Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Bella who loved adventure. One sunny day, Bella wandered into her backyard and stumbled upon a colorful hot air balloon. With her eyes wide open, Bella couldn’t resist the urge to climb inside and take off for a thrilling ride through the sky. As she floated higher and higher, Bella giggled with excitement, but little did she know, this adventure was about to take an unexpected twist.

As the balloon ascended, Bella noticed a mischievous squirrel perched on the edge of the basket, munching on a juicy acorn. Before Bella could react, the squirrel dropped the acorn and scampered away, causing the balloon to sway back and forth. Bella clutched onto the sides, her heart racing. Suddenly, a gust of wind propelled the balloon forward, much to Bella’s surprise. She found herself soaring across the city, her laughter echoing through the air.

As Bella glided through the clouds, she couldn’t help but marvel at the breathtaking view below. However, just as she was enjoying the peaceful serenity, a flock of mischievous seagulls emerged from nowhere. They began swooping and squawking around the balloon, seemingly eager to join Bella’s adventure. With her arms flailing, Bella tried to ward off the pesky seagulls, resulting in a hilarious game of chase that left her in fits of laughter.

As Bella continued her balloon ride, the wind suddenly changed direction, blowing her towards a dense forest. The balloon brushed against the treetops, causing the leaves to rustle and a flurry of woodland creatures to scamper away in fright. Bella’s eyes widened in surprise as she spotted a group of mischievous monkeys swinging from the vines, seemingly curious about the unexpected visitor. Bella couldn’t help but chuckle as the monkeys playfully imitated her excited gestures.

Just as Bella was preparing for a gentle descent, a sudden gust of wind swept the balloon even higher. Bella found herself soaring above the clouds, feeling like a true superhero. She marveled at the vastness of the sky, embracing the grandeur of her unexpected journey. Finally, after what seemed like forever, Bella’s balloon began to descend gracefully, landing back in her backyard with a soft thud.

As Bella stepped out of the basket, her heart filled with joy and gratitude for the incredible adventure she had just experienced. She realized that sometimes, life offers unexpected twists and turns that can be both scary and exhilarating. Bella vowed to embrace every moment and find joy in the unexpected, just like the mischievous squirrel, seagulls, and monkeys that had brought laughter and excitement to her balloon ride. With a newfound zest for life, Bella waved at the sky, knowing that even the most ordinary days can turn into extraordinary adventures.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What did Bella find in her backyard?
2. How did Bella feel as she floated higher and higher in the balloon?
3. What caused the balloon to sway back and forth?
4. How did Bella react when the seagulls started swooping and squawking around the balloon?
5. Where did the wind blow Bella and the balloon towards?
6. What did Bella see in the forest?
7. How did Bella feel when the balloon soared above the clouds?
8. How did Bella feel when she landed back in her backyard?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Bella who loved adventure. One sunny day, Bella wandered into her backyard and stumbled upon a colorful hot air balloon. With her eyes wide open, Bella couldn’t resist the urge to climb inside and take off for a thrilling ride through the sky. As she floated higher and higher, Bella (1)______ with excitement, but little did she know, this adventure was about to take an unexpected twist.

As the balloon ascended, Bella noticed a mischievous (2)______ perched on the edge of the basket, munching on a (3)______ (4)______. Before Bella could react, the squirrel dropped the acorn and scampered away, causing the balloon to sway back and forth. Bella clutched onto the (5)______, her heart racing. Suddenly, a gust of wind propelled the balloon forward, much to Bella’s surprise. She found herself soaring across the city, her laughter echoing through the air.

As Bella glided through the clouds, she couldn’t help but marvel at the breathtaking view below. However, just as she was enjoying the (6)______ serenity, a flock of mischievous seagulls emerged from nowhere. They began swooping and (7)______ around the balloon, seemingly eager to join Bella’s adventure. With her arms flailing, Bella tried to ward off the pesky seagulls, resulting in a (8)______ game of chase that left her in fits of laughter.

As Bella continued her balloon ride, the wind suddenly changed direction, blowing her towards a dense forest. The balloon brushed against the treetops, causing the leaves to rustle and a flurry of woodland creatures to scamper away in fright. Bella’s eyes widened in surprise as she spotted a group of mischievous monkeys swinging from the vines, seemingly (9)______ about the unexpected (10)______. Bella couldn’t help but chuckle as the monkeys playfully imitated her excited gestures.

Just as Bella was preparing for a gentle descent, a sudden gust of wind swept the balloon even higher. Bella (11)______ herself (12)______ above the clouds, feeling like a true superhero. She marveled at the vastness of the sky, embracing the grandeur of her unexpected journey. Finally, after what seemed like forever, Bella’s balloon began to descend gracefully, landing back in her backyard with a soft thud.

As Bella stepped out of the basket, her heart filled with joy and gratitude for the incredible adventure she had just experienced. She realized that sometimes, life (13)______ unexpected twists and turns that can be both scary and exhilarating. Bella vowed to embrace every (14)______ and find joy in the unexpected, just like the mischievous squirrel, (15)______, and monkeys that had brought laughter and excitement to her balloon ride. With a newfound zest for life, Bella waved at the sky, (16)______ that even the most ordinary days can turn into extraordinary adventures.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is an adventure? Why do you think Bella loved adventure?
2. How would you feel if you stumbled upon a colorful hot air balloon in your backyard? Why?
3. Do you like surprises? Why or why not?
4. Do you think Bella was brave for climbing inside the hot air balloon? Why or why not?
5. What do you think Bella’s favorite part of the adventure was? Why?
6. Have you ever had an unexpected twist in your life? Can you share your experience?
7. How would you react if a mischievous squirrel caused the balloon to sway back and forth? Why?
8. Do you think it would be fun to float through the sky in a hot air balloon? Why or why not?
9. Have you ever encountered mischievous animals like the seagulls in the story? Can you share your experience?
10. How would you feel if you were blown towards a dense forest during a hot air balloon ride? Why?
11. Do you think the monkeys were friendly or mischievous? Why?
12. What is the lesson that Bella learned from her adventure? Do you agree with this lesson? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. adventure
2. ascended
3. mischievous
4. scampered
5. swayed
6. propelled
7. serene
8. swooping
9. flailing
10. dense
11. rustle
12. scamper
13. grandeur
14. gratitude
15. exhilarating

Meanings:
(A) Making one feel very happy, animated, or elated; thrilling
(B) Closely compacted together; thick
(C) Moving rapidly downward through the air
(D) Splendor and impressiveness, especially of appearance or style
(E) An exciting or very unusual experience
(F) Driven or moved forward
(G) Moved quickly with light steps
(H) Waving or swinging wildly
(I) Moved back and forth or from side to side
(J) Make a soft, muffled crackling sound
(K) Moved upward
(L) A feeling of thankfulness and appreciation
(M) Calm, peaceful, and untroubled
(N) To run with quick light steps
(O) Playfully naughty or troublesome
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did Bella find in her backyard?
(a) A colorful hot air balloon
(b) A hidden treasure
(c) A magic wand
(d) A secret door

2. What caused the balloon to sway back and forth?
(a) The squirrel dropping an acorn
(b) Bella’s laughter
(c) The wind changing direction
(d) The seagulls swooping around

3. What did Bella do when the seagulls appeared?
(a) She fed them breadcrumbs
(b) She ignored them and continued her ride
(c) She joined them in their flight
(d) She tried to ward them off

4. Where did the wind blow Bella towards?
(a) The ocean
(b) A dense forest
(c) A mountain peak
(d) A bustling city

5. What did Bella find in the forest?
(a) A hidden treasure chest
(b) A secret path
(c) Mischievous monkeys
(d) A magical waterfall

6. How did Bella feel when she was soaring above the clouds?
(a) Scared and nervous
(b) Bored and tired
(c) Like a superhero
(d) Confused and lost

7. How did Bella feel when the balloon landed back in her backyard?
(a) Disappointed and sad
(b) Anxious and worried
(c) Angry and frustrated
(d) Joyful and grateful

8. What did Bella learn from her adventure?
(a) To never go on an adventure again
(b) To embrace every moment and find joy in the unexpected
(c) To always stay inside and be safe
(d) To avoid squirrels, seagulls, and monkeys at all costs

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. A mischievous squirrel caused the balloon to sway and scared Bella.
2. Bella found herself plummeting across the city, screaming with fear.
3. A flock of seagulls joined Bella’s adventure, resulting in a hilarious game of chase.
4. Bella’s balloon eventually landed back in her backyard, ending her extraordinary adventure.
5. The balloon brushed against treetops, causing woodland creatures to scamper away.
6. Bella stumbled upon a colorful hot air balloon in her backyard.
7. Bella climbed inside the hot air balloon and took off for a terrifying ride.
8. Mischievous monkeys in the forest imitated Bella’s anxious gestures.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this story in two sentences. Here are some hints:
Who are the main characters?
What happens in the story?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What did Bella find in her backyard?
Bella found a colorful hot air balloon in her backyard.

2. How did Bella feel as she floated higher and higher in the balloon?
Bella felt excited and giggled with joy as she floated higher and higher in the balloon.

3. What caused the balloon to sway back and forth?
A mischievous squirrel dropped an acorn and scampered away, causing the balloon to sway back and forth.

4. How did Bella react when the seagulls started swooping and squawking around the balloon?
Bella tried to ward off the seagulls by flailing her arms, but she ended up laughing and playing a game of chase with them.

5. Where did the wind blow Bella and the balloon towards?
The wind blew Bella and the balloon towards a dense forest.

6. What did Bella see in the forest?
Bella saw a group of mischievous monkeys swinging from the vines in the forest.

7. How did Bella feel when the balloon soared above the clouds?
Bella felt like a true superhero and marveled at the vastness of the sky.

8. How did Bella feel when she landed back in her backyard?
Bella felt joyful and grateful for the incredible adventure she had just experienced.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) giggled
(2) squirrel
(3) juicy
(4) acorn
(5) sides
(6) peaceful
(7) squawking
(8) hilarious
(9) curious
(10) visitor
(11) found
(12) soaring
(13) offers
(14) moment
(15) seagulls
(16) knowing
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. adventure
Answer: (E) An exciting or very unusual experience

2. ascended
Answer: (K) Moved upward

3. mischievous
Answer: (O) Playfully naughty or troublesome

4. scampered
Answer: (G) Moved quickly with light steps

5. swayed
Answer: (I) Moved back and forth or from side to side

6. propelled
Answer: (F) Driven or moved forward

7. serene
Answer: (M) Calm, peaceful, and untroubled

8. swooping
Answer: (C) Moving rapidly downward through the air

9. flailing
Answer: (H) Waving or swinging wildly

10. dense
Answer: (B) Closely compacted together; thick

11. rustle
Answer: (J) Make a soft, muffled crackling sound

12. scamper
Answer: (N) To run with quick light steps

13. grandeur
Answer: (D) Splendor and impressiveness, especially of appearance or style

14. gratitude
Answer: (L) A feeling of thankfulness and appreciation

15. exhilarating
Answer: (A) Making one feel very happy, animated, or elated; thrilling
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did Bella find in her backyard?
Answer: (a) A colorful hot air balloon

2. What caused the balloon to sway back and forth?
Answer: (a) The squirrel dropping an acorn

3. What did Bella do when the seagulls appeared?
Answer: (d) She tried to ward them off

4. Where did the wind blow Bella towards?
Answer: (b) A dense forest

5. What did Bella find in the forest?
Answer: (c) Mischievous monkeys

6. How did Bella feel when she was soaring above the clouds?
Answer: (c) Like a superhero

7. How did Bella feel when the balloon landed back in her backyard?
Answer: (d) Joyful and grateful

8. What did Bella learn from her adventure?
Answer: (b) To embrace every moment and find joy in the unexpected
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. A mischievous squirrel caused the balloon to sway and scared Bella. (Answer: False)
2. Bella found herself plummeting across the city, screaming with fear. (Answer: False)
3. A flock of seagulls joined Bella’s adventure, resulting in a hilarious game of chase. (Answer: True)
4. Bella’s balloon eventually landed back in her backyard, ending her extraordinary adventure. (Answer: True)
5. The balloon brushed against treetops, causing woodland creatures to scamper away. (Answer: True)
6. Bella stumbled upon a colorful hot air balloon in her backyard. (Answer: True)
7. Bella climbed inside the hot air balloon and took off for a terrifying ride. (Answer: False)
8. Mischievous monkeys in the forest imitated Bella’s anxious gestures. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧