📖 Part 1: Fiction Text - "The Secret Garden"

Read the following passage and answer the questions below:

Maya had always wondered what lay beyond the old wooden gate at the bottom of her grandmother's garden. The paint was peeling, and ivy had grown thick around the hinges, making it look like no one had opened it for years. Today, curiosity finally got the better of her. She pushed through the tangled vines and gave the gate a gentle push. To her surprise, it creaked open, revealing a hidden garden filled with the most beautiful flowers she had ever seen. Butterflies danced between the blooms, and a small stone path wound its way to a tiny cottage covered in roses.

1. What is the main character's name?

2. Where is the gate located?

At the front of the house

At the bottom of her grandmother's garden

In the neighbour's yard

Behind the school

3. What made the gate difficult to open? (Select all that apply)

Peeling paint

Thick ivy around the hinges

A broken lock

Tangled vines

4. How do you think Maya felt when she discovered the hidden garden? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

🔬 Part 2: Non-Fiction Text - "New Zealand's Native Birds"

Read the following information text and answer the questions below:

New Zealand is home to many unique native birds that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The kiwi, our national bird, is flightless and nocturnal, meaning it is active at night. Kiwis have an excellent sense of smell, which is unusual for birds. They use their long beaks to probe the ground for insects and worms. Another remarkable bird is the kākāpō, the world's only flightless parrot. These large, green birds can live for over 90 years and weigh up to 4 kilograms. Unfortunately, both kiwis and kākāpō are endangered species. Conservation efforts are working hard to protect these special birds and increase their numbers in the wild.

5. Fill in the blanks using information from the text:

The ________ is New Zealand's national bird, and it is active during the ________. The kākāpō is the world's only ________ parrot and can live for over ________ years.

6. What makes the kiwi unusual compared to other birds?

It can fly very fast

It has an excellent sense of smell

It is very colourful

It lives in trees

7. Match the bird with its characteristic:

1. Kiwi

2. Kākāpō

A. World's only flightless parrot

B. Uses long beak to find insects

8. Why are conservation efforts important for these birds? Explain in your own words.

🤔 Part 3: Comparing Fiction and Non-Fiction

9. What is the main purpose of each text?

Fiction text purpose: ________________________________

Non-fiction text purpose: ________________________________

10. Which features help you identify each text type? (Select all that apply for each)

Fiction text features:

Has characters and setting

Contains factual information

Tells a story with events

Uses descriptive language

Non-fiction text features:

Provides facts and information

Has made-up characters

Teaches about real things

Uses specific measurements and numbers

✍️ Part 4: Creative Response

11. Draw what you imagine Maya's hidden garden looks like based on the description in the fiction text.

12. Write your own short paragraph (3-4 sentences) about a New Zealand native bird. You can research one not mentioned in the text or use your own knowledge.

13. Which type of text do you prefer reading - fiction or non-fiction? Explain why with at least two reasons.