In the middle of the African savannah lived a special antelope named Amber. Her coat shined like gold, and she could run faster than the wind. Other animals admired her speed, but Amber also had a playful side that sometimes got her into funny trouble.

One bright morning, while she was practicing her running, Amber saw a group of animals near a big tree. Curious, she ran over to see what was happening. “What’s going on?” she asked excitedly. Tilly the tortoise, wearing tiny glasses, replied, “We’re planning a race, but we need someone special to join!” Amber loved adventures and immediately agreed. “A race? I’m in!” she laughed, thinking about how fast she could run.

On race day, all the animals gathered to watch. The racers included an old elephant, a speedy rabbit, and Tilly the tortoise. Amber felt confident. “I’ll win before anyone can say ‘fast antelope’!” she boasted, making everyone laugh. As soon as the race began, Amber sped off like lightning. But she didn’t see Ziggy the zebra, who planned a prank.

Ziggy slyly stepped in front of Amber. “Oops! My bad!” he teased as Amber stumbled and fell into a bush. Instead of getting mad, Amber laughed loudly. “That was surprising! But I’m still going to win!” she said, shaking off the leaves. With determination, she got back on the track and ran even faster.

As the race went on, Amber found it challenging. The elephant was quicker than he looked, and the rabbit had some smart moves. Realizing she needed a new plan, Amber decided to trick her competitors by running towards a waterfall. Pretending to take a break, she jumped across and splashed them all. In the end, they all crossed the finish line together, laughing. Amber didn’t win, but she had the most fun with her friends. They learned that enjoying the race and supporting each other was more important than winning. Amber became known not just for her speed, but for bringing joy and adventure to everyone.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

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📖 Vocabulary:

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What special qualities did Amber the antelope have that made her stand out among other animals?

2. How did Amber react when she heard about the race from Tilly the tortoise?

3. What prank did Ziggy the zebra play on Amber during the race?

4. How did Amber respond to the challenges she faced during the race?

5. What clever strategy did Amber use to trick her competitors while racing?

6. What lesson did Amber and her friends learn by the end of the race?

7. In what ways did Amber contribute to the fun and enjoyment of the race, even though she didn’t win?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In the middle of the African savannah lived a special antelope named Amber. Her coat shined like gold, and she could run faster than the wind. Other animals admired her speed, but Amber also had a (1)______ side that sometimes got her into funny trouble.

One (2)______ morning, while she was practicing her (3)______, Amber saw a group of animals near a big tree. Curious, she ran over to see what was happening. “What’s going on?” she (4)______ excitedly. Tilly the tortoise, wearing tiny glasses, replied, “We’re planning a race, but we need someone (5)______ to join!” (6)______ loved (7)______ and immediately agreed. “A race? I’m in!” she (8)______ed, thinking about how fast she could run.

On race day, all the animals gathered to watch. The racers included an old elephant, a speedy rabbit, and Tilly the tortoise. Amber felt confident. “I’ll win before anyone can say ‘fast antelope’!” she boasted, making everyone laugh. As soon as the race began, Amber sped off like lightning. But she didn’t see Ziggy the zebra, who (9)______ a prank.

Ziggy slyly stepped in front of Amber. “Oops! My bad!” he teased as Amber (10)______ and fell into a bush. Instead of getting mad, Amber laughed loudly. “That was surprising! But I’m still going to win!” she said, shaking off the leaves. With determination, she got back on the track and ran even faster.

As the race went on, Amber (11)______ it challenging. The elephant was quicker than he looked, and the (12)______ had some smart moves. Realizing she needed a new plan, Amber decided to trick her competitors by running towards a waterfall. (13)______ to take a break, she jumped across and splashed them all. In the end, they all crossed the (14)______ line together, laughing. Amber didn’t win, but she had the most fun with her friends. They (15)______ that enjoying the race and supporting each (16)______ was more important than winning. Amber became known not just for her speed, but for bringing joy and adventure to everyone.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your favorite animal, and why do you like it?

2. How would you feel if you were in a race and someone played a prank on you?

3. Do you think it’s more important to win a race or to have fun with friends? Why?

4. What is a memorable experience you’ve had while competing in something, like a race or a game?

5. How would you feel if you were as fast as Amber? What would you do with your speed?

6. Do you like to plan surprises or pranks for your friends? Why or why not?

7. What is a time you had to come up with a new plan to solve a problem? What did you do?

8. Do you think animals can be as playful and funny as people? Why or why not?

9. How would you feel if you finished a race in last place but had a great time with your friends?

10. What is a lesson you learned from a competition or a game you played? How did it change your perspective?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. savannah
2. antelope
3. admired
4. playful
5. curious
6. adventures
7. confident
8. boasted
9. slyly
10. determination
11. challenging
12. competitors
13. pretending
14. splashed
15. supporting

Meanings:
(A) Talked with too much pride about something
(B) Looked up to or respected
(C) A type of animal that looks like a deer and lives in Africa
(D) Acting as if something is true when it is not
(E) Difficult but interesting
(F) Sure of oneself and one’s abilities
(G) Wanting to know or learn something
(H) Helping and encouraging
(I) Threw water or another liquid in drops or small amounts
(J) People who are trying to win in the same contest
(K) Exciting and unusual experiences
(L) In a sneaky or tricky way
(M) A grassy plain in tropical and subtropical regions, with few trees
(N) The quality of being determined to do something
(O) Full of fun and wanting to play
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the special antelope in the story?
(a) Amber
(b) Tilly
(c) Ziggy
(d) Rabbit

2. What color is Amber’s coat described as?
(a) Silver
(b) Brown
(c) Black
(d) Gold

3. Who was wearing tiny glasses in the story?
(a) Tilly the tortoise
(b) Ziggy the zebra
(c) The rabbit
(d) The elephant

4. What event were the animals planning?
(a) A feast
(b) A party
(c) A race
(d) A concert

5. What prank did Ziggy the zebra play on Amber?
(a) He hid her shoes
(b) He made loud noises
(c) He challenged her to a race
(d) He stepped in front of her

6. How did Amber react when she stumbled and fell into a bush?
(a) She got angry
(b) She cried
(c) She laughed
(d) She gave up

7. What strategy did Amber use during the race?
(a) She ran in circles
(b) She pretended to take a break at the waterfall
(c) She distracted the other animals
(d) She slowed down to let others win

8. What lesson did Amber and her friends learn by the end of the race?
(a) Speed is the most important quality
(b) Enjoying the race is more important than winning
(c) Pranks are a good way to win
(d) Tortoises are the best racers

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Amber devises a clumsy trick during the race by pretending to take a break near a waterfall, splashing her competitors.
2. Amber is a special antelope living in the African savannah, known for her shiny golden coat and incredible speed.
3. During the race, Amber faces an expected challenge when Ziggy the zebra plays a prank on her, causing her to stumble.
4. Although Amber doesn’t win the race, she doesn’t enjoy the experience and emphasizes the importance of victory over friendship and fun.
5. Instead of getting upset, Amber laughs off the incident and continues to compete with determination.
6. One day, Amber avoids a group of animals planning a race and hesitantly decides to join.
7. She has a playful personality that sometimes leads her into amusing situations.
8. The race features various competitors, including an old elephant, a speedy rabbit, and Tilly the tortoise.
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 special qualities did Amber the antelope have that made her stand out among other animals?
Amber had a shiny golden coat and could run faster than the wind, which made her unique and admired by other animals.

2. How did Amber react when she heard about the race from Tilly the tortoise?
Amber was excited and immediately agreed to join the race, loving the idea of an adventure.

3. What prank did Ziggy the zebra play on Amber during the race?
Ziggy stepped in front of Amber, causing her to stumble and fall into a bush, which he teased her about.

4. How did Amber respond to the challenges she faced during the race?
Amber laughed off the prank and showed determination by getting back on track and running even faster despite the challenges.

5. What clever strategy did Amber use to trick her competitors while racing?
Amber pretended to take a break by running towards a waterfall, then jumped across and splashed her competitors.

6. What lesson did Amber and her friends learn by the end of the race?
They learned that enjoying the race and supporting each other was more important than winning.

7. In what ways did Amber contribute to the fun and enjoyment of the race, even though she didn’t win?
Amber brought joy and laughter to the race with her playful spirit, and her clever tricks made the experience fun for everyone involved.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) playful
(2) bright
(3) running
(4) asked
(5) special
(6) Amber
(7) adventures
(8) laugh
(9) planned
(10) stumbled
(11) found
(12) rabbit
(13) Pretending
(14) finish
(15) learned
(16) other
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. savannah
Answer: (M) A grassy plain in tropical and subtropical regions, with few trees

2. antelope
Answer: (C) A type of animal that looks like a deer and lives in Africa

3. admired
Answer: (B) Looked up to or respected

4. playful
Answer: (O) Full of fun and wanting to play

5. curious
Answer: (G) Wanting to know or learn something

6. adventures
Answer: (K) Exciting and unusual experiences

7. confident
Answer: (F) Sure of oneself and one’s abilities

8. boasted
Answer: (A) Talked with too much pride about something

9. slyly
Answer: (L) In a sneaky or tricky way

10. determination
Answer: (N) The quality of being determined to do something

11. challenging
Answer: (E) Difficult but interesting

12. competitors
Answer: (J) People who are trying to win in the same contest

13. pretending
Answer: (D) Acting as if something is true when it is not

14. splashed
Answer: (I) Threw water or another liquid in drops or small amounts

15. supporting
Answer: (H) Helping and encouraging
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the special antelope in the story?
Answer: (a) Amber

2. What color is Amber’s coat described as?
Answer: (d) Gold

3. Who was wearing tiny glasses in the story?
Answer: (a) Tilly the tortoise

4. What event were the animals planning?
Answer: (c) A race

5. What prank did Ziggy the zebra play on Amber?
Answer: (d) He stepped in front of her

6. How did Amber react when she stumbled and fell into a bush?
Answer: (c) She laughed

7. What strategy did Amber use during the race?
Answer: (b) She pretended to take a break at the waterfall

8. What lesson did Amber and her friends learn by the end of the race?
Answer: (b) Enjoying the race is more important than winning
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Amber devises a clumsy trick during the race by pretending to take a break near a waterfall, splashing her competitors. (Answer: False)
2. Amber is a special antelope living in the African savannah, known for her shiny golden coat and incredible speed. (Answer: True)
3. During the race, Amber faces an expected challenge when Ziggy the zebra plays a prank on her, causing her to stumble. (Answer: False)
4. Although Amber doesn’t win the race, she doesn’t enjoy the experience and emphasizes the importance of victory over friendship and fun. (Answer: False)
5. Instead of getting upset, Amber laughs off the incident and continues to compete with determination. (Answer: True)
6. One day, Amber avoids a group of animals planning a race and hesitantly decides to join. (Answer: False)
7. She has a playful personality that sometimes leads her into amusing situations. (Answer: True)
8. The race features various competitors, including an old elephant, a speedy rabbit, and Tilly the tortoise. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧