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Destination New Zealand: From Hobbits to

Stargazing!
4 Intermediate

Emily and Grandpa Gus are on a road trip across New Zealand!

Your tutor will read each sentence in the story. Repeat after them and ask questions if
you're unsure about anything. Make sure that you understand the Key Words!
Exercise 1
Hobbiton

The first place they stop to visit is Hobbiton.

This place is like a fairytale! Who lives in these cute, tiny houses,
Grandpa?
Emily

This is Hobbiton — home of the hobbits. They are tiny, friendly people
who love nature, food and music. They have big feet and never wear
Gus shoes!

How interesting! Can we meet some of them?

Emily

No, sadly, they are not real — we can only find them in books and
movies.
Gus
 Oh, I see. But why is there a whole village for hobbits if there are no
hobbits?
Emily

Well, a writer named Tolkien first wrote about them in his books. Later,
his books were made into movies, and that's when this place was
Gus created.

fairytale village writer

Key Words

Exercise 2
Glowworm Caves
Next, Emily and Grandpa Gus visit the Glowworm Caves in Waitomo.

Another magical place! It's like a beautiful night sky in here! What are
all these little lights, Grandpa?
Emily

Those are glowworms, Emily. Pretty amazing, right?

Gus

Worms?! They're like tiny living light bulbs! Do they always glow like
this?
Emily

They do. Their glow helps them catch their dinner!

Gus

Well, I'm glad they're glowing. It'd be scary in here in the dark!

Emily
 worm light bulb glow

Key Words

Exercise 3
Fiordland National Park

Emily and Grandpa Gus are visiting Fiordland National Park.

It's soooo beautiful out here! I've never seen water like this before!

Emily
 This is Fiordland National Park. It's known for its huge fiords — these
long, deep lakes with cliffs all around.
Gus

How were these fiords made, Grandpa?

Emily

A long time ago, this place was covered in lots and lots of ice. Imagine
giant ice cubes everywhere! As they moved, they made deep holes in
Gus the ground.

But where did all the ice go?

Emily

The ice slowly melted away, and the holes were then filled up with sea
water. And this all happened around 20,000 years ago!
Gus

ice cube hole melt

Key Words

Exercise 4
Stargazing in Tekapo
Emily and Grandpa Gus are sitting by Lake Tekapo, looking up at the night sky.

This is the most beautiful night sky I've ever seen! And look — a
shooting star!
Emily

Quick, make a wish, Emily! We might see a few more, though. This is
one of the best places in the world for looking at the stars.
Gus

But why are there so many stars here, Grandpa? We never get to see
this many back at home...
Emily

The sky is very dark here because there's not much light from towns or
cities. That's why all the stars seem to shine much brighter here.
Gus

Grandpa, is it true that each of these stars is just like our sun?

Emily
 It sure is. Each of these stars is like a sun, just very, very far away.

Gus

Wow, the universe is so big...

Emily

star shine universe

Key Words

Exercise 5
Let's Talk!

Time to talk! Answer the questions and ask your teacher some questions as well.

1. If you could live in any book or movie world, which would you choose?

2. What are the most unusual animals that you know of?

3. Do you enjoy looking at the night sky? Can you see many stars where you live?
 Exercise 6
Spot the Differences

Look at the images and try to find all of the differences!

There are four differences in total. See if you can spot them all!

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