Paul Holmes -
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The Cupcake Castle Caper

In the magical land of Sprinkleville, a mischievous gnome named Minty Mischief plots to steal all the cupcakes from the famous cupcake castle, but a young girl named Ella is determined to stop him and save the town from chaos.

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In a magical place called Sprinkleville, there was a castle made of cupcakes. The cupcakes were colorful and had lots of sprinkles on top. A small gnome named Minty Mischief loved sweets so much that he decided to steal the cupcakes because they smelled so good.

Minty dressed up like Crumbly Confection, the cupcake chef, and made some cupcakes that tasted salty instead of sweet. The people in the town didn’t understand why the cupcakes were different and were very confused. While everyone was busy trying to figure out what happened, Minty was thinking of a new plan to take even more cupcakes.

The town really missed the good cupcakes and wanted them back. A girl named Ella, who was really good at smelling things, decided to help find out what was going on. Her amazing sense of smell took her to where Minty was hiding, which was under a special peppermint bush.

Ella saw Minty using a special machine to take the cupcakes without being caught. She quietly grabbed some cold water and waited for the right moment. When Minty tried to take another cupcake, Ella threw the water on him and washed off his disguise. Now everyone knew it was Minty who took the cupcakes and they were surprised but happy to know the truth.

Minty said he was sorry for taking the cupcakes and causing trouble. The people forgave him when he promised to use his magic to make more cupcakes. Working with Ella, they made the best cupcakes Sprinkleville had ever tasted. Everyone was happy again.

This adventure taught Sprinkleville a lesson about being honest. It showed them it’s important to take care of what they love and work together when there’s a problem. After this, they had an even bigger reason to enjoy cupcakes and to value trust and honesty. With the smell of new cupcakes in the air, the people of Sprinkleville felt joy and laughter once again, making their town the happiest place ever.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1magicalSomething that seems to have special powers and is very enchanting
2gnomeA small mythical creature that is often thought to live underground
3disguisedChanged appearance to hide identity
4confectionA sweet dessert or candy
5saltyHaving a taste that is sharp and not sweet, like the taste of the sea
6confusedNot able to understand something or feeling uncertain
7peppermintA plant with a fresh, sharp taste often used in candy and gum
8machineA device designed to perform a specific task
9disguiseA costume or outfit that hides who you are
10forgavePardoned someone and stopped feeling angry or resentful for an offense
11adventureAn exciting and risky journey or experience
12honestBeing truthful and not lying or stealing
13valueTo consider something as important or beneficial
14laughterThe sound of someone laughing
15joyA feeling of great happiness or pleasure

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who was Minty Mischief and why did he want to steal the cupcakes?
2. How did Minty disguise himself as Crumbly Confection?
3. Why were the people in the town confused about the cupcakes?
4. How did Ella use her sense of smell to find Minty?
5. What did Ella do to reveal Minty’s true identity?
6. How did the people react when they found out it was Minty who took the cupcakes?
7. What lesson did Sprinkleville learn from this adventure?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a (1)______ place called Sprinkleville, there was a castle made of cupcakes. The cupcakes were colorful and had lots of sprinkles on top. A small gnome named Minty Mischief loved sweets so much that he decided to steal the cupcakes because they (2)______ so good.

Minty (3)______ up like Crumbly (4)______, the cupcake chef, and made some cupcakes that tasted salty instead of sweet. The people in the town didn’t understand why the cupcakes were different and were very confused. While everyone was busy trying to figure out what happened, (5)______ was thinking of a new plan to take even more cupcakes.

The town really (6)______ the good cupcakes and wanted them back. A girl named Ella, who was really good at smelling things, (7)______ to help find out what was going on. Her amazing (8)______ of smell took her to where Minty was hiding, which was under a special peppermint bush.

Ella saw Minty using a special machine to take the cupcakes without being caught. She quietly grabbed some cold (9)______ and waited for the right (10)______. When Minty tried to take another (11)______, Ella threw the water on him and washed off his disguise. Now everyone knew it was Minty who took the cupcakes and they were surprised but happy to know the truth.

Minty said he was sorry for (12)______ the cupcakes and causing trouble. The people forgave him when he promised to use his magic to make more cupcakes. Working with Ella, they made the best (13)______ Sprinkleville had ever tasted. Everyone was happy again.

This adventure taught Sprinkleville a lesson about being (14)______. It showed them it’s important to take care of what they love and work together when there’s a problem. After this, they had an even bigger reason to enjoy cupcakes and to value trust and honesty. With the smell of new cupcakes in the air, the (15)______ of Sprinkleville felt joy and laughter once again, making their town the (16)______ place ever.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your favorite sweet treat and why?
2. How would you feel if someone stole your favorite food?
3. Do you think it’s important to be honest? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever had a problem that you had to work together with others to solve? Can you tell us about it?
5. What do you think the people in Sprinkleville learned from this adventure?
6. How do you think the people felt when they found out Minty was the one who took the cupcakes?
7. Do you like cupcakes? Why or why not?
8. If you were Ella, would you forgive Minty for taking the cupcakes? Why or why not?
9. How do you think the people of Sprinkleville felt when they tasted the new cupcakes?
10. What is something you love and would want to take care of? Why is it important to you?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. magical
2. gnome
3. disguised
4. confection
5. salty
6. confused
7. peppermint
8. machine
9. disguise
10. forgave
11. adventure
12. honest
13. value
14. laughter
15. joy

Meanings:
(A) The sound of someone laughing
(B) An exciting and risky journey or experience
(C) A small mythical creature that is often thought to live underground
(D) To consider something as important or beneficial
(E) A plant with a fresh, sharp taste often used in candy and gum
(F) Changed appearance to hide identity
(G) A costume or outfit that hides who you are
(H) Having a taste that is sharp and not sweet, like the taste of the sea
(I) Not able to understand something or feeling uncertain
(J) A sweet dessert or candy
(K) Being truthful and not lying or stealing
(L) A device designed to perform a specific task
(M) A feeling of great happiness or pleasure
(N) Pardoned someone and stopped feeling angry or resentful for an offense
(O) Something that seems to have special powers and is very enchanting
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did Minty Mischief dress up as to steal the cupcakes?
(a) Crumbly Confection
(b) Sweet Tooth
(c) Cupcake King
(d) Sprinkle Master

2. How did Ella find out where Minty was hiding?
(a) Her sense of taste
(b) Her sense of smell
(c) Her sense of sight
(d) Her sense of hearing

3. What did Ella throw on Minty to reveal his true identity?
(a) Cold water
(b) Hot chocolate
(c) Sticky syrup
(d) Sour lemon juice

4. What did Minty promise to do after being caught?
(a) Steal more cupcakes
(b) Use his magic to make more cupcakes
(c) Leave Sprinkleville forever
(d) Apologize to everyone in town

5. What lesson did Sprinkleville learn from this adventure?
(a) The joy of eating cupcakes
(b) The power of magic
(c) The importance of honesty
(d) The value of friendship

6. How did the people of Sprinkleville feel after the cupcakes were returned?
(a) Angry
(b) Sad
(c) Happy
(d) Confused

7. What made the cupcakes in Sprinkleville special?
(a) They were colorful and had sprinkles
(b) They were made by Minty Mischief
(c) They were hidden under a peppermint bush
(d) They were made of cupcakes

8. How did the people of Sprinkleville react when they found out Minty had taken the cupcakes?
(a) Angry and unforgiving
(b) Sad and disappointed
(c) Indifferent and uncaring
(d) Surprised but forgiving

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. To carry out his plan, Minty disguised himself as Crumbly Confection, the cupcake chef, and made salty cupcakes that confused the townspeople.
2. Together, Minty and Ella created the most disgusting cupcakes Sprinkleville had ever tasted, destroying happiness and trust in the town.
3. In Sprinkleville, there was a castle made entirely of rotten cupcakes, which were dull and covered in dirt.
4. Ella discovered Minty’s hiding spot under a special peppermint bush and witnessed him using a machine to steal more cupcakes.
5. With a clumsy move, Ella threw cold water on Minty, hiding his true identity from everyone in the town.
6. Minty Mischief, a mischievous gnome, decided to steal the cupcakes because he had an insatiable love for sweets.
7. Ella, a girl with an exceptional sense of smell, took it upon herself to uncover the mystery and find out what happened to the cupcakes.
8. Minty refused to apologize for his actions and promised to use his magic to make fewer cupcakes, earning resentment from the townspeople.
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 was Minty Mischief and why did he want to steal the cupcakes?
Minty Mischief was a small gnome who loved sweets. He wanted to steal the cupcakes because they smelled so good and he couldn’t resist their deliciousness.

2. How did Minty disguise himself as Crumbly Confection?
Minty dressed up like Crumbly Confection, the cupcake chef. He put on a chef’s hat and apron and pretended to be the real cupcake chef.

3. Why were the people in the town confused about the cupcakes?
The people in the town were confused because the cupcakes tasted salty instead of sweet. They couldn’t understand why the cupcakes suddenly changed and were not as delicious as before.

4. How did Ella use her sense of smell to find Minty?
Ella had an amazing sense of smell, so she followed the scent of the cupcakes to find Minty. Her nose led her to the special peppermint bush where Minty was hiding.

5. What did Ella do to reveal Minty’s true identity?
Ella waited for the right moment and then threw cold water on Minty. The water washed off his disguise, revealing that he was actually Minty and not the real cupcake chef.

6. How did the people react when they found out it was Minty who took the cupcakes?
The people were surprised but happy to know the truth. They forgave Minty when he apologized and promised to use his magic to make more cupcakes.

7. What lesson did Sprinkleville learn from this adventure?
Sprinkleville learned the importance of honesty. They realized that it’s important to take care of what they love and to work together when there’s a problem. They also learned to value trust and honesty in their community.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) magical
(2) smelled
(3) dressed
(4) Confection
(5) Minty
(6) missed
(7) decided
(8) sense
(9) water
(10) moment
(11) cupcake
(12) taking
(13) cupcakes
(14) honest
(15) people
(16) happiest
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. magical
Answer: (O) Something that seems to have special powers and is very enchanting

2. gnome
Answer: (C) A small mythical creature that is often thought to live underground

3. disguised
Answer: (F) Changed appearance to hide identity

4. confection
Answer: (J) A sweet dessert or candy

5. salty
Answer: (H) Having a taste that is sharp and not sweet, like the taste of the sea

6. confused
Answer: (I) Not able to understand something or feeling uncertain

7. peppermint
Answer: (E) A plant with a fresh, sharp taste often used in candy and gum

8. machine
Answer: (L) A device designed to perform a specific task

9. disguise
Answer: (G) A costume or outfit that hides who you are

10. forgave
Answer: (N) Pardoned someone and stopped feeling angry or resentful for an offense

11. adventure
Answer: (B) An exciting and risky journey or experience

12. honest
Answer: (K) Being truthful and not lying or stealing

13. value
Answer: (D) To consider something as important or beneficial

14. laughter
Answer: (A) The sound of someone laughing

15. joy
Answer: (M) A feeling of great happiness or pleasure
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did Minty Mischief dress up as to steal the cupcakes?
Answer: (a) Crumbly Confection

2. How did Ella find out where Minty was hiding?
Answer: (b) Her sense of smell

3. What did Ella throw on Minty to reveal his true identity?
Answer: (a) Cold water

4. What did Minty promise to do after being caught?
Answer: (b) Use his magic to make more cupcakes

5. What lesson did Sprinkleville learn from this adventure?
Answer: (c) The importance of honesty

6. How did the people of Sprinkleville feel after the cupcakes were returned?
Answer: (c) Happy

7. What made the cupcakes in Sprinkleville special?
Answer: (d) They were made of cupcakes

8. How did the people of Sprinkleville react when they found out Minty had taken the cupcakes?
Answer: (d) Surprised but forgiving
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. To carry out his plan, Minty disguised himself as Crumbly Confection, the cupcake chef, and made salty cupcakes that confused the townspeople. (Answer: True)
2. Together, Minty and Ella created the most disgusting cupcakes Sprinkleville had ever tasted, destroying happiness and trust in the town. (Answer: False)
3. In Sprinkleville, there was a castle made entirely of rotten cupcakes, which were dull and covered in dirt. (Answer: False)
4. Ella discovered Minty’s hiding spot under a special peppermint bush and witnessed him using a machine to steal more cupcakes. (Answer: True)
5. With a clumsy move, Ella threw cold water on Minty, hiding his true identity from everyone in the town. (Answer: False)
6. Minty Mischief, a mischievous gnome, decided to steal the cupcakes because he had an insatiable love for sweets. (Answer: True)
7. Ella, a girl with an exceptional sense of smell, took it upon herself to uncover the mystery and find out what happened to the cupcakes. (Answer: True)
8. Minty refused to apologize for his actions and promised to use his magic to make fewer cupcakes, earning resentment from the townspeople. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 3 stories?

George and his grape friends escape the vineyard, overcoming obstacles and finding a world full of adventures.

The Great Grape Escape

George the grape and his friends escape from the vineyard, facing obstacles and making new friends along the way.

The Ice Cream Island

Johnny’s adventure to Ice Cream Island taught everyone the importance of sharing and kindness.

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