Animals & Environment
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14 Sept 2026
The Mara and Talek rivers are crossed during the Great Migration as the animals search for fresh grazing.
Why September is the Great Migration's Most Dramatic Month
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) Animals cross a big river in September.
b) Animals sleep all month in September.
c) Animals swim across the ocean in September.
Ask:
(1) Do you like wild animals?
(2) Have you ever seen a crocodile?
VOCABULARY
river (/ˈrɪv.ə/, noun)
Meaning: A large natural stream of water moving across land.
Example: The zebra drinks fresh water from the cold river.
travel (/ˈtræv.əl/, verb)
Meaning: To go from one place to another place.
Example: Many animals travel together to find green grass.
cross (/krɒs/, verb)
Meaning: To go from one side to the other side.
Example: The brave wild animals cross the long road safely.
grass (/ɡrɑːs/, noun)
Meaning: A green plant that grows on the ground.
Example: Hungry cows eat sweet green grass in the field.
hungry (/ˈhʌŋ.ɡri/, adjective)
Meaning: Wanting or needing food to eat right now.
Example: The small lions are very hungry this bright morning.
danger (/ˈdeɪn.dʒə/, noun)
Meaning: Something that can hurt or harm a living thing.
Example: The dark forest has some danger for tiny birds.
September is a special time in Africa. Millions of wildebeest travel across the land. They are looking for fresh food. They want to eat green grass. Zebras travel with them too. The big animals walk a very long way every day.
The journey is not easy for them. A big river is in their way. It is called the Mara River. The water moves very fast. Large hungry crocodiles wait in the deep river. The wildebeest must cross this deep water to find food on the other side.
The animals wait near the water. Suddenly one brave wildebeest jumps in. Then thousands of animals jump in too. They swim fast across the wet river. Many animals make it to the green grass. They are safe and happy now. September is very exciting in the wild land of Africa.
Vast numbers of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle undertake the seasonal migration every year. ©GUDKOV ANDREY/Shutterstock.com
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
(1) Which wild animal in the story is your favourite?
(2) Why do wildebeest travel to new places?
(3) Would you like to visit Africa one day?
(4) How do you feel when you swim in water?
(5) Is it good for animals to live together in groups?
FILL IN THE GAPS
FILL THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: cross / danger / grass / hungry / river / travel
September is a special time in Africa. Millions of wildebeest _______(1) across the land. They are looking for fresh food. They want to eat green _______(2). Zebras travel with them too. The big animals walk a very long way every day.
The journey is not easy for them. A big _______(3) is in their way. It is called the Mara River. The water moves very fast. Large _______(4) crocodiles wait in the deep river. The wildebeest must _______(5) this deep water to find food on the other side.
The animals wait near the water. Suddenly one brave wildebeest jumps in. Then thousands of animals jump in too. They swim fast across the wet river. Many animals make it to the green grass. They are safe from _______(6) now. September is very exciting in the wild land of Africa.
Section 2: Main Idea
What is the main idea of the story?
a) Crocodiles like to sleep in the sun during September.
b) Wildebeest travel and cross a river to find grass in September.
c) Zebras learn how to swim in a pool.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
(1) Wildebeest travel across Africa to find green grass. T/F
(2) The Mara River is very dry with no water. T/F
(3) Crocodiles wait in the deep river. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Put these events in order from 1 to 3:
( ) The wildebeest swim fast across the wet river.
( ) Wildebeest walk across the land looking for grass.
( ) One brave wildebeest jumps into the Mara River first.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. River
2. Travel
3. Grass
4. Hungry
5. Danger
a. Wanting to eat food right now
b. Something that can hurt you
c. A green plant on the ground
d. To go from one place to another
e. A large stream of moving water
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
(1) The wildebeest swim across the water _______ they are very hungry.
a) because
b) but
(2) September is an exciting month _______ many animals cross the Mara River.
a) so
b) when
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
(1) Unscramble the words to make a sentence:
A: across
B: Animals
C: swim
D: river
E: the
(2) Unscramble the words to make a sentence:
A: green
B: They
C: eat
D: grass
E: fresh
ANSWER KEY
Warm Up Answer: a) Animals cross a big river in September.
Section 1: (1) travel (2) grass (3) river (4) hungry (5) cross (6) danger
Section 2: b
Section 3: (1) True (2) False (3) True
Section 4: 3, 1, 2
Section 5: 1-e, 2-d, 3-c, 4-a, 5-b
Section 6: (1) a (2) b
Section 7: (1) Animals swim across the river. (B-C-A-E-D) (2) They eat fresh green grass. (B-C-E-A-D)
Section 8: Open student answers.
Thank you for your feedback!