For each question, choose the correct answer.
Our Great Ocean Road adventure
by Donna Waverley
My family and I recently went to Australia, to see my grandparents. But before we visited them, we went sightseeing along the Great Ocean Road, on the Australian coast.
Dad had intended to drive, but even though he was used to driving miles without getting exhausted, he then read on the website that the road wouldn’t be an easy drive, with a number of sharp bends. Anyway, we thought he deserved to enjoy the fantastic views too, which he couldn’t do as our driver. So instead, we persuaded him to book discount bus tickets and off we went.
Our first stop was where wild kangaroos lived – and Dad and I were taking a walk when a big one appeared! For a moment, it seemed to consider coming towards us, which made me slightly nervous – but then it went off along the road, stopping to check if we were following. Although it was with us a while, I was so excited I didn’t even manage to pull out my camera. Then it looked back once more, and went off into the bushes.
That wasn’t the only wildlife we saw. I thought it unlikely we’d see Australia’s famous koala bears during our short visit, as I’d heard they were rare – but we weren’t disappointed at our next stop. In fact, we discovered there were roughly six million in that area! Sadly, some gum trees they were in had very few leaves left, which people told us was because of the koalas, although I’d read that lack of water is actually the problem. Still, I guess that looked cute, and were easy to find – we just followed the tourists looking up into the trees!
Dad had booked a campsite for the night, with ready-made tents – for an adventure! I wasn’t sure about that, but they were actually luxury tents, within walking distance of some famous rocks and other places we hoped to visit. However, Dad also said the sounds of wild creatures would help us sleep. That sounded worrying – until the ‘wild creatures’ turned out to be frogs! So I was embarrassed by my fears – and kept awake by the frogs! But we had fun making meals together – we’d brought food, as we knew there’d be nowhere to eat.
In fact, this whole trip was fantastic!
1 Donna’s Dad decided not to drive the Great Ocean Road himself because
A he realised he wouldn’t enjoy the views as much.
B he thought it would be too tiring for him.
C he discovered the bus would be a cheaper option.
D he found out the route was very challenging.
2 When Donna saw a kangaroo along the route, she was
A worried that it might approach her.
B amazed at the size of it.
C sad that it didn’t stay with them long.
D disappointed that she had forgotten her camera.
3 Donna says that the koala bears they saw were
A responsible for damage to the trees.
B even more attractive than people had told her.
C more common than she’d expected.
D very skilled at hiding away from tourists.
4 What was Donna’s opinion of the place where they stayed?
A She found it was less comfortable than she’d hoped.
B She liked the fact that it was convenient for sightseeing.
C She enjoyed hearing the sounds of nature as she slept.
D She was disappointed there was no restaurant nearby.
5 What might Donna write in her blog during the trip?
A The bus we’re travelling on is pretty comfortable, with great views from the window. Grandma and Granddad are enjoying it, too!
B We can see quite a lot as we drive along. I just wish we could stop and get out to explore properly.
C Yesterday we went to see some huge rocks near our campsite – and we were really impressed! I’m surprised they’re not well known.
D I wasn’t looking forward to camping, in case there were wild animals, but we haven’t seen anything at all dangerous, so I feel silly now!
Answer
1 D 2 A 3 C 4 B 5 D