Exercise 1: Vocabulary
1. Adventurous
Definition: Willing to take risks and seek new experiences.
Example: Jack was known for his adventurous spirit and love for exploring.
2. Struggling
Definition: Facing difficulties or challenges, often related to financial hardship.
Example: Jack and his mother were struggling to make ends meet on their farm.
3. Mysterious
Definition: Something that is difficult to understand or explain, often shrouded in secrecy.
Example: Jack encountered a mysterious old man on his way to the market.
4. Acquisition
Definition: The act of gaining possession or acquiring something, often through a trade or exchange.
Example: Jack was excited by his new acquisition of the magic beans.
5. Extraordinary
Definition: Beyond what is usual, ordinary, or expected; remarkable.
Example: Jack was intrigued by the possibility of something extraordinary from the magic beans.
6. Disappointed
Definition: Feeling let down or unsatisfied due to unmet expectations.
Example: Jack’s mother was disappointed by his decision to trade the cow for beans.
7. Abundance
Definition: A large quantity or supply of something, often in excess.
Example: Jack and his mother enjoyed the abundance brought by the golden eggs and the enchanted harp.
8. Prosperity
Definition: The state of being successful, flourishing, or economically well-off.
Example: The village rejoiced in the newfound prosperity brought by Jack’s adventures.
9. Soothe
Definition: To calm or comfort someone or something, often by providing relief from distress.
Example: The harp had the power to soothe the soul with its enchanting music.
10. Resourcefulness
Definition: The ability to find creative solutions to problems and make effective use of available resources.
Example: Jack utilized his resourcefulness to outsmart the giant.
11. Venturing
Definition: Setting out into a new or unfamiliar territory or situation, often with some risk involved.
Example: Jack learned the value of venturing outside his comfort zone.
12. Legendary
Definition: Described in or based on legends, often referring to a story or character that is famous and widely recognized.
Example: Jack’s name became legendary in the village due to his adventures.
13. Perseverance
Definition: The quality of persisting and continuing to work toward a goal despite challenges or obstacles.
Example: Jack demonstrated perseverance in facing the giant and achieving his goals.
14. Comfortable
Definition: In a state of physical or material ease and contentment, often related to a comfortable life.
Example: Jack and his mother lived a comfortable and joyful life after their adventures.
Exercise 2: Story
Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a young boy named Jack. He was known for his adventurous spirit and his love for nature. However, Jack and his mother were struggling to make ends meet, as their farm yielded little harvest.
One fateful day, Jack’s mother asked him to sell their only cow at the market. On his way, Jack encountered a mysterious old man who offered him a handful of magic beans in exchange for the cow. Intrigued by the possibility of something extraordinary, Jack eagerly accepted the trade.
Excited by his new acquisition, Jack returned home and showed his mother the magic beans. Disappointed by Jack’s decision, his mother threw the beans out of the window, thinking they were worthless. Little did they know that these beans held incredible power.
Overnight, a gigantic beanstalk grew from the spot where the beans had fallen, reaching high into the clouds. Jack, fueled by curiosity, couldn’t resist the temptation to climb the enormous plant.
Scaling the beanstalk, Jack found himself in a magnificent land above the clouds. There, he discovered a colossal castle inhabited by a terrifying giant. Hidden among the riches of the castle, Jack spotted a magical hen that laid golden eggs. Determined to help his mother and change their fortunes, Jack seized the opportunity and took the hen.
As he descended the beanstalk with the hen in hand, the giant woke and chased after him. Jack, utilizing his wit and agility, managed to reach the ground just in time. With the giant trapped above, Jack and his mother could finally enjoy the abundance brought by the golden eggs.
But the story didn’t end there. Jack’s adventures continued as he climbed the beanstalk once again, this time discovering a harp with the power to soothe the soul. Sensing his presence, the giant woke once more, roaring in anger. Jack swiftly grabbed the harp and dashed towards safety.
As Jack reached the bottom, he chopped down the beanstalk, bringing an end to the giant’s reign of terror. The village celebrated Jack’s bravery and rejoiced in the newfound prosperity the golden eggs and the enchanted harp brought.
From that day forward, Jack and his mother lived a comfortable and joyful life. Jack learned the value of taking risks, using his resourcefulness, and standing up against adversity. The tale of Jack and the Beanstalk teaches us the importance of courage, perseverance, and the belief that great rewards can be found when we venture outside our comfort zones.
And so, Jack’s name became legendary, his story passed down through generations, reminding us that even the smallest among us can achieve great feats when armed with determination and a touch of magic.
Exercise 3: Questions
1. What were Jack and his mother struggling with at the beginning of the story, and what did Jack trade their cow for?
2. What magical events occurred after Jack’s mother threw the magic beans out of the window?
3. Describe the two valuable items that Jack obtained from the giant’s castle during his adventures above the clouds.
4. How did Jack outsmart the giant when he encountered him in the castle, and how did he ultimately defeat the giant?
5. What are the main lessons and themes conveyed in the story of “Jack and the Beanstalk,” and how did Jack’s actions impact his life and the village’s prosperity?
Exercise 4: Discussion
- Who are the main characters?
- What is the moral of the story?
- Do you have a similar story in your culture? How is it the same? How is it different?
- What did you like or dislike about the story?
