In a beautiful forest full of trees and plants, there was a playful squirrel named Sammy. He loved to have fun and explore. One bright morning, while jumping around in the trees, Sammy saw some animals meeting under a big oak tree. He went to see what was happening and found out they were getting ready for a fun race to find a treasure hidden somewhere in the forest.

Sammy was excited and wanted to join in. The race was like a big game with clues and challenges that the animals had to solve to move forward. When the race started, Sammy quickly ran off, facing off against other squirrels, bunnies, and even a smart fox.

On his way through the forest, Sammy had to get past different kinds of tough spots. He had to swing across a river on shaky branches, leap over a slick fallen tree, and crawl through spiky bushes. Even though it was hard, Sammy kept going with a big smile and didn’t give up.

At the end of the race, Sammy found the last clue near a tree where a wise owl named Oliver lived. The treasure was inside the tree, but Oliver wanted to see if Sammy could earn it. Sammy asked Oliver for a chance, and the owl agreed. Sammy used his brain and solved the last challenge. Inside the tree, he found not gold or gems, but a bunch of acorns, which squirrels love very much.

Sammy felt really happy with his acorn treasure, but he also realized that making new friends was even more special. Celebrating with Oliver and the others, Sammy understood that the real fun was the journey and everything he went through to reach the end. After that, Sammy looked forward to every new adventure, ready to learn and make new memories.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who is the main character in the story?
2. What did Sammy see while he was playing in the trees?
3. What did Sammy have to do to join the race?
4. What were some of the challenges Sammy faced during the race?
5. What did Sammy find at the end of the race?
6. How did Sammy feel about his acorn treasure?
7. What did Sammy learn from the race and his adventure?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a beautiful forest full of trees and plants, there was a playful squirrel named Sammy. He loved to have fun and (1)______. One bright morning, while jumping around in the trees, Sammy saw some animals meeting under a big oak tree. He went to see what was (2)______ and found out they were (3)______ ready for a fun race to find a treasure (4)______ somewhere in the forest.

Sammy was excited and wanted to join in. The race was like a big game with clues and challenges that the animals had to solve to move forward. When the race started, Sammy quickly ran off, (5)______ off against other (6)______, bunnies, and even a smart fox.

On his way through the forest, Sammy had to get past different (7)______ of tough spots. He had to swing across a river on shaky branches, leap over a slick (8)______ tree, and crawl through spiky bushes. Even though it was hard, Sammy kept (9)______ with a big smile and didn’t give up.

At the end of the race, Sammy found the last clue near a tree where a wise owl named Oliver lived. The (10)______ was inside the tree, but Oliver wanted to see if Sammy could earn it. Sammy asked Oliver for a (11)______, and the owl agreed. Sammy used his brain and (12)______ the last challenge. Inside the tree, he found not gold or gems, but a bunch of (13)______, which squirrels love very much.

(14)______ felt really (15)______ with his acorn treasure, but he also realized that making new friends was even more special. Celebrating with Oliver and the others, Sammy understood that the real fun was the (16)______ and everything he went through to reach the end. After that, Sammy looked forward to every new adventure, ready to learn and make new memories.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a treasure hunt? Have you ever been on one?
2. How would you feel if you were Sammy and found out about the race? Would you be excited or nervous? Why?
3. Do you like playing games that have clues and challenges? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it’s important to never give up, even when things are hard? Why or why not?
5. How do you think Sammy felt when he found the last clue near Oliver’s tree? Why?
6. Why do you think Sammy was happy with his acorn treasure, even though it wasn’t gold or gems?
7. What do you think Sammy learned from the race and finding the treasure?
8. Have you ever had a journey or experience that was more fun than the end result? Can you tell us about it?
9. How do you feel about making new friends? Is it important to you? Why or why not?
10. Are you excited about trying new things and making new memories? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. playful
2. explore
3. challenges
4. squirrels
5. bunnies
6. spiky
7. tough
8. leap
9. crawl
10. treasure
11. clue
12. wise
13. challenge
14. journey
15. memories

Meanings:
(A) To travel around a place to discover what it’s like
(B) Tasks or problems that test a person’s abilities
(C) Difficult to deal with or to do
(D) Full of fun and liking to play or have a good time
(E) A piece of information that helps solve a mystery or problem
(F) Having a lot of knowledge or good judgment
(G) Something valuable that is hidden and can be searched for
(H) To jump high or a long way
(I) Having sharp, pointed projections
(J) To move slowly with the body close to the ground
(K) Small, fluffy, hopping animals with long ears
(L) A long trip or experience from one place to another
(M) Small, agile tree-dwelling rodents with bushy tails
(N) A task that tests someone’s abilities or determination
(O) Things that you remember from the past
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the playful squirrel in the story?
(a) Sammy
(b) Bobby
(c) Charlie
(d) Tommy

2. Where did Sammy find the animals getting ready for the race?
(a) In a cave
(b) Near a river
(c) Under a big oak tree
(d) On a mountain top

3. What kind of race did the animals participate in?
(a) A race to climb the highest tree
(b) A race to catch the fastest animal
(c) A race to build a treehouse
(d) A race to find a hidden treasure

4. What challenges did Sammy face during the race?
(a) Swinging across a river, leaping over a fallen tree, and crawling through spiky bushes
(b) Climbing a mountain, swimming across a lake, and solving riddles
(c) Running through a maze, balancing on a tightrope, and climbing a wall
(d) Jumping over hurdles, diving into a pool, and riding a bike

5. Where did Sammy find the last clue?
(a) Under a rock by the river
(b) Inside a cave hidden in the forest
(c) On top of a hill overlooking the forest
(d) Near a tree where a wise owl named Oliver lived

6. What did Sammy find inside the tree?
(a) Gold and gems
(b) A secret map
(c) A bunch of acorns
(d) A magical potion

7. What did Sammy realize was more special than the treasure?
(a) Winning the race
(b) Making new friends
(c) Finding the clues
(d) Reaching the end

8. How did Sammy feel at the end of the story?
(a) Disappointed with the outcome of the race
(b) Really happy with his acorn treasure
(c) Frustrated with the challenges he faced
(d) Indifferent about the whole adventure

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Sammy is a playful squirrel who loves to explore in a beautiful forest.
2. The treasure turns out to be a pile of rocks, which disappoints Sammy.
3. Sammy discovers a group of animals preparing for a race to find a hidden treasure.
4. Sammy eventually solves the last challenge with the help of a wise owl named Oliver.
5. Despite the triumphs, Sammy remains disheartened and gives up easily.
6. Sammy eagerly joins the race, competing against other animals like squirrels, bunnies, and a fox.
7. Sammy learns that the real joy comes from being alone and avoiding new friends, and looks forward to future solitude.
8. Throughout the race, Sammy avoids all obstacles, including swinging across a river and crawling through spiky bushes.
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 Sammy, the playful squirrel.

2. What did Sammy see while he was playing in the trees?
While playing in the trees, Sammy saw some animals meeting under a big oak tree.

3. What did Sammy have to do to join the race?
To join the race, Sammy had to go to the meeting spot and express his desire to participate.

4. What were some of the challenges Sammy faced during the race?
Some of the challenges Sammy faced during the race were swinging across a river on shaky branches, leaping over a slick fallen tree, and crawling through spiky bushes.

5. What did Sammy find at the end of the race?
At the end of the race, Sammy found a bunch of acorns, which squirrels love very much.

6. How did Sammy feel about his acorn treasure?
Sammy felt really happy about his acorn treasure.

7. What did Sammy learn from the race and his adventure?
From the race and his adventure, Sammy learned that the real fun was in the journey and the experiences he had along the way. He also learned the value of making new friends and the importance of perseverance.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) explore
(2) happening
(3) getting
(4) hidden
(5) facing
(6) squirrels
(7) kinds
(8) fallen
(9) going
(10) treasure
(11) chance
(12) solved
(13) acorns
(14) Sammy
(15) happy
(16) journey
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. playful
Answer: (D) Full of fun and liking to play or have a good time

2. explore
Answer: (A) To travel around a place to discover what it’s like

3. challenges
Answer: (B) Tasks or problems that test a person’s abilities

4. squirrels
Answer: (M) Small, agile tree-dwelling rodents with bushy tails

5. bunnies
Answer: (K) Small, fluffy, hopping animals with long ears

6. spiky
Answer: (I) Having sharp, pointed projections

7. tough
Answer: (C) Difficult to deal with or to do

8. leap
Answer: (H) To jump high or a long way

9. crawl
Answer: (J) To move slowly with the body close to the ground

10. treasure
Answer: (G) Something valuable that is hidden and can be searched for

11. clue
Answer: (E) A piece of information that helps solve a mystery or problem

12. wise
Answer: (F) Having a lot of knowledge or good judgment

13. challenge
Answer: (N) A task that tests someone’s abilities or determination

14. journey
Answer: (L) A long trip or experience from one place to another

15. memories
Answer: (O) Things that you remember from the past
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the playful squirrel in the story?
Answer: (a) Sammy

2. Where did Sammy find the animals getting ready for the race?
Answer: (c) Under a big oak tree

3. What kind of race did the animals participate in?
Answer: (d) A race to find a hidden treasure

4. What challenges did Sammy face during the race?
Answer: (a) Swinging across a river, leaping over a fallen tree, and crawling through spiky bushes

5. Where did Sammy find the last clue?
Answer: (d) Near a tree where a wise owl named Oliver lived

6. What did Sammy find inside the tree?
Answer: (c) A bunch of acorns

7. What did Sammy realize was more special than the treasure?
Answer: (b) Making new friends

8. How did Sammy feel at the end of the story?
Answer: (b) Really happy with his acorn treasure
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Sammy is a playful squirrel who loves to explore in a beautiful forest. (Answer: True)
2. The treasure turns out to be a pile of rocks, which disappoints Sammy. (Answer: False)
3. Sammy discovers a group of animals preparing for a race to find a hidden treasure. (Answer: True)
4. Sammy eventually solves the last challenge with the help of a wise owl named Oliver. (Answer: True)
5. Despite the triumphs, Sammy remains disheartened and gives up easily. (Answer: False)
6. Sammy eagerly joins the race, competing against other animals like squirrels, bunnies, and a fox. (Answer: True)
7. Sammy learns that the real joy comes from being alone and avoiding new friends, and looks forward to future solitude. (Answer: False)
8. Throughout the race, Sammy avoids all obstacles, including swinging across a river and crawling through spiky bushes. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧