Comprehension, You’re Beautiful

A.  UNDERSTANDING THE MAIN IDEAS

Circle the letter of the best answer.

1. The song “You’re Beautiful” is about a woman named Sarah, who was
a. a singer at a club in London.
b. a stranger James saw on the subway.
c. James’s girlfriend when he was a university student.

2. James didn’t speak to Sarah because
a. she was with another man.
b. he was with another woman.
c. she was standing too far away from him.

3. After James saw Sarah on the subway, he
a. called her and kept in touch.
b. never saw her again.
c. asked her to marry him.

B. UNDERSTANDING TIME RELATIONSHIPS

Find the best way to complete each sentence.  Write the letter of your answer on the line.

  1. James had a girlfriend named Sarah _____
  2. He called Sarah _____
  3. Other soldiers came and listened to him _____
  4. Sarah and the man disappeared into the crowd _____
  5. James didn’t stop writing _____

 

 a. when the train came into the next station.
b. when he was a university student.
c. until his poem was finished.
d. whenever he sang.
e. whenever he could.

C. REMEMBERING DETAILS

One word in each sentence is not correct.   Find the word and cross it out.  Write the correct word.

  1. James joined the British Navy.
  1. The army sent him to other countries–to Canada and then to Switzerland.
  1. James played his violin in his free time.
  1. He decided to work as a poet and professional musician.
  1. James played his guitar in a lot of big clubs in London.
  1. He needed a big hit to make him happy.
  1. One day he got on a subway train in Paris and saw Sarah.
  1. In only a few days, James wrote a complete song about Sarah.

Copyright © 2025 Sandra Heyer. All rights reserved. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.