TOEFL Junior Reading and Listening Practice

 

The Curious Case of the Whispering Mangrove

Deep within the heart of Costa Rica, where emerald rainforest meets the sapphire sea, lay a hidden wonder called the Whispering Mangrove. Its towering trees, gnarled and ancient, stood guard over a labyrinth of winding waterways, teeming with life. Unlike its silent counterparts, this mangrove hummed with a gentle murmur, the whispers of secrets shared between leaves and tides.

Ten-year-old Clara, visiting from a bustling city, felt an immediate pull towards this mysterious place. Armed with a magnifying glass and her insatiable curiosity, she ventured into the dappled green maze. Sunlight peeked through the dense canopy, casting dancing patterns on the water below. Tiny crabs scuttled sideways, their clicking claws adding to the rhythmic whisper.

Suddenly, a flash of vibrant blue caught Clara's eye. A morpho butterfly, its wings shimmering like stained glass, flitted between the trees. As she followed its mesmerizing dance, she stumbled upon a clearing. In the center stood a majestic kapok tree, its enormous trunk adorned with countless holes. Peering closer, Clara noticed something incredible: fireflies! Not hundreds, not thousands, but millions, their tiny bodies emitting a soft, electrifying glow.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the whispers of the mangrove grew louder. They seemed to tell stories of forgotten civilizations, of creatures with emerald feathers and scales that shimmered silver under the moon. Clara, captivated by the magic, decided to stay until the moon painted its glow across the water.

As darkness descended, the fireflies unleashed their true spectacle. Millions of tiny lights blinked in unison, creating a breathtaking tapestry of light and movement. The whispers, now woven with the chirping of crickets and the croaking of frogs, felt like a welcoming song. Clara, nestled amongst the ancient trees, knew she had discovered something truly special.

The next morning, she returned to the bustling city, but the whispers of the Whispering Mangrove stayed with her. They reminded her of the magic hidden in the world, waiting to be discovered by curious minds and open hearts.

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What makes the Whispering Mangrove unique? 

a) Its towering trees 

b) Its whispering sound 

c) Its location near the sea d) Its abundance of crabs

2. What role does sunlight play in the passage? 

a) It provides warmth for the crabs. 

b) It creates a magical display with the butterfly. 

c) It helps Clara see the fireflies better. 

d) It silences the whispers of the mangrove.

3. Why does Clara stay in the mangrove until nightfall? 

a) She is lost and cannot find her way out. 

b) She is afraid of the dark. 

c) She wants to see the fireflies' light display. 

d) She hopes to meet creatures with emerald feathers.

4. What lesson does Clara learn from the Whispering Mangrove? 

a) The importance of being quiet in nature. 

b) The beauty of fireflies under moonlight. 

c) The magic waiting to be discovered in the world. 

d) The secrets hidden in ancient trees.

5. The word "dappled" in the passage means: 

a) Completely covered in shadows. 

b) Bathed in bright sunlight. 

c) Patterned with patches of light and shade. 

d) Reflected on the surface of the water.

1. b) Its whispering sound 2. b) It creates a magical display with the butterfly. 3. c) She wants to see the fireflies' light display. 4. c) The magic waiting to be discovered in the world. 5. c) Patterned with patches of light and shade.