Instructions
Read the story carefully and then answer all the questions in each section. Try your best!
Section 1: Read the Story
Leo's Sparkling Secret
Leo was playing happily in his back garden. Suddenly, he saw something sparkling under a big green leaf. He carefully crept closer to see what it was. It was a smooth, grey stone that glittered with tiny purple specks. When Leo picked it up, it felt wonderfully warm in his hand.
"Wow, it's magical!" Leo whispered to himself. That night, he put the stone on his bedside table. In the dark room, the stone glowed softly and hummed a quiet tune. Leo felt a thrill of pure excitement. This would be his very own special secret.
Section 2: Comprehension Questions
Answer the questions below in full sentences.
- 1. Where did Leo find the sparkling stone?
- 2. What colour were the specks on the stone?
- 3. What two magical things did the stone do at night?
- 4. What did Leo decide the stone would be?
Section 3: Wonderful Words (Adverbs)
An adverb is a word that tells you more about a verb (an action word). It often tells you how an action is done. Many adverbs end in -ly.
A) Circle the adverb in each sentence.
- Leo was playing happily in his garden.
- He carefully crept closer.
- The stone glowed softly in the dark.
B) Finish the sentences using an adverb from the box.
- 1. The dog barked ____________ at the postman.
- 2. She picked up the kitten ____________.
- 3. "We have to go now," said Mum, walking ___________ to the car.
Section 4: Write a Blurb!
A blurb is a short description on the back of a book to make people want to read it. Write a blurb for "Leo's Sparkling Secret".
Section 5: Tense Detectives
Read the sentences. Write if they are in the past tense (it already happened) or present tense (it is happening now). Then, rewrite the sentence in the other tense.
- 1. Leo plays in the garden.
Tense: _______________
Rewrite in past tense:
- 2. The stone felt warm.
Tense: _______________
Rewrite in present tense:
Section 6: Punctuation Power
A) Speech Marks (" ")
Add speech marks to show where Leo is talking.
Wow, it's magical! whispered Leo.
B) Apostrophes (')
1. An apostrophe can show that something belongs to someone. Add an apostrophe to this sentence.
This was Leos secret stone.
2. An apostrophe can join two words together. Rewrite the underlined words using an apostrophe.
It is a magical stone. _______________ a magical stone.
Answer Key
Section 2: Comprehension Questions
- Leo found the sparkling stone in his back garden under a big green leaf.
- The specks on the stone were purple.
- At night, the stone glowed softly and hummed a quiet tune.
- Leo decided the stone would be his special secret.
Section 3: Wonderful Words (Adverbs)
A) 1. happily, 2. carefully, 3. softly
B) 1. loudly, 2. gently, 3. quickly
Section 4: Write a Blurb!
Answers will vary. Example: Leo is just a normal boy playing in his garden, until he finds something amazing! A mysterious, sparkling stone that glows in the dark. What other magic does it hold? Read on to discover Leo's sparkling secret!
Section 5: Tense Detectives
- Tense: present tense. Rewrite: Leo played in the garden.
- Tense: past tense. Rewrite: The stone feels warm.
Section 6: Punctuation Power
A) "Wow, it's magical!" whispered Leo.
B) 1. This was Leo's secret stone.
B) 2. It's a magical stone.