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Reading Comprehension and graded activities Pre-Intermediate Teens

Grammar: Simple Past irregular- past progressive, passive, relative clauses

If you havent heard of Big Corn Island in the Caribbean Sea, you may find this story quite
interesting. First of all, its a beautiful place. Many people say that paradise is found on
Corn Island, and I think they are right. It is full of palm and fruit trees and is surrounded by
white beaches and deep blue water. But the history of the island, filled with mystery and
adventure, is what makes Big Corn island a special place. History tells us that in the 17th
century the island was a great place for pirates and buccaneers. There were a number of
shipwrecks, and people believe that some treasures still lieay scattered along the shores.
A 400-year-old Spanish ship, which lies under water at Waula Point, keeps the hope of a
hidden treasure alive.
I went to Big Corn Island with a group of students last summer for our annual trip. The
weather was extremely hot, but we decided to explore the island anyway. We divided up
into three groups: one group, led by John, would visit the Spanish wreck; a second group,
led by Glenda, would try to find some unusual objects among the rocks under the sea;
and the third group would see the coral formation called Blowing Rock with me. At 5 p.m.
everybody had to be back and get ready for dinner.
At dinner time everyone was silent. Nobody talked about the excursions or activities on
the island. Neither did I. Finally Glenda broke the silence and said: We were swimming
when we saw two people rowing, but there was NO boat! John didnt seem surprised and
added, Maybe we are all having visions, because we saw two people appearing and
disappearing." I nodded and said, And we were looking at the beautiful coral formations
when we saw a car with no wheels crossing the sea!"
A very polite man who was sitting near us came up to us and introduced himself as Dr
Lemark, a scientist from a well-known institute of technology. He explained that inside a
pyramid near the sea there was a high tech lab. The people we saw were scientists trying
out their inventions. The scientist went on to explain the facts, not visions, that we had
experienced earlier in the afternoon. The pop-up man John saw was actually wearing an
optical camouflage coat that makes anyone wearing it seem to disappear. The "invisible
boat" was actually a transparent kayak, designed for observing underwater life while
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rowing. And the "flying car" was an innovative vehicle that turns into a boat for crossing
rivers and lakes. Finally, we all laughed and went on talking with this amazing inventor for
hours. Then we all agreed that the treasure we found in Corn island was meeting this
wonderful man and having the chance to experience the future before it happens.
A Reading Comprehension activity 1
Order the sentences according to what you read.
1 ___ The three students got together for dinner, but everybody was quiet.
2 ___ A group of students visited the island on their annual school trip.
3 ___ Pirates and bucanneers looked for hidden treasure in the shipwrecks in the 17th c.
4 ___ A scientist provided a logical explanation to the strange events the students saw on
different parts of the island.
5 a Big Corn is a beautiful island. in Nicaragua.
6 ___The school kids, divided into three groups, saw strange events while exploring the island.
7 ___ The students explored the island in spite of the hot weather.
8 ____ The students were glad to know about Dr Lemarks inventions and they all enjoyed talking
with him.
B.More challenging activity
1 Read and find the words that describe:
1 the island: beautiful, mysterious.
2 the vegetation: full of ________
3 the waters: ____
4 the beaches: ____
5 Spanish shipwreck: ____
6 The weather: _____
7 Dinner time: _____
8 Dr Lemark: ______
2 Complete the three strange events the students saw while exploring the island.
9 A man was ______________

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10 Two people were ____________ and _________

11 A car with no wheels was _______________
12 Later Dr Lemark ____ the students a reasonable explanation to the strange events.

C Most challenging activity

Write the mystery and the logical explanation to the three mysterious events.
Dear Mr Mansfield,

We are in Big Corn island in Nicaragua. It is one of the most beautiful islands Ive ever seen.
As a science teacher youll be very interested in what Im going to tell you.
Last weekend we were (1)______the island, divided in three groups. As you can imagine,
John wanted to see the (2)______ buried for 400 years underwater, so we all went there
when we saw two people (3)_____ and (4)______ as if they were ghosts. You must think we
all lost our minds, but Glenda who was in another group, saw two people (5)______ but
without a (6)_______. Youll certainly believe our teacher who saw a car without
wheels(7)_____ the sea.
Later, at dinner, a polite scientist approached us. Can you believe that there is a (8)____on
this island where scientists, led by Dr Lemark, try out their futuristic inventions?
John was glad to know the people were not disappearing but just wearing an optical (9)____
____ which gives the impression the person wearing it vanishes into thin air. Glenda was
very interested in Dr Lermarks details about the new transparent (10)____ designed to see
(11)_____ life. And our teacher was more than happy when he realized he had seen a car
which automatically transformed itself into a (12)____ to cross rivers and lakes.
I think you should pack your bags and travel to Big Corn island. Youve got to see this!
With best regards,
Antonio

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Scroll down to see the answer key

Answer Key
Activity 1
1f
2c
3b
4g
5a
6e
7d
8h
Activity 2
1 mystery
2 palm, fruit trees
3 deep blue
4 white
5 400-year-old
6 extremely hot
7 silent
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8 polite
9 rowing with no boat
10 appearing and disappearing
11 crossing the sea
12 gave
Activity 3
1 exploring
2 shipwreck
3 appearing
4 disappearing
5 rowing
6 boat
7 crossing
8 laboratory
9 camouflage coat
10 kayak
11 undersea
12 boat

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