English Online with Speak Method

Learn English: ESL Intermediate Story

The Small Turtle 1. This small turtle lives in an ideal environment at the San Diego Zoo. He has everything he wants, and does not have to worry about predators. Because he is not large, he cannot see far enough to know that he is in a zoo. In fact, to him, the land and water around him might seem immense. To the visitors at the zoo, it looks like a small pool. 2. Many people think that turtles are not energetic because they move slowly and sleep a lot in the sunshine. However, from a turtle's outlook, each movement on land takes considerable energy because they have to carry their shells and move their short legs. Sometimes, a turtle has to be verypersistent to climb from a stream bed onto a large rock. Such a change in location can require ongoing effort.  3. As everyone knows, turtles have a unique method of escaping from predators. They hide their head and legs inside their shell. Perhaps some predators wonder if the turtle has become a rock. This method allows them to move slowly without being at too much risk. The turtle knows that an escape route is always within reach!
Answer the Questions:
1. What would be the best title for this story? A. A San Diego Zoo Turtle B. Through a Turtle's Eyes C. Turtles in Their Shells D. A Turtle by a Pool 2. What is an OPINION, not a fact? A. Turtles are more unique than other animals. B. Turtles are able to escape into their shells. C. Sometimes it takes a turtle a long time to climb onto a rock. D. This turtle lives at the San Diego Zoo.  3. What does ideal mean? A. very big B. perfect C. trying hard D. original 4. What does persistent mean? A. very big B. perfect C. trying hard D. original		5. What does unique mean? A. very big B. perfect C. trying hard D. original 6. What does immense mean? A. very big B. continuous C. being active D. perfect 7. What does ongoing mean? A. very big B. continuous C. being active D. perfect 8. What does energetic mean? A. very big B. continuous C. being active D. perfect

answers: 1. b, 2. a, 3. b, 4. c, 5. d, 6. a, 7. b, 8. c