Ship Encounter Comprehension Worksheet
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Ship Encounter Comprehension Worksheet
The Ship Beyond the Headland
Atarangi was gathering shellfish with her aunt near the shore when a shape appeared beyond the headland. It was a ship, larger than any waka she had seen. Its pale sails snapped in the wind, and dark smoke drifted from a tall funnel. Atarangi hurried back to the pā. The people gathered on the hill to watch as the ship dropped anchor offshore. A small boat carried a man towards the beach. He stepped out carefully, holding his hands where everyone could see them. His name was Michael. He spoke, but Atarangi could not understand his words. She answered in te reo Māori, and he looked puzzled too. Michael pointed to the water and then to his ship. Atarangi guessed that he was asking for fresh water. She showed him a stream nearby, but she stayed close to her aunt. The visitors filled their containers and offered a length of bright cloth in thanks. Atarangi was curious about the ship, but she also felt cautious. The newcomers had arrived from far away, and no one knew what they wanted or how long they would stay. As the boat carried Michael back, Atarangi wondered what this meeting might mean for her people.
Comprehension
Use details from the passage to support your answers.
- It had pale sails and a tall funnel that sent out smoke.
- It was made of bright cloth.
- It was travelling close to the shore.
- It carried shellfish on deck.
- The meeting is over, but Atarangi wonders about what may happen next.
- Atarangi decides to leave with Michael.
- The visitors explain exactly why they have come.
- The ship sails away before anyone can meet its crew.
Diary Entry: One Meeting, Two Viewpoints
Choose Atarangi or Michael. Write a diary entry about the encounter from that character’s point of view. Use first person and past tense. Include what happened, feelings or thoughts, and a question or hope about what might happen next. Use details from the passage, but you may add reasonable thoughts.
3 printable pages
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
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