Reading II term 11th Grade

It was a cold December day in Oxford. Lily was visiting the famous Bodleian Library when she saw a strange shimmer behind a bookshelf.

“I can’t believe my eyes!”, she whispered.

A tall, furry creature with glasses stepped out.

“ Hello, I am Professor Snow. Where on earth have you been? I’ve been waiting for a curious human to help me!” He explained he was studying how snowflakes form, but his machine had malfunctioned. I pressed the wrong button, he admitted, and now my research notes… It vanished into thin air!

Together, they traced a trail of glowing frost to the library’s old clock tower. There, the notes were safely tucked behind a giant frozen gear.

The professor sighed with relief.

“Thank you, Lily! Sometimes even yetis need a little help.”

The professor carefully took the notebook. “

“Sometimes the greatest discoveries are found where you least expect them,” he said, smiling warmly.

“Thank you, Lily. Remember, magic and science often share the same shelf.” Then, with a soft shimmer, he faded into the snowy air, leaving behind only a perfect, sparkling snowflake on the open page of a book.

Lily placed it gently in her pocket, knowing this winter secret was only hers to keep.

1. Where does the story take place?

It was a cold December day in Oxford. Lily was visiting the famous Bodleian Library when she saw a strange shimmer behind a bookshelf.

“I can’t believe my eyes!”, she whispered.

A tall, furry creature with glasses stepped out.

“ Hello, I am Professor Snow. Where on earth have you been? I’ve been waiting for a curious human to help me!” He explained he was studying how snowflakes form, but his machine had malfunctioned. I pressed the wrong button, he admitted, and now my research notes… It vanished into thin air!

Together, they traced a trail of glowing frost to the library’s old clock tower. There, the notes were safely tucked behind a giant frozen gear.

The professor sighed with relief.

“Thank you, Lily! Sometimes even yetis need a little help.”

The professor carefully took the notebook. “

“Sometimes the greatest discoveries are found where you least expect them,” he said, smiling warmly.

“Thank you, Lily. Remember, magic and science often share the same shelf.” Then, with a soft shimmer, he faded into the snowy air, leaving behind only a perfect, sparkling snowflake on the open page of a book.

Lily placed it gently in her pocket, knowing this winter secret was only hers to keep.

2. What unusual thing does Lily notice first?     

Amanda: So, Eric, what do you think other teenagers can learn from your story?

Eric: Many things, actually. You see, I didn’t use to care about fitness at all.

Amanda: When did that change?

Eric: About a year ago. I used to sit on the couch after school, eating chips and soda while playing video games. I barely exercised, and I didn’t realize how unhealthy my lifestyle was until I couldn’t run for five minutes without getting tired.

Amanda: Wow! What made you change your habits?

Eric: My doctor said I needed to be more active after I started gaining weight. I was also feeling sleepy all the time. So, I decided to join a gym and look for ways to eat healthier.

Amanda: That’s great! Did you find it difficult to start?

Eric: At first, yes. But I downloaded an app that tracks my workouts and meals. It’s like a fitness coach in your pocket!

Amanda: Can you give us an example of how it helped?

Eric: Sure! I used to eat sugary cereal every morning, but the app gave me healthier options. Now I eat oatmeal with fruit or scrambled eggs with spinach.

Amanda: That sounds like a big change! Do you still enjoy treats?

Eric: Yes, but in moderation. I have a small dessert, like a fruit smoothie or a piece of dark chocolate, once a week.

What kind of dessert does Eric enjoy as a treat?

Amanda: So, Eric, what do you think other teenagers can learn from your story?

Eric: Many things, actually. You see, I didn’t use to care about fitness at all.

Amanda: When did that change?

Eric: About a year ago. I used to sit on the couch after school, eating chips and soda while playing video games. I barely exercised, and I didn’t realize how unhealthy my lifestyle was until I couldn’t run for five minutes without getting tired.

Amanda: Wow! What made you change your habits?

Eric: My doctor said I needed to be more active after I started gaining weight. I was also feeling sleepy all the time. So, I decided to join a gym and look for ways to eat healthier.

Amanda: That’s great! Did you find it difficult to start?

Eric: At first, yes. But I downloaded an app that tracks my workouts and meals. It’s like a fitness coach in your pocket!

Amanda: Can you give us an example of how it helped?

Eric: Sure! I used to eat sugary cereal every morning, but the app gave me healthier options. Now I eat oatmeal with fruit or scrambled eggs with spinach.

Amanda: That sounds like a big change! Do you still enjoy treats?

Eric: Yes, but in moderation. I have a small dessert, like a fruit smoothie or a piece of dark chocolate, once a week.

How often does Eric allow himself a treat?

Amanda: So, Eric, what do you think other teenagers can learn from your story?

Eric: Many things, actually. You see, I didn’t use to care about fitness at all.

Amanda: When did that change?

Eric: About a year ago. I used to sit on the couch after school, eating chips and soda while playing video games. I barely exercised, and I didn’t realize how unhealthy my lifestyle was until I couldn’t run for five minutes without getting tired.

Amanda: Wow! What made you change your habits?

Eric: My doctor said I needed to be more active after I started gaining weight. I was also feeling sleepy all the time. So, I decided to join a gym and look for ways to eat healthier.

Amanda: That’s great! Did you find it difficult to start?

Eric: At first, yes. But I downloaded an app that tracks my workouts and meals. It’s like a fitness coach in your pocket!

Amanda: Can you give us an example of how it helped?

Eric: Sure! I used to eat sugary cereal every morning, but the app gave me healthier options. Now I eat oatmeal with fruit or scrambled eggs with spinach.

Amanda: That sounds like a big change! Do you still enjoy treats?

Eric: Yes, but in moderation. I have a small dessert, like a fruit smoothie or a piece of dark chocolate, once a week.

What does Eric now eat for breakfast?

Amanda: So, Eric, what do you think other teenagers can learn from your story?

Eric: Many things, actually. You see, I didn’t use to care about fitness at all.

Amanda: When did that change?

Eric: About a year ago. I used to sit on the couch after school, eating chips and soda while playing video games. I barely exercised, and I didn’t realize how unhealthy my lifestyle was until I couldn’t run for five minutes without getting tired.

Amanda: Wow! What made you change your habits?

Eric: My doctor said I needed to be more active after I started gaining weight. I was also feeling sleepy all the time. So, I decided to join a gym and look for ways to eat healthier.

Amanda: That’s great! Did you find it difficult to start?

Eric: At first, yes. But I downloaded an app that tracks my workouts and meals. It’s like a fitness coach in your pocket!

Amanda: Can you give us an example of how it helped?

Eric: Sure! I used to eat sugary cereal every morning, but the app gave me healthier options. Now I eat oatmeal with fruit or scrambled eggs with spinach.

Amanda: That sounds like a big change! Do you still enjoy treats?

Eric: Yes, but in moderation. I have a small dessert, like a fruit smoothie or a piece of dark chocolate, once a week.

What app feature helped Eric improve his breakfast?

Amanda: So, Eric, what do you think other teenagers can learn from your story?

Eric: Many things, actually. You see, I didn’t use to care about fitness at all.

Amanda: When did that change?

Eric: About a year ago. I used to sit on the couch after school, eating chips and soda while playing video games. I barely exercised, and I didn’t realize how unhealthy my lifestyle was until I couldn’t run for five minutes without getting tired.

Amanda: Wow! What made you change your habits?

Eric: My doctor said I needed to be more active after I started gaining weight. I was also feeling sleepy all the time. So, I decided to join a gym and look for ways to eat healthier.

Amanda: That’s great! Did you find it difficult to start?

Eric: At first, yes. But I downloaded an app that tracks my workouts and meals. It’s like a fitness coach in your pocket!

Amanda: Can you give us an example of how it helped?

Eric: Sure! I used to eat sugary cereal every morning, but the app gave me healthier options. Now I eat oatmeal with fruit or scrambled eggs with spinach.

Amanda: That sounds like a big change! Do you still enjoy treats?

Eric: Yes, but in moderation. I have a small dessert, like a fruit smoothie or a piece of dark chocolate, once a week.

What made Eric realize he needed to change his lifestyle?

Amanda: So, Eric, what do you think other teenagers can learn from your story?

Eric: Many things, actually. You see, I didn’t use to care about fitness at all.

Amanda: When did that change?

Eric: About a year ago. I used to sit on the couch after school, eating chips and soda while playing video games. I barely exercised, and I didn’t realize how unhealthy my lifestyle was until I couldn’t run for five minutes without getting tired.

Amanda: Wow! What made you change your habits?

Eric: My doctor said I needed to be more active after I started gaining weight. I was also feeling sleepy all the time. So, I decided to join a gym and look for ways to eat healthier.

Amanda: That’s great! Did you find it difficult to start?

Eric: At first, yes. But I downloaded an app that tracks my workouts and meals. It’s like a fitness coach in your pocket!

Amanda: Can you give us an example of how it helped?

Eric: Sure! I used to eat sugary cereal every morning, but the app gave me healthier options. Now I eat oatmeal with fruit or scrambled eggs with spinach.

Amanda: That sounds like a big change! Do you still enjoy treats?

Eric: Yes, but in moderation. I have a small dessert, like a fruit smoothie or a piece of dark chocolate, once a week.

What did Eric do after school before changing his habits?

Amanda: So, Eric, what do you think other teenagers can learn from your story?

Eric: Many things, actually. You see, I didn’t use to care about fitness at all.

Amanda: When did that change?

Eric: About a year ago. I used to sit on the couch after school, eating chips and soda while playing video games. I barely exercised, and I didn’t realize how unhealthy my lifestyle was until I couldn’t run for five minutes without getting tired.

Amanda: Wow! What made you change your habits?

Eric: My doctor said I needed to be more active after I started gaining weight. I was also feeling sleepy all the time. So, I decided to join a gym and look for ways to eat healthier.

Amanda: That’s great! Did you find it difficult to start?

Eric: At first, yes. But I downloaded an app that tracks my workouts and meals. It’s like a fitness coach in your pocket!

Amanda: Can you give us an example of how it helped?

Eric: Sure! I used to eat sugary cereal every morning, but the app gave me healthier options. Now I eat oatmeal with fruit or scrambled eggs with spinach.

Amanda: That sounds like a big change! Do you still enjoy treats?

Eric: Yes, but in moderation. I have a small dessert, like a fruit smoothie or a piece of dark chocolate, once a week.

Eric allows himself a small treat once a week.

Amanda: So, Eric, what do you think other teenagers can learn from your story?

Eric: Many things, actually. You see, I didn’t use to care about fitness at all.

Amanda: When did that change?

Eric: About a year ago. I used to sit on the couch after school, eating chips and soda while playing video games. I barely exercised, and I didn’t realize how unhealthy my lifestyle was until I couldn’t run for five minutes without getting tired.

Amanda: Wow! What made you change your habits?

Eric: My doctor said I needed to be more active after I started gaining weight. I was also feeling sleepy all the time. So, I decided to join a gym and look for ways to eat healthier.

Amanda: That’s great! Did you find it difficult to start?

Eric: At first, yes. But I downloaded an app that tracks my workouts and meals. It’s like a fitness coach in your pocket!

Amanda: Can you give us an example of how it helped?

Eric: Sure! I used to eat sugary cereal every morning, but the app gave me healthier options. Now I eat oatmeal with fruit or scrambled eggs with spinach.

Amanda: That sounds like a big change! Do you still enjoy treats?

Eric: Yes, but in moderation. I have a small dessert, like a fruit smoothie or a piece of dark chocolate, once a week.

Eric exercises to prepare for a basketball team.

Amanda: So, Eric, what do you think other teenagers can learn from your story?

Eric: Many things, actually. You see, I didn’t use to care about fitness at all.

Amanda: When did that change?

Eric: About a year ago. I used to sit on the couch after school, eating chips and soda while playing video games. I barely exercised, and I didn’t realize how unhealthy my lifestyle was until I couldn’t run for five minutes without getting tired.

Amanda: Wow! What made you change your habits?

Eric: My doctor said I needed to be more active after I started gaining weight. I was also feeling sleepy all the time. So, I decided to join a gym and look for ways to eat healthier.

Amanda: That’s great! Did you find it difficult to start?

Eric: At first, yes. But I downloaded an app that tracks my workouts and meals. It’s like a fitness coach in your pocket!

Amanda: Can you give us an example of how it helped?

Eric: Sure! I used to eat sugary cereal every morning, but the app gave me healthier options. Now I eat oatmeal with fruit or scrambled eggs with spinach.

Amanda: That sounds like a big change! Do you still enjoy treats?

Eric: Yes, but in moderation. I have a small dessert, like a fruit smoothie or a piece of dark chocolate, once a week.

Eric now eats sugary cereal every morning.

Amanda: So, Eric, what do you think other teenagers can learn from your story?

Eric: Many things, actually. You see, I didn’t use to care about fitness at all.

Amanda: When did that change?

Eric: About a year ago. I used to sit on the couch after school, eating chips and soda while playing video games. I barely exercised, and I didn’t realize how unhealthy my lifestyle was until I couldn’t run for five minutes without getting tired.

Amanda: Wow! What made you change your habits?

Eric: My doctor said I needed to be more active after I started gaining weight. I was also feeling sleepy all the time. So, I decided to join a gym and look for ways to eat healthier.

Amanda: That’s great! Did you find it difficult to start?

Eric: At first, yes. But I downloaded an app that tracks my workouts and meals. It’s like a fitness coach in your pocket!

Amanda: Can you give us an example of how it helped?

Eric: Sure! I used to eat sugary cereal every morning, but the app gave me healthier options. Now I eat oatmeal with fruit or scrambled eggs with spinach.

Amanda: That sounds like a big change! Do you still enjoy treats?

Eric: Yes, but in moderation. I have a small dessert, like a fruit smoothie or a piece of dark chocolate, once a week.

Eric’s doctor suggested he become more active.

Amanda: So, Eric, what do you think other teenagers can learn from your story?

Eric: Many things, actually. You see, I didn’t use to care about fitness at all.

Amanda: When did that change?

Eric: About a year ago. I used to sit on the couch after school, eating chips and soda while playing video games. I barely exercised, and I didn’t realize how unhealthy my lifestyle was until I couldn’t run for five minutes without getting tired.

Amanda: Wow! What made you change your habits?

Eric: My doctor said I needed to be more active after I started gaining weight. I was also feeling sleepy all the time. So, I decided to join a gym and look for ways to eat healthier.

Amanda: That’s great! Did you find it difficult to start?

Eric: At first, yes. But I downloaded an app that tracks my workouts and meals. It’s like a fitness coach in your pocket!

Amanda: Can you give us an example of how it helped?

Eric: Sure! I used to eat sugary cereal every morning, but the app gave me healthier options. Now I eat oatmeal with fruit or scrambled eggs with spinach.

Amanda: That sounds like a big change! Do you still enjoy treats?

Eric: Yes, but in moderation. I have a small dessert, like a fruit smoothie or a piece of dark chocolate, once a week.

Eric found it easy to start exercising.

This week’s topic in Teen Talk is staying fit. 16-year-old Eric Gray shares his experience with fitness coach Amanda Reed.

Amanda: So, Eric, what do you think other teenagers can learn from your story?

Eric: Many things, actually. You see, I didn’t use to care about fitness at all.

Amanda: When did that change?

Eric: About a year ago. I used to sit on the couch after school, eating chips and soda while playing video games. I barely exercised, and I didn’t realize how unhealthy my lifestyle was until I couldn’t run for five minutes without getting tired.

Amanda: Wow! What made you change your habits?

Eric: My doctor said I needed to be more active after I started gaining weight. I was also feeling sleepy all the time. So, I decided to join a gym and look for ways to eat healthier.

Amanda: That’s great! Did you find it difficult to start?

Eric: At first, yes. But I downloaded an app that tracks my workouts and meals. It’s like a fitness coach in your pocket!

Amanda: Can you give us an example of how it helped?

Eric: Sure! I used to eat sugary cereal every morning, but the app gave me healthier options. Now I eat oatmeal with fruit or scrambled eggs with spinach.

Amanda: That sounds like a big change! Do you still enjoy treats?

Eric: Yes, but in moderation. I have a small dessert, like a fruit smoothie or a piece of dark chocolate, once a week.

Eric used to eat chips and soda while playing video games.