VM IV Cluster Story 6
Scientists and The Ascetic
Part 1 Introduction:
In part one of this story, scientists find a man over a hundred years old living in a harsh region.
The scientists proceed to run tests and ask him questions. They find that his body was in great
condition and he was open to their questions.
Key Phrases:
You will read the phrase “austere regions.” This means an area of land that is somber and grave.
You will read the phrase “remained congenial.” This means to stay pleasant and agreeable.
You will read the phrase “more credulous.” This phrase means become more ready to believe on
uncertain evidence.
Part 1:
The doctors on the research team were dubious when they first met the taciturn ascetic living in
the mountains of the world’s most austere regions. The man was over hundred years old and
there were no signs of atrophy. His condition was exemplary.
The ascetic was not apprehensive toward the team of scientists. He did not see their questions or
tests as provocative and remained congenial throughout the examination. His acquiescence
toward the tests made the evidence about his age more credulous.
Fill-in-the-blank
1. The doctors on the research team were ___________ when they first met the taciturn
ascetic living in the mountains of the world’s most austere regions.
exhilarated
dubious
dumbfounded
enthralled
2. The man was over hundred years old and there were no signs of __________.
atrophy
decay
evolution
supplementation
3. The ascetic was not ___________ toward the team of scientists.
apprehensive
aggravated
condescending
delusional
4. He did not see their questions or tests as ___________ and remained congenial
throughout the examination.
decadent
insightful
provocative
informative
5. His ____________ toward the tests made the evidence about his age more credulous.
disobedience
animosity
docility
Comprehension Questions
1.
Where did the scientist come across a phenomenon?
a.
b.
c.
d.
2.
somber, grave, austere region
hot, dry, flat region
radiant, joyful, developed region
none of the above
What did the scientist find in this region?
a.
b.
c.
d.
An extinct insect.
A rare flower.
An allusive tribe.
A taciturn ascetic.
acquiescence
3.
What was unique about the scientist’s finding?
a.
b.
c.
d.
4.
What did the scientist’s do to the find?
a.
b.
c.
d.
5.
The insect had been extinct for millions of years.
The flower grew in opposite condition as the region it was in.
The tribe was made up of all women.
The man’s body had not begun to decay or wear down compared to his age.
Documented it with pictures.
Ran tests.
Collected it and returned home.
Watched from a distance.
What was the attitude of the scientists?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Enraged.
Amazed.
Arrogant.
Indifferent.
Short Answer
1.
Who are the characters of the story?
2.
Where are they located?
3.
What was enthralling about their find?
4.
What is the tone of the story?
5.
How did the scientists react to what they found?
Part 2 Introduction:
In the next part of this story, one scientist has had a change of heart. Initially he was indifferent to
the man. However, his indifference quickly changes to extreme emotion about the situation. The
scientists were still in amazement that the man’s lifestyle did not cause him to become feeble and
fade away.
Key phrases:
You will read the phrase “incessant dissent.” This phrase means continuing without interruption
with a differing opinion.
You will read the phrase “a fastidious life.” This phrase means living in a complex and excessive
way.
You will read the phrase “languish away into atrophy.” This phrase means become more feeble or
week and begin to waste away.
Part 2:
One scientist had a complete change of heart toward the ascetic. He went from a neutral almost
static position to that of great fervor. It was hard to believe that this scientist had once led the
incessant dissent toward this ascetic.
The heresy surrounding the life of the ascetic was incredible. It was the highest form of research
indolence. It was hard to believe that researchers simply didn’t want to believe that a person who
chose to live a fastidious life style would not simply languish away into atrophy.
Fill-in-the-blank
1.
He went from a neutral almost static position to that of great __________.
explanation
2.
insanity
dissent
unconventionality
control
acceptance
madness
It was the highest form of research ____________.
compassion
5.
confusion
The ___________ surrounding the life of the ascetic was incredible.
heresy
4.
fervor
It was hard to believe that this scientist had once led the incessant _________ toward this
ascetic.
mediation
3.
depression
indolence
honor
accreditation
It was hard to believe that researchers simply didn’t want to believe that a person who
chose to live a ____________ life style would not simply languish away into atrophy.
fastidious
detrimental
exemplary
satisfying
Comprehension Questions
1.
What was the scientist’s initial emotion/attitude towards the man?
a.
b.
c.
d.
2.
How did the scientist change?
a.
b.
c.
d.
3.
Elated
Suspicious
Neutral
Overwhelmed
he became more aggressive.
he became very destructive.
he became difficult.
None of the above.
In what shape did the scientists expect the man to be?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Physically strong and fit
Weak and deteriorating
Rambunctious
Full of life
4.
How did the scientists view the man’s life?
a.
b.
c.
d.
5.
Fastidious
Competent
Grandiose
Frivolous
How was the man’s body?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Exemplary state
Run down
Overworked
None of the above
Short Answer
1.
How did the scientist have a change of heart?
2.
Why were the scientist’s shocked by the man’s condition?
3.
Did the scientists believe that a lifestyle like this would result in the man’s condition?
4.
Who initially wanted to see the dissent of the man?
5.
What type of lifestyle did the old man lead?
Part 3 Introduction:
In the last part of this story, the results from the research are shared with the world. Many people
become interested about the health benefits from the man’s lifestyle. The research puts an end to
the attack against the benefits of good clean living.
Key phrases
You will read the phrase “tentative results.” This phrase means the outcome is not fully worked
out of developed.
You will read the phrase “impudent attacks.” This phrase means attacks that show a disregard for
others.
Part 3:
The tentative results of the team’s research created an international euphony of interest toward
the ascetic and his prosaic life style. The researchers agreed that the gravity of this research was
too important to be relegated to a single line in a local newspaper. It was time to tell the entire
world about the benefits of such a fastidious life style.
The researchers were pleased to see that their findings were not disparate and were consistently
redundant. Their incessant search for the truth should now engender a new look at the healthful
benefits of a fastidious lifestyle. It should also put to rest the impudent attacks against the benefits
of good clean living.
Fill-in-the-blank
1.
The tentative results of the team’s research created an international euphony of interest
toward the ascetic and his ____________ life style.
prosaic
2.
unique
condensed
relegated
indistinguishable
disparate
unoriginal
Their incessant search for the truth should now _____________ a new look at the
healthful benefits of a fastidious lifestyle.
engender
5.
expanded
The researchers were pleased to see that their findings were not ____________ and were
consistently redundant.
changing
4.
definitive
He researchers agreed that the gravity of this research was too important to be
__________ to a single line in a local newspaper.
reported
3.
contradictory
recalculate
diffuse
discontinue
It should also put to rest the ____________ attacks against the benefits of good clean
living.
clever
lackluster
demeaning
impudent
Comprehension Questions
1. Why did the scientist not want to limit their findings to a newspaper?
a.
b.
c.
d.
2.
They didn’t think it would be accepted locally.
Their research wasn’t local.
It was too important to not share internationally.
They were not personally from the area.
How did the scientist’s describe the man’s lifestyle?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Hazardous
Thought provoking
Active
Dull
3.
What was an outcome from the research?
a.
b.
c.
d.
4.
What made the scientist confident that the research was ready to be released?
a.
b.
c.
d.
5.
The scientists became outcasts.
Their researched was published in a journal.
Cause a new look of a fastidious lifestyle.
A negative look at a fastidious lifestyle.
In the town square
The research was consistently the same when tested.
On the internet
On the balcony of his home
What was the main point of the research?
a.
b.
c.
d.
A good quality of life can be attributed to a clean and healthy lifestyle.
You must live off the land to be healthy.
A person cannot live past a hundred years old.
None of the above.
Short Answer
1.
What was the final step of the research?
2.
Why did the information need to spread internationally?
3.
Describe the main events of this story.
4.
What did the test of the ascetic and his prosaic life style conclude?
5.
How was the researched described?
Scientists and The Ascetic
The doctors on the research team were dubious when they first met the taciturn ascetic
living in the mountains of the world’s most austere regions. The man was over hundred
years old and there were no signs of atrophy. His condition was exemplary.
The ascetic was not apprehensive toward the team of scientists. He did not see their
questions or tests as provocative and remained congenial throughout the examination. His
acquiescence toward the tests made the evidence about his age more credulous.
One scientist had a complete change of heart toward the ascetic. He went from a neutral
almost static position to that of great fervor. It was hard to believe that this scientist had
once led the incessant dissent toward this ascetic.
The heresy surrounding the life of the ascetic was incredible. It was the highest form of
research indolence. It was hard to believe that researchers simply didn’t want to believe
that a person who chose to live a fastidious life style would not simply languish away into
atrophy.
The tentative results of the team’s research created an international euphony of interest
toward the ascetic and his prosaic life style. The researchers agreed that the gravity of
this research was too important to be relegated to a single line in a local newspaper. It
was time to tell the entire world about the benefits of such a fastidious life style.
The researchers were pleased to see that their findings were not disparate and were
consistently redundant. Their incessant search for the truth should now engender a new
look at the healthful benefits of a fastidious lifestyle. It should also put to rest the
impudent attacks against the benefits of good clean living.