_
  3. She was a well-known writer in our town.
    fam_ _ _
  4. You should say it’s true that you never lie.
    cl_ _ _
  5. The food was cut into smaller parts so we could all eat.
    d_ _ _ _ _ _
Exercise 2

Check (V) the one that suits the blank naturally.

  1. It wasn’t right for the coach__________.
    • ____ a. to make the race such a challenge
    • ____ b. to allow me to play
  2. My sister and I were fighting.__________ .
    • ____ a. We announced the winners
    • ____ b. My sister claimed she didn’t like me
  3. Everyone knew her__________ .
    • ____ a. because I stood beside her
    • ____ b. because she was famous
  4. The man would not buy the bike__________ .
    • ____ a. because of his difference
    • ____ b. because of its bad condition
  5. No one could win against Sally__________ .
    • ____ a. because she was an expert
    • ____ b. because she never used force
  6. We were scared because the dog__________ .
    • ____ a. might harm us
    • ____ b. might bring us peace
  7. The police wanted__________ .
    • ____ a. to protect us from danger
    • ____ b. to not make any sense
  8. You are too sick to play outside.__________ .
    • ____ a. Don’t lay your feet on the table
    • ____ b. Therefore, play inside
  9. She was surprised by__________ .
    • ____ a. the expected amount contributed by the animals
    • ____ b. the sudden noise outside
  10. Please be fair__________.
    • ____ a. when you meet the prince
    • ____ b. when you divide the land
Answer Key
Exercise 1
Part A
  1. c
  2. a
  3. a
  4. b
  5. b
Part B
  1. allowed
  2. harm
  3. famous
  4. claim
  5. divided
Exercise 2
  1. a
  2. b
  3. b
  4. b
  5. a
  6. a
  7. a
  8. b
  9. b
  10. b
Answer Key
The Best Prince

King Minos was very sick. His condition was getting worse. He had three sons. He loved them all. He had to announce who would become king.

Two of the princes stood waiting outside the king’s room. Theseus was the oldest and strongest. He thought his father would make him king. Pelias, the second son, thought differently. He was an expert with weapons. He thought the king would choose him.

“When I’m king,” Theseus told Pelias, “I’ll let you contribute to the defense of our country. You can lead the army.”

Pelias became angry. “Father knows I’m famous for my sword skills. He’ll make me king.”

“You?” Theseus yelled. “He won’t choose you!”

“The kingdom is mine!” Pelias claimed. “Father will give it to me—or I’ll use force to take it!”

Theseus made a sudden move to take out his sword. Then Pelias did the same.

“Beating me will be a challenge,” Theseus said. “Fight me now. The winner gets the kingdom!”

Pelias agreed.

King Minos could hear his sons fighting. The youngest son, Jason, stood beside him. He sensed his father’s sadness. The king laid his hand flat on Jason’s arm.

“Your brothers fight too much,” the king told him. “I must protect my kingdom from all harm. They’ll divide it between them. The people won’t know what to do. There’ll be war. I can’t allow either of them to be king. Therefore, I’m making you king. Your kindness has always made you special. It’s the difference between you and your brothers. You can bring peace. They can’t.”

Then the king died. Theseus and Pelias heard that their youngest brother was king. They were surprised. They realized that their fighting was wrong. It had kept them from saying goodbye to their father. They agreed to have Jason as their king. He was the best choice.

Reading Comprehension

Answer the questions.

  1. What is this story about?
    • a. A sudden fight between kings
    • b. A kind prince who got a kingdom
    • c. An expert sister and a famous king
    • d. The challenge to divide the kingdom
  2. What did the king need to protect the kingdom from?
    • a. The fighting between the two princes
    • b. The harm caused by sudden fights
    • c. The differences between the three brothers
    • d. The poor condition of the king’s army
  3. What was probably true of Jason in the story?
    • a. He wanted to bring peace to the kingdom.
    • b. The challenge of being king was too much for him.
    • c. He wanted harm to come to his brothers.
    • d. He hoped to divide the kingdom.
  4. What was the difference between Jason and his brothers?
    • a. He was an expert with weapons.
    • b. He was older and stronger.
    • c. He made more sense.
    • d. He had always been kind.
  5. What did the king have to announce?
    _____________
Answer Key
Answer Key
Reading Comprehension
  1. b
  2. a
  3. a
  4. d
  5. He would have to announce who would become king.
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