Title: The Mysterious Treasure -- A B1 level reading exercise for ESL students.

TeacherMark

Once upon a time, in a small coastal town, there lived a young boy named Alex. Alex was known for his adventurous spirit and love for exploring. One sunny afternoon, while strolling along the beach, he stumbled upon an old, weathered map buried in the sand.

Excitement surged through Alex as he carefully studied the map. It seemed to lead to a hidden treasure buried somewhere on a nearby island. Without hesitation, he decided to embark on a thrilling treasure hunt.

Equipped with his backpack filled with snacks, a compass, and the map, Alex set off on a small rowboat towards the mysterious island. As he approached the island's shore, he noticed the dense jungle that lay ahead, shrouded in an air of mystery.

With determination in his heart, Alex ventured into the jungle, following the map's intricate markings. He traversed through thick foliage, climbed over fallen trees, and crossed a rushing stream. The path became increasingly challenging, but he refused to give up.

After what seemed like hours of exploration, Alex stumbled upon a hidden cave entrance. He cautiously entered the dark cavern, his heart pounding with anticipation. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he discovered a magnificent sight—an ancient chest resting on a stone pedestal.

With trembling hands, Alex opened the chest and gasped in awe. Inside, he found gold coins, sparkling gems, and precious artifacts from a long-lost era. He couldn't believe his luck; he had discovered a real treasure!

Filled with joy, Alex carefully gathered a handful of the treasure to take home as a memento. He decided to leave the rest in the chest, respecting its historical value. As he retraced his steps back through the jungle and rowed towards the mainland, he couldn't stop smiling.

Discussion Questions:

1. Who is the main character in the story?
2. How did Alex find the map?
3. What did the map lead Alex to?
4. What challenges did Alex face during his treasure hunt?
5. How did Alex feel when he discovered the treasure?
6. Why did Alex decide to leave most of the treasure behind?
7. Have you ever found a hidden treasure or something valuable? Tell us about it.
8. If you could go on a treasure hunt, where would you like to search for treasure, and why?

Here are the answers to the discussion questions:

1. Who is the main character in the story?
   • The main character in the story is Alex.
2. How did Alex find the map?
   • Alex found the map buried in the sand while walking along the beach.
3. What did the map lead Alex to?
   • The map led Alex to a hidden treasure buried on a nearby island.
4. What challenges did Alex face during his treasure hunt?
   • Alex faced challenges such as navigating through dense foliage, climbing over fallen trees, and crossing a rushing stream.
5. How did Alex feel when he discovered the treasure?
   • Alex felt joy and awe when he discovered the treasure.
6. Why did Alex decide to leave most of the treasure behind?
   • Alex decided to leave most of the treasure behind to respect its historical value and preserve it for others to potentially discover.
7. Have you ever found a hidden treasure or something valuable? Tell us about it.
   • The answer to this question will depend on the individual student's personal experiences.
8. If you could go on a treasure hunt, where would you like to search for treasure, and why?
   • The answer to this question will vary among students, allowing them to express their preferences and reasons for choosing a specific location.