📖 The Story: Maya's Dream

Read the story carefully, then answer the questions below.

Maya stared at the television screen, watching the news reporter announce the winner of the Young Scientist Award. "I want to be like her one day," Maya whispered to herself. At only ten years old, Maya had already decided she wanted to become a marine biologist and study dolphins in New Zealand waters.

Every day after school, Maya rushed to the library to borrow books about ocean life. She filled three notebooks with drawings of sea creatures and facts about their behaviour. When her friends were playing video games, Maya was watching documentaries about the ocean. Her mum sometimes worried that Maya was working too hard, but Maya's eyes always sparkled when she talked about her dreams.

"It won't be easy," her teacher, Mrs. Thompson, told her when Maya shared her ambition during career week. "You'll need to study hard in science and maths, and later go to university for many years." Maya nodded seriously. "I know it's a long journey, but I'm willing to work for it. Every time I see a picture of dolphins, I remember why I want to do this."

Maya's determination impressed everyone around her. She started a marine life club at school and organised beach clean-ups on weekends. By the end of Year 5, Maya had already planned which subjects she would focus on in intermediate school. Her ambition wasn't just a dream anymore – it was becoming a plan.

🤔 Part 1: Understanding the Story

✍️ Part 2: Thinking Deeper