Selection 5 GRADE 7

Speed and Comprehension Reading Material

THE LEGEND OF THE HUNDRED ISLANDS

A long time ago, there was a kingdom ruled by Rajah Masubeg (Pangasinan for
“brave”). He was loved and respected by his people for his people for his having been
courageous and peace –loving leader. For years, the spirit of unity and contentment reigned
in the place. Everybody was thankful to his Creator.

One day, the atmosphere of quietude was disturbed when a servant cried out to the
ruler. “Your Highness, a fleet of invaders is nearing the kingdom!”

Readily, the Rajah called for a council meeting. The youngest in the group
exclaimed.”Let us not allow the invaders to land in our kingdom. We will meet them at
sea.”All the other subjects agreed by saying, ”We will be united in conquering them.”

One hundred of the bravest warriors led by the Rajah’s son Datu Mabiskeg (strong)
boarded ten bancas and fought the foes. For one whole day, the fighting continued. Toward
dusk, the enemies were defeated and driven away. However, not one of the hundred warriors
returned alive.

Rajah Masubeg was full of grief with the death of his son and his men. Yet, he accepted
his fate and told his people. “ while we mourn for their death, let us remember that they did
not die in vain. They are our heroes. Let us pray that they may rest in peace.

A week later, the town people were surprised as they gazed upon an unusual scene: the
once – empty waters were now dotted by a hundred islands, some shaped like overturned
bancas and others like floating bodies of fearless fighters.

Since then, people had believed that the bravery of Datu Mabiskeg’s force was admired
by the Gods so that their heroism was immortalized in the form of islands. In that way, their
spirits could forever guard the land.

SOURCE: MOVING AHEAD IN ENGLISH 1, pp, 179 -180

No. of Words: 265

 Selection 5 GRADE 7
Speed and Comprehension Reading Material

THE LEGEND OF THE HUNDRED ISLANDS

QUESTIONS
1. What is legend?
A. It contains Biblical stories.
B. It is a story where animals are the main characters.
C. Legend tells about the origin of places or things
D. It is a magical story.

2. The word Masubeg means “brave “ in

A .Ilocas B. Samar C. Pampanga D. Pangasinan

3. What does the word “quietude “mean?

A. sorrowful B. desperate C. peaceful D. noisy

4. According to the selection, what kind of leader is Rajah Masubeg?

A. courageous and contented C. Courageous and peace-loving
B. contented and thankful D. peace-loving and thankful

5. How was the peaceful atmosphere in the kingdom disturbed?

A. by the disunity of the villagers C. By the appearance of hundred isands
B. By the defeat of the warriors D.by the arrival of the fleet of invaders

6. Who led the bravest warrior in the fight?

A. Rajah Masubeg B. Datu Mabiskeg C. Rajah Sulyman D. Indarapatra

7. Who were defeated in the fight?

A. The hundred warriors in the village C. The Spanish Warriors
B. the enemies of the villagers D. The residence of the village

8. What must have happened to the hundred warriors?

A. they all died in the fight C. they were captured by the enemies
B. they went away after the fight D. they were taken by the enemies

9. What was the reaction of Rajah Masubeg with the death of his son and the other warriors?
A. full of joy B. Full of grief C. Full of anxiety D. Full of anger

10. What must be the purpose of the Gods in creating the hundred islands ?
A. immortalizing the heroism of the warriors in the form of islands.
B. preventing the enemies from coming
C. beautifying the place of tragedy
D. waiting for the return of the spirits of the warriors from the islands
 Selection 5 GRADE 7
Speed and Comprehension Reading Material

THE LEGEND OF THE HUNDRED ISLANDS

KEY
1.C
2.D
3.C
4.C
5.D
6.B
7.B
8.A
9.B
10.A