Once upon a time in a small town called Rivertown, there stood an old clock tower. The townspeople marveled at its beauty and its old-world charm. Legend had it that the clock tower held a secret that was waiting to be discovered. People would whisper stories about hidden treasures, ghosts, and secret passages. No one had ever dared to venture inside and find out the truth.

One fine day, a brave young girl named Lucy decided to solve the mystery once and for all. Armed with a flashlight and her loyal dog, Rufus, she courageously made her way up the winding stairs of the clock tower. As she reached the top, her heart started pounding with excitement. She entered the clock room and was greeted by an eerie silence.

Lucy’s flashlight revealed a hidden compartment behind one of the gears. Inside, she found an ancient map. It was a map of the town, with a big red X marked near the river. Curiosity got the better of her, and she decided to follow the map. Rufus happily wagged his tail in agreement.

As she reached the marked spot, Lucy was in for a big surprise. She discovered a secret underground passage that led to a cave. The cave was filled with glittering gold and sparkling jewels. But to her astonishment, it was not just any treasure. It was a treasure that some long-forgotten pirates had buried hundreds of years ago.

As Lucy admired the treasure, she remembered one of the town’s oldest stories. The pirates had stolen from the rich and given to the poor. Inspired by this tale, Lucy realized that the true treasure was not the gold and jewels but the idea of helping others. She decided to use the treasure to set up a charity fund for the needy in Rivertown.

Word soon spread about Lucy’s discovery, and people started flocking to donate to the charity fund. The once-divided town came together to support those less fortunate. The clock tower, which had once been a mystery, now became a symbol of hope and compassion.

Lucy’s bravery and selfless act had not only solved the secret of the old clock tower but had also brought a positive change to Rivertown. The town would forever be grateful to Lucy, for she had shown them that the greatest treasure one can possess is a kind and giving heart. And so, the legend of the old clock tower became a tale of courage, unity, and the power of compassion.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What did the townspeople believe about the clock tower?
2. What did Lucy find inside the clock tower?
3. What did Lucy decide to do with the treasure she found?
4. How did the town react to Lucy’s discovery?
5. What did the treasure in the cave turn out to be?
6. What inspired Lucy to use the treasure for a charity fund?
7. How did the town change after Lucy’s discovery?
8. What did the clock tower symbolize after Lucy’s act of bravery?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time in a small town called Rivertown, there stood an old (1)______ tower. The townspeople marveled at its beauty and its old-world charm. Legend had it that the clock tower held a secret that was waiting to be discovered. People would (2)______ stories about hidden treasures, ghosts, and secret passages. No one had ever dared to venture inside and find out the truth.

One fine day, a (3)______ young girl named Lucy decided to solve the mystery once and for all. Armed with a flashlight and her loyal dog, Rufus, she courageously made her way up the winding (4)______ of the clock tower. As she reached the top, her heart started pounding with excitement. She entered the clock room and was greeted by an eerie silence.

Lucy’s flashlight revealed a hidden compartment behind one of the gears. Inside, she found an ancient map. It was a map of the town, with a big red X (5)______ near the river. Curiosity got the better of her, and she decided to (6)______ the map. Rufus happily (7)______ his tail in agreement.

As she reached the marked spot, Lucy was in for a big (8)______. She discovered a secret underground passage that led to a cave. The cave was filled with glittering gold and sparkling jewels. But to her astonishment, it was not just any treasure. It was a treasure that some long-forgotten pirates had buried hundreds of years ago.

As Lucy (9)______ the treasure, she remembered one of the town’s oldest (10)______. The pirates had stolen from the rich and (11)______ to the poor. Inspired by this tale, Lucy realized that the true treasure was not the gold and jewels but the idea of (12)______ others. She decided to use the treasure to set up a charity fund for the needy in Rivertown.

Word soon spread about Lucy’s discovery, and people started flocking to donate to the charity fund. The once-divided town came together to support those less fortunate. The clock (13)______, which had once been a mystery, now became a (14)______ of hope and compassion.

Lucy’s bravery and selfless act had not only solved the secret of the old clock tower but had also brought a positive change to Rivertown. The town would forever be grateful to Lucy, for she had (15)______ them that the greatest treasure one can possess is a kind and giving (16)______. And so, the legend of the old clock tower became a tale of courage, unity, and the power of compassion.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is the significance of legends and stories in a community?
2. How would you feel if you discovered a hidden treasure like Lucy did?
3. Do you believe in the idea of hidden treasures or secret passages? Why or why not?
4. What do you think motivated Lucy to solve the mystery of the clock tower?
5. How do you think Lucy’s act of setting up a charity fund impacted the community?
6. Do you think it’s important for communities to come together to support those in need? Why or why not?
7. How does the story of the old clock tower demonstrate the power of compassion?
8. What other ways could Lucy have used the treasure she found to benefit the community?
9. Have you ever been inspired by a story to take action or make a difference? If so, what was the story and what did you do?
10. How does the story of Lucy and the clock tower relate to the idea of unity?
11. What qualities do you think make someone brave? Can you think of any examples from your own life or from history?
12. Do you think it’s important for communities to have symbols or landmarks that represent hope and compassion? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. marveled
2. old-world
3. ventured
4. eerie
5. revealed
6. compartment
7. curiosity
8. marked
9. underground
10. glittering
11. astonished
12. long-forgotten
13. admired
14. divided
15. forever

Meanings:
(A) To take a risky or daring journey or action
(B) Relating to or characteristic of a past era or time period
(C) A separate section or space within a larger object or area
(D) Separated or split into different groups or factions
(E) To regard with pleasure, respect, or approval
(F) Forgotten or left behind in the past
(G) A strong desire to know or learn something
(H) Very surprised or amazed
(I) For all time; eternally
(J) Indicated or pointed out with a visible sign or symbol
(K) To be filled with wonder or astonishment
(L) To make something known or visible
(M) Located or occurring below the surface of the ground
(N) Shining or sparkling brightly
(O) Strange and mysterious, often with a sense of unease or fear
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did Lucy find behind one of the gears in the clock tower?
(a) A secret passage
(b) A hidden compartment
(c) A ghost
(d) A treasure map

2. What did Lucy discover when she followed the map?
(a) A secret underground passage
(b) A hidden room in the clock tower
(c) A ghostly figure
(d) A locked treasure chest

3. What did Lucy find in the cave?
(a) Ancient artifacts
(b) Glittering gold and sparkling jewels
(c) A hidden message
(d) A secret door

4. What did Lucy decide to do with the treasure?
(a) Keep it for herself
(b) Sell it for a profit
(c) Set up a charity fund for the needy
(d) Hide it in a different location

5. How did the town react to Lucy’s discovery?
(a) People started searching for more treasures
(b) People were afraid of the hidden secrets
(c) People started donating to the charity fund
(d) People ignored Lucy’s discovery

6. What did the treasure symbolize for Lucy?
(a) Wealth and power
(b) The town’s history
(c) The mystery of the clock tower
(d) The idea of helping others

7. What did Lucy’s discovery bring to Rivertown?
(a) Fear and division
(b) Greed and selfishness
(c) Confusion and chaos
(d) Unity and compassion

8. What did the clock tower become after Lucy’s discovery?
(a) A symbol of hope and compassion
(b) A tourist attraction
(c) A haunted place
(d) A forgotten landmark

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The treasure in the cave is revealed to be the long-forgotten treasure of pirates.
2. Lucy does not find an ancient map in a hidden compartment behind one of the gears.
3. The clock tower in Rivertown is known for its beauty and old-world charm.
4. Uninspired by the pirates’ story, Lucy decides not to use the treasure to set up a charity fund for the needy in Rivertown.
5. The map leads Lucy to a secret underground passage that leads to a cave filled with treasure.
6. Lucy, a brave young girl, decides to solve the mystery of the clock tower.
7. There is no legend that the clock tower holds a secret waiting to be discovered.
8. Someone in the town has ventured inside the clock tower to find out the truth.
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 the townspeople believe about the clock tower?
– The townspeople believed that the clock tower held a secret waiting to be discovered.

2. What did Lucy find inside the clock tower?
– Lucy found an ancient map inside the clock tower.

3. What did Lucy decide to do with the treasure she found?
– Lucy decided to use the treasure to set up a charity fund for the needy in Rivertown.

4. How did the town react to Lucy’s discovery?
– The town reacted by coming together and donating to the charity fund.

5. What did the treasure in the cave turn out to be?
– The treasure in the cave turned out to be gold and jewels that had been buried by pirates.

6. What inspired Lucy to use the treasure for a charity fund?
– Lucy was inspired by the story of the pirates who stole from the rich and gave to the poor.

7. How did the town change after Lucy’s discovery?
– The town came together and supported the charity fund, bringing a positive change to Rivertown.

8. What did the clock tower symbolize after Lucy’s act of bravery?
– The clock tower symbolized hope and compassion after Lucy’s act of bravery.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) clock
(2) whisper
(3) brave
(4) stairs
(5) marked
(6) follow
(7) wagged
(8) surprise
(9) admired
(10) stories
(11) given
(12) helping
(13) tower
(14) symbol
(15) shown
(16) heart
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. marveled
Answer: (K) To be filled with wonder or astonishment

2. old-world
Answer: (B) Relating to or characteristic of a past era or time period

3. ventured
Answer: (A) To take a risky or daring journey or action

4. eerie
Answer: (O) Strange and mysterious, often with a sense of unease or fear

5. revealed
Answer: (L) To make something known or visible

6. compartment
Answer: (C) A separate section or space within a larger object or area

7. curiosity
Answer: (G) A strong desire to know or learn something

8. marked
Answer: (J) Indicated or pointed out with a visible sign or symbol

9. underground
Answer: (M) Located or occurring below the surface of the ground

10. glittering
Answer: (N) Shining or sparkling brightly

11. astonished
Answer: (H) Very surprised or amazed

12. long-forgotten
Answer: (F) Forgotten or left behind in the past

13. admired
Answer: (E) To regard with pleasure, respect, or approval

14. divided
Answer: (D) Separated or split into different groups or factions

15. forever
Answer: (I) For all time; eternally
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did Lucy find behind one of the gears in the clock tower?
Answer: (b) A hidden compartment

2. What did Lucy discover when she followed the map?
Answer: (a) A secret underground passage

3. What did Lucy find in the cave?
Answer: (b) Glittering gold and sparkling jewels

4. What did Lucy decide to do with the treasure?
Answer: (c) Set up a charity fund for the needy

5. How did the town react to Lucy’s discovery?
Answer: (c) People started donating to the charity fund

6. What did the treasure symbolize for Lucy?
Answer: (d) The idea of helping others

7. What did Lucy’s discovery bring to Rivertown?
Answer: (d) Unity and compassion

8. What did the clock tower become after Lucy’s discovery?
Answer: (a) A symbol of hope and compassion
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The treasure in the cave is revealed to be the long-forgotten treasure of pirates. (Answer: True)
2. Lucy does not find an ancient map in a hidden compartment behind one of the gears. (Answer: False)
3. The clock tower in Rivertown is known for its beauty and old-world charm. (Answer: True)
4. Uninspired by the pirates’ story, Lucy decides not to use the treasure to set up a charity fund for the needy in Rivertown. (Answer: False)
5. The map leads Lucy to a secret underground passage that leads to a cave filled with treasure. (Answer: True)
6. Lucy, a brave young girl, decides to solve the mystery of the clock tower. (Answer: True)
7. There is no legend that the clock tower holds a secret waiting to be discovered. (Answer: False)
8. Someone in the town has ventured inside the clock tower to find out the truth. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧