There was a girl named Bella who loved going on adventures. One day when the sun was shining, she went into her backyard and saw a big, colorful hot air balloon. Bella couldn’t help but climb into it for a fun ride in the sky. As she went higher and higher, she laughed, without knowing that something unexpected was about to happen.

While Bella was up in the air, she saw a small squirrel on the edge of the basket eating a nut. Suddenly, the squirrel dropped its nut and ran off, making the balloon rock side to side. Bella held on tight, feeling nervous. Then, a strong wind blew the balloon faster, and she went flying over the city, still laughing loud.

While flying, Bella saw an amazing view from the clouds and enjoyed the quiet. But then, out of nowhere, a group of loud seagulls started flying around the balloon. They wanted to play with Bella, and she tried to shoo them away. This turned into a funny chase, and Bella couldn’t stop laughing.

The wind changed, and the balloon moved toward a big forest. It touched the trees and scared animals who ran away. Bella was surprised to see monkeys in the trees. They were copying her excited movements. Bella found it so funny as the monkeys swung from the vines and made faces at her.

Just when Bella was getting ready to land, the wind blew her balloon even higher. She felt like a superhero way above the clouds and loved how big the sky was. At last, the balloon slowly came down and landed with a gentle bump in her backyard. Bella got out, feeling happy and thankful for her amazing trip. She learned that sometimes things can be scary and fun at the same time, like the squirrel, the seagulls, and the monkeys who made her ride special. With a big smile, Bella promised to enjoy all the moments in life, even the simple days that turn into great adventures.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who is the main character in the story?
2. What did Bella find in her backyard?
3. How did Bella feel when the squirrel made the balloon rock?
4. What happened when the wind blew the balloon faster?
5. What did Bella see when she was flying in the balloon?
6. What did the seagulls want to do with Bella?
7. What did Bella learn from her adventure in the hot air balloon?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

There was a girl named Bella who loved (1)______ on adventures. One day when the sun was (2)______, she went into her backyard and saw a big, (3)______ hot air balloon. Bella couldn’t help but climb into it for a fun ride in the sky. As she went higher and higher, she laughed, without knowing that something unexpected was about to happen.

While Bella was up in the air, she saw a small squirrel on the edge of the (4)______ eating a nut. Suddenly, the squirrel dropped its nut and ran off, making the balloon rock side to side. Bella held on tight, feeling nervous. Then, a strong wind blew the balloon faster, and she went flying over the city, still laughing loud.

While flying, Bella saw an amazing view from the (5)______ and (6)______ the (7)______. But then, out of nowhere, a (8)______ of loud seagulls started flying around the balloon. They wanted to play with Bella, and she tried to shoo them away. This turned into a funny chase, and Bella couldn’t stop (9)______.

The wind changed, and the (10)______ moved toward a big forest. It touched the trees and scared animals who ran away. Bella was surprised to see monkeys in the trees. They were copying her excited movements. Bella found it so funny as the monkeys swung from the vines and made (11)______ at her.

Just when Bella was getting ready to land, the wind blew her balloon even higher. She felt like a (12)______ way above the clouds and loved how big the sky was. At last, the balloon slowly came down and landed with a gentle bump in her backyard. Bella got out, (13)______ happy and thankful for her amazing trip. She learned that sometimes things can be (14)______ and fun at the same time, like the squirrel, the seagulls, and the monkeys who made her ride (15)______. With a big smile, Bella (16)______ to enjoy all the moments in life, even the simple days that turn into great adventures.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is an adventure? Can you think of an adventure you have had?
2. How would you feel if you saw a big, colorful hot air balloon in your backyard?
3. Do you like going on rides? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it would be scary or fun to be in a hot air balloon that is rocking side to side?
5. How do you think Bella felt when she saw the monkeys copying her excited movements?
6. What is something that you find funny? Why does it make you laugh?
7. How would you feel if you were flying in a hot air balloon and suddenly a group of loud seagulls started flying around you?
8. Have you ever been scared and excited at the same time? What happened?
9. Do you think it’s important to enjoy all the moments in life, even the simple ones? Why or why not?
10. Can you think of a time when something unexpected happened to you? How did you feel?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. adventures
2. unexpected
3. nervous
4. amazing
5. quiet
6. seagulls
7. chase
8. forest
9. surprised
10. copying
11. superhero
12. thankful
13. scary
14. special
15. simple

Meanings:
(A) Feeling shocked because something happened that you did not expect
(B) Frightening or causing fear
(C) Large birds that are often found near the sea
(D) Something that happens without warning or planning
(E) So good or impressive it’s hard to believe
(F) A large area covered with trees and plants, often a home for wildlife
(G) Feeling grateful or showing appreciation
(H) To follow someone or something quickly in order to catch them
(I) Exciting experiences that involve risks or challenges
(J) Having little or no noise; peaceful
(K) Not complicated or fancy; basic or ordinary
(L) Feeling anxious or worried about something
(M) A character in stories that has extraordinary powers and does good deeds
(N) Unique and memorable; not ordinary
(O) Imitating someone else’s actions or behavior
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did Bella see in her backyard?
(a) A small squirrel
(b) A group of loud seagulls
(c) Monkeys swinging from the trees
(d) A big, colorful hot air balloon

2. What happened when the squirrel dropped its nut?
(a) Bella started laughing
(b) Bella shooed the squirrel away
(c) The balloon started rocking side to side
(d) The wind blew the balloon faster

3. What did Bella see while flying in the balloon?
(a) A big forest
(b) An amazing view from the clouds
(c) Monkeys swinging from the vines
(d) Seagulls flying around the balloon

4. What did the seagulls want to do with Bella?
(a) Play with her
(b) Shoo her away
(c) Chase her
(d) Scare her

5. What did Bella find funny about the monkeys?
(a) They were copying her excited movements
(b) They were swinging from the vines
(c) They were making faces at her
(d) They were scared of the balloon

6. Where did the wind blow the balloon toward?
(a) The city
(b) A big forest
(c) The clouds
(d) Bella’s backyard

7. How did Bella feel when the balloon was flying higher?
(a) Scared
(b) Nervous
(c) Like a superhero
(d) Excited

8. How did Bella feel when the balloon landed?
(a) Scared and relieved
(b) Surprised and confused
(c) Angry and frustrated
(d) Happy and thankful

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. A group of seagulls interrupted Bella’s peaceful ride and engaged her in a playful chase.
2. The balloon veered towards a forest, startling the animals and surprising Bella with the presence of monkeys.
3. Eventually, the balloon safely landed back in Bella’s backyard, leaving her feeling grateful for the incredible journey.
4. Bella learned to despise both the scary and fun moments in life, avoiding every adventure that comes her way.
5. Bella felt like a regular person as the wind carried her balloon even lower into the sky.
6. Bella discovered a hot air balloon in her backyard and decided to take a ride in it.
7. Bella found herself frowning and hating the underwhelming view while floating in the balloon.
8. Bella found herself surprised by an expected event involving a squirrel.
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. Who is the main character in the story?
The main character in the story is Bella.

2. What did Bella find in her backyard?
Bella found a big, colorful hot air balloon in her backyard.

3. How did Bella feel when the squirrel made the balloon rock?
Bella felt nervous when the squirrel made the balloon rock.

4. What happened when the wind blew the balloon faster?
When the wind blew the balloon faster, Bella went flying over the city.

5. What did Bella see when she was flying in the balloon?
When Bella was flying in the balloon, she saw an amazing view from the clouds.

6. What did the seagulls want to do with Bella?
The seagulls wanted to play with Bella.

7. What did Bella learn from her adventure in the hot air balloon?
Bella learned to enjoy all the moments in life, even the simple days that turn into great adventures.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) going
(2) shining
(3) colorful
(4) basket
(5) clouds
(6) enjoyed
(7) quiet
(8) group
(9) laughing
(10) balloon
(11) faces
(12) superhero
(13) feeling
(14) scary
(15) special
(16) promised
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. adventures
Answer: (I) Exciting experiences that involve risks or challenges

2. unexpected
Answer: (D) Something that happens without warning or planning

3. nervous
Answer: (L) Feeling anxious or worried about something

4. amazing
Answer: (E) So good or impressive it’s hard to believe

5. quiet
Answer: (J) Having little or no noise; peaceful

6. seagulls
Answer: (C) Large birds that are often found near the sea

7. chase
Answer: (H) To follow someone or something quickly in order to catch them

8. forest
Answer: (F) A large area covered with trees and plants, often a home for wildlife

9. surprised
Answer: (A) Feeling shocked because something happened that you did not expect

10. copying
Answer: (O) Imitating someone else’s actions or behavior

11. superhero
Answer: (M) A character in stories that has extraordinary powers and does good deeds

12. thankful
Answer: (G) Feeling grateful or showing appreciation

13. scary
Answer: (B) Frightening or causing fear

14. special
Answer: (N) Unique and memorable; not ordinary

15. simple
Answer: (K) Not complicated or fancy; basic or ordinary
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did Bella see in her backyard?
Answer: (d) A big, colorful hot air balloon

2. What happened when the squirrel dropped its nut?
Answer: (c) The balloon started rocking side to side

3. What did Bella see while flying in the balloon?
Answer: (b) An amazing view from the clouds

4. What did the seagulls want to do with Bella?
Answer: (a) Play with her

5. What did Bella find funny about the monkeys?
Answer: (a) They were copying her excited movements

6. Where did the wind blow the balloon toward?
Answer: (b) A big forest

7. How did Bella feel when the balloon was flying higher?
Answer: (c) Like a superhero

8. How did Bella feel when the balloon landed?
Answer: (d) Happy and thankful
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. A group of seagulls interrupted Bella’s peaceful ride and engaged her in a playful chase. (Answer: True)
2. The balloon veered towards a forest, startling the animals and surprising Bella with the presence of monkeys. (Answer: True)
3. Eventually, the balloon safely landed back in Bella’s backyard, leaving her feeling grateful for the incredible journey. (Answer: True)
4. Bella learned to despise both the scary and fun moments in life, avoiding every adventure that comes her way. (Answer: False)
5. Bella felt like a regular person as the wind carried her balloon even lower into the sky. (Answer: False)
6. Bella discovered a hot air balloon in her backyard and decided to take a ride in it. (Answer: True)
7. Bella found herself frowning and hating the underwhelming view while floating in the balloon. (Answer: False)
8. Bella found herself surprised by an expected event involving a squirrel. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧