The Curious Kiwi’s Adventure

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📖 Part 1: Comprehension

Read the story carefully, then circle the best answer.

The Night of the Curious Kiwi

A soft mist curled through the forest as Kiri the kiwi stepped out of her burrow. It was nearly midnight, her favourite time to explore. The moon hung low, glowing like a lantern above the trees. Kiri lifted her long beak and sniffed the cool air. Tonight felt different. Tonight felt important.

Kiri shuffled forward, her tiny feet tapping quietly on the damp leaves. She loved the forest at night. Everything slowed down, and she could hear the gentle rustle of insects beneath the soil. Suddenly, she paused. A strange scent drifted past her—sweet, warm, and unfamiliar. Kiri’s heart fluttered with curiosity.

She followed the scent through ferns and fallen branches until she reached a clearing. In the centre sat a small woven basket. Kiri blinked. A basket in the forest? She crept closer and nudged it with her beak. Inside lay a pile of glowing fruit. They shimmered like tiny stars.

Kiri had never seen fruit like this before. She sniffed one, then gently tapped it. The fruit wobbled and let out a soft ping. Kiri jumped back, startled. But nothing dangerous happened. She tried again. Ping. Kiri giggled quietly. This was fun.

As she played, a soft hoot echoed from the trees. A ruru watched her from a branch, its golden eyes glowing. “Careful, little kiwi,” it seemed to say. Kiri nodded politely, then picked up one glowing fruit in her beak. She didn’t know where it came from, but she knew one thing: she wanted to share it.

Kiri hurried back to her burrow. Tomorrow night, she would show her friends. Maybe together they could discover the secret of the glowing fruit. As she curled up to sleep, the fruit lit her burrow with a gentle, warm light. Kiri smiled. The forest still held mysteries—and she was brave enough to find them.

1. What time did Kiri leave her burrow?

A. Early morning

B. Nearly midnight

C. Late afternoon

2. What did Kiri follow through the forest?

A. A bright moonbeam

B. A strange scent

C. A trail of feathers

3. What was inside the woven basket?

A. Glowing fruit

B. Tiny insects

C. Warm leaves

4. What happened when Kiri tapped the fruit?

A. It flew into the trees

B. It made a soft ping

C. It disappeared

5. Which bird watched Kiri from a branch?

A. A tūī

B. A kererū

C. A ruru

🔍 Part 2: Inference Questions

Use clues from the story to work out the best answer.

6. How did Kiri probably feel when she first saw the glowing fruit?

A. Curious and excited

B. Angry and impatient

C. Sleepy and bored

7. Why did Kiri jump back from the fruit?

A. The fruit made a sound she did not expect

B. The ruru flew towards her

C. The basket began to move

8. What does Kiri’s wish to share the fruit show about her?

A. She is selfish

B. She is thoughtful and friendly

C. She is frightened of her friends

✅ Part 3: True or False

Circle A for True or B for False.

9. Kiri found the basket in a clearing.

A. True

B. False

10. Kiri decided to keep the glowing fruit a secret from her friends.

A. True

B. False

Challenge: Choose one word to describe Kiri. Explain your choice in one sentence.

🧑‍🏫 Teacher Answer Sheet

Part 1: Comprehension

1. B — Nearly midnight

2. B — A strange scent

3. A — Glowing fruit

4. B — It made a soft ping

5. C — A ruru

Part 2: Inference Questions

6. A — Curious and excited

7. A — The fruit made a sound she did not expect

8. B — She is thoughtful and friendly

Part 3: True or False

9. A — True

10. B — False

Challenge: Answers will vary. Accept suitable describing words supported by the story, such as curious, brave, friendly, thoughtful or adventurous. The explanation should clearly connect the word to Kiri’s actions.