EnglishFreePrintable

Verbs and Fairy Tales

A free english worksheet ready for your classroom. Open in Kuraplan to grab the print-ready PDF, customize it for your students, or generate a fresh version in seconds.

Download now

Name:Date:

Verbs and Fairy Tales

Read the short tale, then investigate how verbs and adverbs create action and mood. In the final task, write a new ending set in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The lantern in the bush

At dusk, Maia hurried along the track beside the ngahere. A silver lantern was glowing beneath a tōtara tree. She had heard stories about a taniwha who guarded the stream, but she had never expected to meet one. As Maia reached for the lantern, the ground began to tremble. A deep voice called, “You may cross, but you must answer my question.” Maia carefully lifted the lantern and looked towards the dark water.

Investigate the language

Use the tale above to answer Questions 1–6. A main verb expresses the central action or state. An auxiliary (helping) verb works with a main verb to express tense, aspect or possibility.

1.In “A silver lantern was glowing beneath a tōtara tree”, identify the complete verb group. Name the auxiliary verb and the main verb.

2.In “She had heard stories about a taniwha who guarded the stream, but she had never expected to meet one”, list the auxiliary verbs and the main verbs they help.

3.In “The ground began to tremble”, which statement best describes the verb phrase?

“Began” is an auxiliary and “tremble” is an adverb.
“Began” is the main verb; “to tremble” completes its meaning.
“Ground” is the main verb and “began” is an adjective.
“Tremble” is an auxiliary and “began” is the main verb.

4.In “Maia carefully lifted the lantern”, explain what “carefully” tells the reader and how it affects the moment.

5.Add one suitable auxiliary verb and one adverb: “The taniwha watching Maia .” Then identify the auxiliary and the adverb you chose.

6.Decide whether this statement is true or false: In “You may cross, but you must answer my question”, “may” and “must” are auxiliary verbs expressing possibility and obligation.

TrueFalse

Shape a new ending

Use the tale as inspiration, but invent your own events and wording.

7.Rewrite “Maia walked to the stream” so it includes an auxiliary verb and an adverb that build suspense. Underline the auxiliary and circle the adverb in your answer.

8.Compare these versions: A. “The voice called from the water.” B. “The voice had suddenly boomed from the black water.” Identify one verb group and one adverb in version B, then explain how version B changes the mood.

9.Write a 5–7 sentence ending in which Maia responds to the taniwha and reaches a resolution. Set it somewhere in Aotearoa New Zealand. Include at least two auxiliary verbs, three vivid main verbs and two adverbs. Underline the auxiliary verbs and circle the adverbs.