1 Read the story and tick (V) the adjectives which describe Zarena. bright • rude • hard-working • selfish • jealous shy • lonely • sociable • popular • strict EVERY evening in Tarrigon, the younger -gefods met inside the dragon's old cave. There, they chatted and gossiped and had a little fun for an hour or two before nightfall. Zarena rarely joined them. She didn't like to go to the cave. No, that's not quite true. After a long day collecting food, sometimes all she wanted was to have some company. But Zarena was shy and couldn't make friends easily. When she did go to the cave, she usually stood alone, away from the other gefods, and didn't feel secure enough to join in their conversations. Zarena found being sociable very difficult. The other gefods mistook her quietness for arrogance. They thought that because she was more intelligent than them, she was looking down on them. They were also jealous because she worked so hard and kept her burrow so clean and tidy. So they teased her or ignored her and made her feel sad. Because of that, she didn't like going to the cave. 'Perhaps I am a bit lonely,' she said to herself sometimes, but at least I work hard. I wouldn't want to be like Vantura even though she's much more popular than me.' (Vantura bullied Zarena more than the other gefods.) 'She's nasty and selfish and rude and unkind. 1 And I bet most of her friends only pretend to like her. They're just scared of her. I'm sure none of them trust her.' Zarena was strict with herself: 'Never change who you are just to become more popular,' she told herself. One day, Zarena was out searching for food. 2 She stopped. 'What was that?' she whispered to herself. Then she heard it again. Very carefully and quietly, Zarena went to investigate. Zarena soon discovered what was making the noise. It was Vantura, who was in serious trouble. There was an old rusty tin can stuck on her head. 3. _ The noise Zarena had heard was a combination of Vantura 2 Look at the words in bold in the story. What do they refer to? that (paragraph 3) a Zarena keeping her burrow clean b the situation at the cave 2 it (paragraph 6) a the tin can b the ground 3 this (paragraph 10) a Zarena helping her b her cut face 4 everyone (paragraph 11) a Vantura, Zarena and the other gefods b all the gefods except Vantura and Zarena 5 It (paragraph 12) a the change in the situation b the fact that Zarena helped Vantura shouting 'Help!' and her banging the can against the ground in an attempt to remove it from her head. Zarena didn't know what to do. 'Vantura doesn't know I'm here, so I could just leave quietly,' she thought to herself. 'No, maybe I don't like Vantura, but I still have to help her. Zarena went over to Vantura. 'Vantura, it's me - Zarena. Don't worry. I'll help you. Just keep still.' 4 - 'Oh dear said Zarena. 'It's on very tight. I can't pull it off. But don't worry. Vantura. I won t leave you. There must be a way to help you.' Zarena thought carefully. 'What should I do?' she said to herself. Then she had an idea. 'Vantura,' said Zarena, I'm going to try to cut the can with my teeth. 5 Zarena managed to get a piece of the top end of the can between her teeth. It tasted horrible, but she started tc chew. Fifteen minutes later, Vantura was free. They both lay breathless on the grass. Vantura was bleeding from where the can had cut her face. Zarena was bleeding from where the can had cut her mouth. 'Thank you,' said Vantura eventually. 'I'll never forget this. What do you think happened next? Did Vantura tell all the gefods about how Zarena saved her, and they all loved Zarena from that day on? Not quite. Vantura didn't tell anyone because she didn't want to look ridiculous. Zarena didn't tell anyone because she didn't want to show off. 6 _ Dorgo Quando witnessed the whole thing, and quickly told everyone. But no-one ever mentioned it to Vantura. Vantura never bullied Zarena again. And when Zarena did go to the cave - and perhaps she went a little more often than before - the other gefods started to treat her with respect (although they never mentioned the incident to her either) and she slowly started to gain the confidence she needed to talk to them. It was a start. 2 Look at the words in bold in the story. What do they refer to? that (paragraph 3) a Zarena keeping her burrow clean b the situation at the cave 2 it (paragraph 6) a the tin can b the ground 3 this (paragraph 10) a Zarena helping her b her cut face 4 everyone (paragraph 11) a Vantura, Zarena and the other gefods b all the gefods except Vantura and Zarena 5 It (paragraph 12) a the change in the situation b the fact that Zarena helped Vantura 3 Complete the gaps 1-6 in the story with the correct sentence A-F. Write the letter of the correct sentence in the gap. A Zarena tried to pull the can off Vantura's head. but it wouldn't move. B It's the only way to get you out. C I'm glad m not like that, even if she has got more friends than me. D She was running through some high grass when she heard a noise. E The gefods all soon knew, however. F She couldn't get it off, and was starting to panic. Complete each sentence using a word or phrase from the story. You may need to change the word. Positive characteristics 1 If someone is k , they are caring, gentle and helpful. 2 Ifyout. someone, you believe they won't lie to you or hurt you. 3 If someone has the c. - to do something, they believe in their ability to do it well. 4 If you feels. about something, you feel safe and happy about it. 5 If your. someone, you have a good opinion of them. Negative characteristics 1 If you g. about people, you talk about them when they are not there. 2 If you are a. , you feel you are better and more important than other people. 3 If yout. -someone, you say things to hurt, embarrass or annoy them. 4 Ifyoub - someone, you use your power to hurt or frighten them. 5 If someones. _ 0. they try too hard to impress other people. 6 If someone is being r. -, they are behaving in a silly and stupid way.