Mary was a university student. She did not have very much money, and her parents were not rich, but she had an uncle who had been fortunate enough to collect great wealth. He had no children, and Mary was his favorite niece, so he always gave her valuable Christmas and birthday presents.

When her Uncle George's birthday came round, Mary wanted to buy him something really special, but because he was so wealthy, she did not know what to get him. She went into the best shop in her town and explained what her problem was to one of the helpful young shop assistants.

Finally Mary said to her, 'I suppose this isn't the first time anybody has come to you with this problem. What do you have for someone who's already got everything he wants or needs?

The girl sighed deeply and answered, 'Envy. Only envy.

A   Which of these sentences are true (T) and which are false (F)? Write T or F in the boxes.

1. Mary was the niece of a poor man.
2. Mary wanted to buy her uncle a really special present because he was so wealthy.
3. Mary wanted to buy her uncle a really special present because he was very kind to her.
4. A young shop assistant helped her.
5. Mary asked her what she had for someone like her uncle.
6. The girl suggested a lot of things that he wanted or needed.

B   Answer these questions.

1. Was Mary rich?
2. Who was rich?
3. Why did Mary always get nice presents from him?
4. What did she want to do for her uncle?
5. Why was it difficult to find something suitable for him?
6. Where did she try to find something?
7. What did she say to the assistant?
8. And what did the assistant answer?