Bertie's Year of Rat (worksheet)

Podcast: http://storynory.com/2008/01/27/berties-year-of-the-rat/

Warming-up

1. When were you born? – I was born on the __th of _____, _____ .
2. What was the sign of the year you were born in? – I was born in the year of _______ .
3. What signs of the year do you know? _________________________________ .
4. What is the sign of the year 2008? _______________________________ .

Lovable creatures ________________________________________________
Disgusting creatures ______________________________________________

New words:

• Bertie asked me to pop up to the Palace Kitchen to see …
• Slime [slaim] – is a thick, slippery substance which covers a surface or comes from the bodies of animals such as snails.
• Tang – is a strong, sharp smell or taste.
• It almost ran over my toes. – It ran very close to me.
• Commotion – is a lot of noise and confusion.
• It didn’t seem the right moment to wander in asking… - It didn’t seem the right moment to concentrate on asking …
• To belong – if something belongs to you, you own it or it is yours.
• Ducklings - are geese’s babies.
• Signets – are baby swans.
• Reed – are tall plants that grow in shallow water or wet ground.
• Expel – if someone is expelled from a school or organization, they are told to leave.
• Peacock – is a large bird. The male has a very long tail with large blue and green spots which it can spread out like a fan.
• Equal – (adj) if two things are equal, they are the same in size, amount, or degree.
• Guest of Honour – is a person who is honoured.
• Tadpole – are small , black water creatures which grow into frogs or toads.
• Tear – (n) are the drops of liquid that come out of your eyes when you cry.

I. Listen to the first part of the story to the words “But the rats have the rights too you know!” and choose the correct answer:

• The last rat year was in … .
a) 1996 b) 1997 c) 1995

• Rats were found in … .
a) the pond b) the basement c) the Palace Kitchens

• The rat escaped … .
a) from the palace b) from the prison c) to the pond

• Prince Bertie was … .
a) The Swan b) The Rat c) The Frog

• Sadie was … .
a) The Swan b) The Rat c) The Frog

II. Listen to the second part of the story to the words “I’m not so keen on jelly fish either.” and choose the correct answer:

1. Bertie asked Natasha …
a) to bring him a piece of bread.
b) to bring him a piece of creamy cheddar cheese.
c) to bring him a piece of cake.

2. The cook shouted because …
a) he saw a rat.
b) he overcooked lunch.
c) he cut himself.

3. Natasha …
a) caught a grey creature.
b) didn’t see a grey creature.
c) was afraid of a grey creature.

4. Natasha loved animals except …
a) cockroaches, jelly fish and cobras.
b) crocodiles, jelly fish and rats.
c) lions, rats and jelly fish.

III. Listen to the third part of the story to the words “I actually felt quite sorry for him.” Decide whether the following sentences are true (T) or false (F) and correct the false ones:

1. Natasha took a piece of cheddar. ___
2. When Natasha arrived at the pond she saw a meeting. ____
3. Sadie said it was a Village Pond. ___
4. Colin was the Carp. ___
5. The rat was hiding behind the tree. ____

IV. Listen to the last part of the story and answer the questions:

1. Who protected the rat? ________________________________________________
2. What is the Prince’s code? _____________________________________________
3. Who do the animals have to fight? _______________________________________
4. What is Bertie’s secret? ________________________________________________
5. What are people born in the Chinese Year of the Rat like? _____________________
6. What did the rat and Bertie eat at the party? ________________________________

V. What is the moral of the story?