<Target Words>
1.abandon, 2.breathless, 3.dependent, 4.extinct, 5.hearty, 6.liquid, 7.numerous, 8.proud, 9.shut, 10.tiny, 11.waste, 12.eventually, 13.near, 14.supposedly, 15.accuracy, 16.arithmetic, 17.bishop, 18.canal, 19.climate, 20.count, 21.democracy, 22.dolphin, 23.eternity, 24.fold, 25.goddess, 26.heater, 27.inspection, 28.league, 29.mechanic, 30.negotiation, 31.parachute, 32.possession, 33.public transport, 34.remainder, 35.science fiction, 36.smoker, 37.sunrise, 38.theory, 39.variety, 40.worst, 41.analyze, 42.cancel, 43.demonstrate, 44.fancy, 45.inject, 46.monitor, 47.rebuild, 48.scream, 49.taste
/1.abandon, 2.breathless, 3.dependent, 4.extinct, 5.hearty, 6.liquid, 7.numerous, 8.proud, 9.shut, 10.tiny, 11.waste, 12.eventually, 13.near, 14.supposedly, 15.accuracy, 16.arithmetic, 17.bishop, 18.canal, 19.climate, 20.count, 21.democracy, 22.dolphin, 23.eternity, 24.fold, 25.goddess, 26.heater, 27.inspection, 28.league, 29.mechanic, 30.negotiation, 31.parachute, 32.possession, 33.public transport, 34.remainder, 35.science fiction, 36.smoker, 37.sunrise, 38.theory, 39.variety, 40.worst, 41.analyze, 42.cancel, 43.demonstrate, 44.fancy, 45.inject, 46.monitor, 47.rebuild, 48.scream, 49.taste
*Story
Lynel and Zara’s Adventure – The Land of Africa
/Lynel and Zara’s Adventure – The Land of Africa
The first rays of sunrise painted the African savanna in shades of gold and crimson.
/The first rays of sunrise painted the African savanna in shades of gold and crimson.
Lynel, a 13-year-old boy with a hearty spirit, sat on the edge of his village’s canal, rhythmically drumming his djembe.
/Lynel, a 13-year-old boy with a hearty spirit, sat on the edge of his village’s canal, rhythmically drumming his djembe.
His fingers moved like magic, creating a melody that seemed to awaken the land.
/His fingers moved like magic, creating a melody that seemed to awaken the land.
Birds flitted about in the early morning light, and a herd of elephants wandered near, slowly waking up.
/Birds flitted about in the early morning light, and a herd of elephants wandered near, slowly waking up.
“Lynel!” called a familiar voice.
/“Lynel!” called a familiar voice.
It was Zara, his best friend.
/It was Zara, his best friend.
The 13-year-old girl approached with her dancing feet barely touching the ground, her laughter a melody of its own.
/The 13-year-old girl approached with her dancing feet barely touching the ground, her laughter a melody of its own.
Lynel grinned and drummed faster, matching her joyful pace.
/Lynel grinned and drummed faster, matching her joyful pace.
“Morning, Zara!” Lynel called.
/“Morning, Zara!” Lynel called.
“You’re breathless already, and we haven’t even started our adventure!”
/“You’re breathless already, and we haven’t even started our adventure!”
Zara caught her breath and said, “Well, your drumming was too good. I couldn’t resist dancing!”
/Zara caught her breath and said, “Well, your drumming was too good. I couldn’t resist dancing!”
Lynel’s smile grew wider, proud that his music made his friend so happy.
/Lynel’s smile grew wider, proud that his music made his friend so happy.
Today, they had a plan: a day exploring the nearby savanna.
/Today, they had a plan: a day exploring the nearby savanna.
Lynel’s father, a nature conservation ranger, was taking them on an inspection of the land, as he often did.
/Lynel’s father, a nature conservation ranger, was taking them on an inspection of the land, as he often did.
Lynel’s father approached, waving from their dusty old jeep.
/Lynel’s father approached, waving from their dusty old jeep.
“Are you ready, you two?” he asked with a hearty laugh.
/“Are you ready, you two?” he asked with a hearty laugh.
The kids jumped into the jeep, Zara in the back and Lynel in the front.
/The kids jumped into the jeep, Zara in the back and Lynel in the front.
“Dad, will we see any wild animals today?” Lynel asked eagerly.
/“Dad, will we see any wild animals today?” Lynel asked eagerly.
“Of course,” his father said with a grin.
/“Of course,” his father said with a grin.
“But first, remember our mission: to inspect the savanna and make sure everything is safe and sound.
/“But first, remember our mission: to inspect the savanna and make sure everything is safe and sound.
You two have to keep your eyes open. Ready?”
/You two have to keep your eyes open. Ready?”
They both nodded, excitement bubbling up like a fizzy liquid.
/They both nodded, excitement bubbling up like a fizzy liquid.
As they set off, the jeep bumped along dusty roads, passing numerous baobab trees and fields of waving grass.
/As they set off, the jeep bumped along dusty roads, passing numerous baobab trees and fields of waving grass.
Zara leaned over and whispered, “This is the best way to learn! No boring arithmetic lessons today, right?”
/Zara leaned over and whispered, “This is the best way to learn! No boring arithmetic lessons today, right?”
Lynel laughed. “I know! But my dad says nature teaches us just as much as any school. The animals are our teachers today!”
/Lynel laughed. “I know! But my dad says nature teaches us just as much as any school. The animals are our teachers today!”
Their first stop was a watering hole, where Lynel’s father parked the jeep.
/Their first stop was a watering hole, where Lynel’s father parked the jeep.
“Quiet now,” he whispered. “Let’s observe.”
/“Quiet now,” he whispered. “Let’s observe.”
A group of graceful impalas stood in the distance, sipping water with folded legs, ready to leap at any sign of danger.
/A group of graceful impalas stood in the distance, sipping water with folded legs, ready to leap at any sign of danger.
“Why do they look so tense?” Zara asked, her voice just above a whisper.
/“Why do they look so tense?” Zara asked, her voice just above a whisper.
Lynel’s father replied, “Impalas are always on guard, especially around water. A predator could be nearby. This watering hole is a place of life and sometimes death.”
/Lynel’s father replied, “Impalas are always on guard, especially around water. A predator could be nearby. This watering hole is a place of life and sometimes death.”
He paused, his eyes scanning the area.
/He paused, his eyes scanning the area.
“The climate here can be harsh. If the impalas waste too much energy, they won’t survive. Every moment counts in the wild.”
/“The climate here can be harsh. If the impalas waste too much energy, they won’t survive. Every moment counts in the wild.”
They watched in awe, and Lynel couldn’t resist a small rhythm on his djembe.
/They watched in awe, and Lynel couldn’t resist a small rhythm on his djembe.
Suddenly, a loud scream pierced the air.
/Suddenly, a loud scream pierced the air.
“What was that?” Zara exclaimed.
/“What was that?” Zara exclaimed.
Lynel’s father remained calm.
/Lynel’s father remained calm.
“Stay close,” he said. “We need to investigate.”
/“Stay close,” he said. “We need to investigate.”
They moved slowly, stepping carefully through the tall grass until they saw the source of the commotion.
/They moved slowly, stepping carefully through the tall grass until they saw the source of the commotion.
A tiny meerkat family had been separated.
/A tiny meerkat family had been separated.
A baby meerkat had gotten trapped in a crevice and was calling for help.
/A baby meerkat had gotten trapped in a crevice and was calling for help.
Lynel’s father crouched down.
/Lynel’s father crouched down.
“We have to help them, but carefully,” he explained.
/“We have to help them, but carefully,” he explained.
“Meerkats are highly dependent on each other. Their survival depends on their family working together. They’re very social animals.”
/“Meerkats are highly dependent on each other. Their survival depends on their family working together. They’re very social animals.”
“Can we help?” Lynel asked.
/“Can we help?” Lynel asked.
His father nodded.
/His father nodded.
“We’ll use precision, almost like an art. You see, if we don’t act with accuracy, we could make things worse.”
/“We’ll use precision, almost like an art. You see, if we don’t act with accuracy, we could make things worse.”
Together, they worked to gently lift the rocks, and eventually, the baby meerkat was free.
/Together, they worked to gently lift the rocks, and eventually, the baby meerkat was free.
The meerkat family reunited, and Zara smiled.
/The meerkat family reunited, and Zara smiled.
“That was amazing!” she said, beaming.
/“That was amazing!” she said, beaming.
“You two demonstrated a real rescue operation!”
/“You two demonstrated a real rescue operation!”
As they returned to the jeep, Lynel thought about the variety of creatures they’d seen.
/As they returned to the jeep, Lynel thought about the variety of creatures they’d seen.
“Dad, what happens to animals when humans don’t care for nature?” he asked.
/“Dad, what happens to animals when humans don’t care for nature?” he asked.
His father sighed.
/His father sighed.
“Some species become extinct, like the West African black rhino.
/“Some species become extinct, like the West African black rhino.
We must respect the land and all the creatures that live on it. Coexistence is key.”
/We must respect the land and all the creatures that live on it. Coexistence is key.”
The jeep traveled onward, and soon, they came across a wide canal, its water shimmering under the sun.
/The jeep traveled onward, and soon, they came across a wide canal, its water shimmering under the sun.
There, they found a pod of dolphins, leaping gracefully.
/There, they found a pod of dolphins, leaping gracefully.
Lynel’s father explained, “These are African river dolphins.
/Lynel’s father explained, “These are African river dolphins.
Dolphins may seem playful, but pollution could one day make them disappear.
/Dolphins may seem playful, but pollution could one day make them disappear.
That’s why protecting water sources is so crucial.”
/That’s why protecting water sources is so crucial.”
Zara clapped her hands.
/Zara clapped her hands.
“I wish I could swim with them,” she said, her voice full of wonder.
/“I wish I could swim with them,” she said, her voice full of wonder.
“Maybe one day,” Lynel replied, and they watched the dolphins until they vanished into the water.
/“Maybe one day,” Lynel replied, and they watched the dolphins until they vanished into the water.
Their adventure continued, and the jeep pulled up to a massive anthill.
/Their adventure continued, and the jeep pulled up to a massive anthill.
“What’s in there?” Zara asked, wide-eyed.
/“What’s in there?” Zara asked, wide-eyed.
“Termites,” Lynel’s father replied.
/“Termites,” Lynel’s father replied.
“Termites may seem like a waste to some, but they help rebuild the land, turning old wood into fertile soil.
/“Termites may seem like a waste to some, but they help rebuild the land, turning old wood into fertile soil.
Nature never truly wastes anything.”
/Nature never truly wastes anything.”
The day was full of surprises.
/The day was full of surprises.
They had lunch under an acacia tree, where Lynel’s father told them about ancient African legends.
/They had lunch under an acacia tree, where Lynel’s father told them about ancient African legends.
“Once,” he said, “people believed in a goddess who protected the savanna.
/“Once,” he said, “people believed in a goddess who protected the savanna.
Supposedly, she could talk to every animal, and they all lived in harmony.”
/Supposedly, she could talk to every animal, and they all lived in harmony.”
Lynel and Zara imagined a world like that, full of peace and music.
/Lynel and Zara imagined a world like that, full of peace and music.
Eventually, the sun began to set, and Lynel’s father started the jeep to take them home.
/Eventually, the sun began to set, and Lynel’s father started the jeep to take them home.
But their journey was far from over.
/But their journey was far from over.
As they drove, dark clouds rolled in.
/As they drove, dark clouds rolled in.
Rain poured down, drenching the land in seconds.
/Rain poured down, drenching the land in seconds.
“Oh no!” Zara said, hugging herself.
/“Oh no!” Zara said, hugging herself.
“We’re soaked!”
/“We’re soaked!”
Lynel’s father laughed.
/Lynel’s father laughed.
“Don’t worry. We’re nearly home. Just hang tight!”
/“Don’t worry. We’re nearly home. Just hang tight!”
But as they drove, the jeep’s engine began to sputter.
/But as they drove, the jeep’s engine began to sputter.
Lynel’s father frowned.
/Lynel’s father frowned.
“That’s not good,” he said.
/“That’s not good,” he said.
“It’s time for a quick inspection.”
/“It’s time for a quick inspection.”
He climbed out and lifted the hood, revealing steaming machinery.
/He climbed out and lifted the hood, revealing steaming machinery.
“I think we need a mechanic,” Zara joked, shivering.
/“I think we need a mechanic,” Zara joked, shivering.
Lynel’s father chuckled.
/Lynel’s father chuckled.
“Looks like we’ll have to fix it ourselves.
/“Looks like we’ll have to fix it ourselves.
Luckily, I know a few tricks.
/Luckily, I know a few tricks.
Lynel, pass me that toolbox.”
/Lynel, pass me that toolbox.”
Together, they worked as a team, even though the rain made it difficult.
/Together, they worked as a team, even though the rain made it difficult.
Eventually, Lynel’s father managed to inject the engine with some life, and the jeep roared back to life.
/Eventually, Lynel’s father managed to inject the engine with some life, and the jeep roared back to life.
They were breathless but victorious.
/They were breathless but victorious.
As they drove home, Lynel thought about their adventure.
/As they drove home, Lynel thought about their adventure.
“You know,” he said to Zara, “it’s funny how much we learned today.
/“You know,” he said to Zara, “it’s funny how much we learned today.
We didn’t even need to count numbers or solve math problems.
/We didn’t even need to count numbers or solve math problems.
Nature teaches us in its own way.”
/Nature teaches us in its own way.”
Zara nodded. “Yeah. We saw so many things—meerkats, dolphins, impalas—and learned the importance of taking care of our world. This was the best day ever!”
/Zara nodded. “Yeah. We saw so many things—meerkats, dolphins, impalas—and learned the importance of taking care of our world. This was the best day ever!”
The jeep pulled into the village just as the sky cleared.
/The jeep pulled into the village just as the sky cleared.
The setting sun cast a warm glow, and Lynel and Zara knew they’d remember this day forever.
/The setting sun cast a warm glow, and Lynel and Zara knew they’d remember this day forever.
They had a story worth sharing, a memory full of music, wildlife, and the joy of discovering Africa’s magic.
/They had a story worth sharing, a memory full of music, wildlife, and the joy of discovering Africa’s magic.
* Review Questions
/* Review Questions
What did Lynel’s father do to fix the jeep?
/What did Lynel’s father do to fix the jeep?
A) He used a monitor to check the engine.
/A) He used a monitor to check the engine.
B) He managed to inject some life into it.
/B) He managed to inject some life into it.
C) He pulled out his parachute to glide home.
/C) He pulled out his parachute to glide home.
D) He worked on it to ensure it didn’t shut down again.
/D) He worked on it to ensure it didn’t shut down again.
What caused Zara to be breathless during the adventure?
/What caused Zara to be breathless during the adventure?
A) She was screaming from the scare.
/A) She was screaming from the scare.
B) She danced to Lynel’s drumming.
/B) She danced to Lynel’s drumming.
C) She had to cancel her plans to join.
/C) She had to cancel her plans to join.
D) She saw a smoker near the camp.
/D) She saw a smoker near the camp.
Why were the impalas at the watering hole tense?
/Why were the impalas at the watering hole tense?
A) Because the heater made it too warm.
/A) Because the heater made it too warm.
B) Due to the fold in the land where predators could hide.
/B) Due to the fold in the land where predators could hide.
C) There was a league of lions nearby.
/C) There was a league of lions nearby.
D) They were waiting for public transport.
/D) They were waiting for public transport.
What lesson did Lynel and Zara learn during the trip?
/What lesson did Lynel and Zara learn during the trip?
A) The importance of negotiation with nature.
/A) The importance of negotiation with nature.
B) How to taste different fruits.
/B) How to taste different fruits.
C) The survival monitor of various species.
/C) The survival monitor of various species.
D) The variety of ways to rebuild an ecosystem.
/D) The variety of ways to rebuild an ecosystem.
How did Lynel’s father describe the importance of water?
/How did Lynel’s father describe the importance of water?
A) It was essential to avoid waste.
/A) It was essential to avoid waste.
B) It could be a possession of the strongest animals.
/B) It could be a possession of the strongest animals.
C) Pollution would lead to species becoming extinct.
/C) Pollution would lead to species becoming extinct.
D) It should be kept fancy for all animals to fight.
/D) It should be kept fancy for all animals to fight.
