Animals & Environment
The Big Sea Lion Mystery at Pier 39
20 May 2026
NEW
Select
a Level
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
What kind of animal do you think a "sea lion" is, and what does it look like?
What do you think happens in a story called a "mystery"?
VOCABULARY
Massive
(adjective)
Crowd
(noun)
Secret
(noun)
Trick
(verb)
Safe
(adjective)
Heavy
(adjective)
/mas-iv/
Very, very large.
Example: The elephant at the zoo was massive.
/krowd/
A large group of people gathered together.
Example: A big crowd waited to see the parade.
/see-krit/
Something that is kept hidden from other people.
Example: She whispered a funny secret to her friend.
/trik/
To make someone believe something that is not true.
Example: The magician wanted to trick the audience.
/sayf/
Protected from danger or hurt.
Example: The birds feel safe up in their high nest.
/hev-ee/
Weighing a lot; difficult to lift.
Example: The big box of books was very heavy.
A very big sea lion lived at Pier 39 in San Francisco. People named him Chonkers because he was massive and heavy. A big crowd came to see him. He was a special Steller sea lion. But one day, Chonkers left. Another big sea lion took his place. This new sea lion liked to trick people. People thought he was Chonkers! Finally, a photographer found the secret. The new sea lion was lighter and smaller. The real Chonkers was gone, but the pier is a safe home for sea lions.
Listen
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Where did the big sea lion live?
Why did people name the sea lion Chonkers?
Why did the new sea lion trick the crowd?
Who found out the secret about the new sea lion?
How did the photographer know it was not the real Chonkers?
Do you like watching animals at the zoo or in nature? Why?
FILL IN THE GAPS
Word Bank: massive, crowd, secret, trick, safe, heavy
A very big sea lion lived at Pier 39 in San Francisco. People named him Chonkers because he was (1)_______ and (2)_______. A big (3)_______ came to see him. He was a special Steller sea lion. But one day, Chonkers left. Another big sea lion took his place. This new sea lion liked to (4)_______ people. People thought he was Chonkers! Finally, a photographer found the (5)_______. The new sea lion was lighter and smaller. The real Chonkers was gone, but the pier is a (6)_______ home for sea lions.
UNDERSTANDING
Part 1: Select True or False for each statement
Chonkers lived at a famous pier in San Francisco. _____
Chonkers was a very small and light animal. _____
Many people came to the pier to look at Chonkers. _____
The new sea lion was darker and bigger than Chonkers. _____
A photographer discovered that the real Chonkers was gone. _____
Part 2: Put the Sentences in the Order that they occur in the Story
A. Another big sea lion took his place and tricked people. _____
B. A photographer discovered the secret that Chonkers was gone. _____
C. Chonkers became famous at Pier 39 because he was massive. _____
D. One day, the real Chonkers left the pier. _____
LANGUAGE
Vocabulary Match
1. Massive
2. Crowd
3. Secret
4. Trick
5. Safe
6. Heavy
A. A large group of people gathered together
B. To deceive or fool someone
C. Protected from danger or hurt
D. Extremely large and heavy
E. Something that is kept hidden or unknown
F. Weighing a lot; difficult to lift
USE IT
ANSWER KEY
Section 5: Fill in the Gaps
massive
typical
photos
famous
leave
mistake
Section 6: Understanding
Part 1: 1-True, 2-False, 3-True, 4-True, 5-False.
Part 2: 4, 2, 3, 1.
Section 7: Language 1-B, 2-D, 3-E, 4-C, 5-A.