Pre-Intermediate A2 (800 headwords):
Incredible Animals
"Arctic Whale Danger!"
In the Arctic Ocean, a baby whale goes too close to land. It cannot get back to the water. A group of whales are trapped by moving ice. They cannot get back to open water. Will the whales find safety before it's too late?
"Happy Elephants"
"Monkey Party"
In parts of Thailand, monkeys are important animals. They are allowed to do anything they want to do. In the town of Lopburi, the people even have a party for the monkeys every year! What kind of party do the people of Lopburi have? Why do they have it?
Fascinating Places
"The Future of a Village"
Essaouira is a beautiful old town by the sea. Most local people there are fishermen. However, the number of fish has gone down. Now, there are not as many jobs for the people. How will the fishermen make money to live? What will happen to the town?
"Life on the Orinoco"
The Orinoco River is one of the longest rivers in the world. Many lives depend on this river. Many people, animals and plants live in or near the water. However, things are changing on the Orinoco. Why? What will happen to life on the Orinoco?
"The Lost City of Machu Picchu"
Machu Picchu is a beautiful old city in Peru. It was forgotten for many years, but now many people are visiting it. Some people think that too many visitors may not be good for the city. What will happen to Machu Picchu?
Remarkable People
"Columbus and the New World"
Christopher Columbus lived in Europe in the 1400s. He wanted to find a new way to travel from Europe to Asia by sea. So Columbus went on a long sea trip, but he didn't know what he would find. What happened to Columbus? What did he find?
"Dreamtime Painters"
Australia's Aboriginal culture is one of the oldest in the world. Aboriginal people have painted pictures of a story called 'Dreamtime' for years. These paintings are famous and very valuable. What is the Dreamtime story? Who are the Dreamtime painters?
"The Young Riders of Mongolia"
Horseback riding is a very important tradition in Mongolia. Each year the people there have a race to celebrate this tradition. However, the race is a little unusual. What kind of race is it? Why is it unusual?
Exciting Activities
"Alaskan Ice Climbing"
Many people visit Alaska to see the beautiful national parks. One group of visitors wants to fly into a national park and go skiiing. However, the weather turns bad. Will the visitors be able to get to the park? What will they do there?
"Don't Believe Your Eyes!"
Camogli is a small town in Italy. People there paint in a special style called 'trompe l'oeil.' These paintings are so good, viewers think they're real things, but they're not. They're paintings! What things are real in Camogli? What things are actually paintings?
"The Story of the Hula"
Long ago, people in Hawaii, performed a special dance called the 'hula.' Then, for more than 60 years, the dance was not allowed. Finally, after many years, a new king returned the hula to the people. Why was the hula not allowed? What is special about the hula?
Amazing Science
"The Giant's Causeway"
Along the coast of Northern Ireland, there is an unusual place called 'The Giant's Causeway.' According to a local story, a big man, or 'giant,' made it. Scientists, however, have a different story. How was this unusual place made? Was there really a giant?
"Snow Magic!"
Snow is very important for Dan Raedeke. The success of his business depends on it. But this year, it's too warm for natural snow, and Dan needs help. He needs a little 'snow magic'! What is Dan's business? How will he get snow?
"Volcano Trek"
Two scientists are travelling in Ethiopia to study a very old volcano. Volcanoes can be dangerous, because they have hot, melted rock inside. But they also offer important information. Will the scientists make it safely to the volcano? What will they learn?