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13 Oct 2026
Could Spider-Man Really Switch Off His Superpowers?
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Section: Warm Up
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) Spider-Man wants to stop some of his powers.
b) Spider-Man gets a new red car.
c) Spider-Man moves to a new city.
Ask:
(1) Who is your favourite superhero? Why?
(2) Which superpower do you want? Why?
VOCABULARY
superhero (/ˈsuːpəhɪərəʊ/, noun)
Meaning: A person in stories who has special powers and helps people.
Example: My favourite superhero can fly over the city.
spider (/ˈspaɪdə/, noun)
Meaning: A small animal with eight legs that makes webs.
Example: A little spider is sitting on my window.
machine (/məˈʃiːn/, noun)
Meaning: A thing with parts that does a job for you.
Example: My mum has a machine for washing clothes.
gene (/dʒiːn/, noun)
Meaning: A tiny instruction inside your body. Genes make you look like your family.
Example: I have brown eyes because of my genes.
cell (/sel/, noun)
Meaning: A very, very small part of a living thing. Your body has millions of cells.
Example: We look at a leaf cell in science class.
illness (/ˈɪlnəs/, noun)
Meaning: When your body is not well.
Example: My brother has an illness, so he is at home today.
sticky (/ˈstɪki/, adjective)
Meaning: When something sticks to things, like glue or honey.
Example: My fingers are sticky after I eat jam.
Spider-Man is a famous superhero. His real name is Peter Parker. In a new film, Peter has a big problem. Spider DNA is changing his body. He feels ill and strange. He wants to stop some of his powers.
Peter visits his friend Bruce Banner. Bruce sometimes turns into the Hulk. Bruce has a special machine. It stops his Hulk powers. Peter wants a machine like this.
Is this idea real? Yes, a little! Our bodies have genes. Genes are like tiny instructions. They tell our cells what to make. Scientists make tiny helpers. Their name is siRNA. These helpers switch off some genes. Doctors use them for some illnesses.
But it is not easy. Peter has many spider powers. He makes sticky webs. He hears and smells too much. Different genes control these powers. So he needs many different helpers.
The helpers also stay in the body for a long time. Peter wants his powers back fast. Scientists are still working on this.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Section 8: Discussion Questions
1. Do you like Spider-Man? Why or why not?
2. Which spider power do you like best?
3. Is Peter happy or sad in the story? Why?
4. Do you want a machine to switch off your powers? Why?
5. What is a good superpower for school?
FILL IN THE GAPS
FILL THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: genes / sticky / superhero / machine
Read the article and fill in the gaps with words from the Word Bank.
Spider-Man is a famous _______(1). His real name is Peter Parker. In a new film, Peter has a big problem. Spider DNA is changing his body. He feels ill and strange. He wants to stop some of his powers.
Peter visits his friend Bruce Banner. Bruce sometimes turns into the Hulk. Bruce has a special _______(2). It stops his Hulk powers. Peter wants a machine like this.
Is this idea real? Yes, a little! Our bodies have _______(3). Genes are like tiny instructions. They tell our cells what to make. Scientists make tiny helpers. Their name is siRNA. These helpers switch off some genes. Doctors use them for some illnesses.
But it is not easy. Peter has many spider powers. He makes _______(4) webs. He hears and smells too much. Different genes control these powers. So he needs many different helpers.
The helpers also stay in the body for a long time. Peter wants his powers back fast. Scientists are still working on this.
Section 2: Main Idea
What is the story mainly about? Choose a, b or c.
a) A spider that lives in a big city.
b) Peter wants to switch off some of his powers with real science.
c) Bruce Banner has a new red car.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
Read the sentences. Circle T (true) or F (false).
1. Bruce Banner sometimes turns into the Hulk. T/F
2. Peter wants more powers. T/F
3. Scientists make tiny helpers that switch off some genes. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Write 1, 2 or 3 in the box.
[ ] a) Peter visits his friend Bruce Banner.
[ ] b) Spider DNA is changing Peter's body.
[ ] c) Peter wants a machine like Bruce's machine.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. spider
2. machine
3. cell
4. illness
5. sticky
a) when your body is not well
b) a very small part of a living thing
c) a small animal with eight legs
d) it sticks to things, like glue
e) a thing with parts that does a job
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
Choose the best word. Then say the sentence to your partner.
1. I like Spider-Man ______ he helps people.
a) because
b) but
c) or
2. I ______ want to switch off my powers.
a) don't
b) doesn't
c) isn't
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
Put the parts in the correct order to make a sentence. Write the sentence on the line.
1. A) his / B) Bruce / C) Peter / D) friend / E) visits
2. A) tiny / B) Genes / C) instructions / D) are / E) like
ANSWER KEY
Answer Key
Warm Up
a) Spider-Man wants to stop some of his powers. Spider DNA is changing his body, so he wants to switch off some powers.
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
(1) superhero
(2) machine
(3) genes
(4) sticky
Section 2: Main Idea
b) Peter wants to switch off some of his powers with real science.
Section 3: True or False
1. T – True
2. F – False
3. T – True
Section 4: Put Events in Order
1 = b) Spider DNA is changing Peter's body.
2 = a) Peter visits his friend Bruce Banner.
3 = c) Peter wants a machine like Bruce's machine.
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. spider – c) a small animal with eight legs
2. machine – e) a thing with parts that does a job
3. cell – b) a very small part of a living thing
4. illness – a) when your body is not well
5. sticky – d) it sticks to things, like glue
Section 6: Discussion Builder
1. a) because – I like Spider-Man because he helps people.
2. a) don't – I don't want to switch off my powers.
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
1. C, E, A, D, B – Peter visits his friend Bruce.
2. B, D, E, A, C – Genes are like tiny instructions.
Section 8: Discussion Questions (model answers; accept any well-reasoned answer)
1. Yes, I like Spider-Man because he helps people.
2. I like the sticky webs best. They are fun.
3. He is sad. He feels ill and strange.
4. No, I don't. I like my powers.
5. Flying is good. I am never late for school!
Thank you for your feedback!