Geese always fly in an arrow formation. One goose flies at the front and the others follow. When the goose at the front (the lead goose) gets tired, another goose flies to the front and takes over. They
beat their wings and they call out to encourage each other.
Except Gertie. She never took a turn at the front because
she was lazy! She never called out to encourage the others
because it took too much effort. Gertie was a member of a
big flock of thirty geese and she always stayed at the back
of the flock. One day, the other geese got fed up with her.
They decided they did not want Gertie. They told her to go!
She left the flock and she waited on a tree top for another
flock to fly by. Unfortunately, Gertie was famous - all geese
everywhere knew about her! Three flocks flew by and they said ‘no’ when Gertie asked to join their
flock. Gertie began to cry. She began to feel sorry about always being so lazy. She wished she could
be with her old flock again. Suddenly, she saw them in the sky! She flew up, up, up, like a shooting
star, straight to the front of the flock. The lead goose was tired. ‘Fall back!’ said Gertie. ‘I will take a
turn!’ After two hours, Gertie was tired, but she flew on. Another goose came and offered to take
over, then another, then every one of the geese. ‘No!’ said Gertie. ‘I am making up for all the times
when I didn’t take a turn.’ Her wings flapped like an eagle’s and she called out with all her strength.
She was magnificent! She led the geese in a neat, streamlined arrow. When they arrived at their
destination, in Spain, they landed and every single goose turned towards Gertie. Then, they all beat
their wings in applause. They forgave Gertie! They were happy with her. Pride rose in Gertie’s breast
and she took a bow. And forever after that, she always took her turn as the lead goose.
Say if the sentences are TRUE OR FALSE. Correct the false ones: :
1) There were twenty geese in the flock. T/F
2) Geese fly in an arrow formation. T/F
3) Gertie always took her turn at the front. T/F
4) Some geese wanted Gertie to stay with the flock. T/F
5) Gertie waited at the top of a lamp post. T/F
6) Six flocks flew past her. T/F
7) Her old flock flew by and she re-joined them. T/F
8) She flew straight to the front. T/F
9) Gertie wanted to make up for all the times she hadn’t taken a turn. T/F
10) Their destination was Africa. T/F
11) The flock clapped for Gertie. T/F
12) Gertie did the right thing in the end. T/F
Answer the following questions in full sentences: :
1) What formation do geese fly in? They
2) Why did the other geese get fed up with Gertie?
3) How did the flock decide to punish Gertie?
4) Where did Gertie wait, when she hoped to see another flock?
5) Why didn’t another flock allow Gertie to join them?
6) What did she do when she saw her flock?
7) How did she win her way back into the flock?
8) What happened when the geese reached their destination?
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