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A Busy Day at the Zoo

SSandy1st GradeShort Story2 min read

Image for A Busy Day at the Zoo

Zack: Welcome to the big zoo. My name is Zack.

Liz: Hi Zack! I am Liz. I like to see animals.

Zack: Look at the zebra. Do you see the zigzag lines?

Liz: Yes! Those zigzag lines are black and white.

Zack: The zebra likes to run. He is very fast!

Liz: Look at the bees. They buzzed by the flowers.

Zack: The bees like the red zinnia. I see dozens of them.

Liz: The zinnia smells very good. It is a pretty flower.

Zack: It is time for a puzzle. Can you find the polar bear?

Liz: I see him! He is eating a frozen snack.

Zack: He likes the frozen ice. It is very cold.

Liz: It is breezy today. I zipped up my warm coat.

Zack: The bear will take a snooze now. He is tired.

Liz: Can we see the lizards? They are my favorite.

Zack: Look at the green lizard. Watch him freeze.

Liz: He did freeze! He is very still on the rock.

Zack: He likes to sit in the sun. It makes him warm.

Liz: Why does the lizard freeze like that?

Zack: He will freeze so no one can see him.

Liz: He is like a green puzzle in the grass.

Zack: Yes! He is a very smart green puzzle.

Liz: The wind is very breezy now. My ears are cold.

Zack: It is cold. I zipped my blue vest too.

Liz: Do the bees snooze in the cold air?

Zack: No, the bees go home to their hive.

Liz: I see dozens of bees near the zinnia.

Zack: They are busy bees. They work all day long.

Liz: Do the monkeys zigzag in the trees too?

Zack: Yes! They like to zigzag up and down.

Liz: They move so fast in the breezy trees.

Zack: We have dozens of animals to see here today.

Liz: I am happy we came to the zoo, Zack!

Glossary
Zigzag:
A line or path that turns right and left in sharp turns.
Breezy:
When there is a light or cool wind blowing.
Snooze:
To take a short, light sleep or nap.
Freeze:
To stay very still and not move at all.
Dozens:
A word used to mean a lot of things, usually groups of twelve.
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About this short story passage for 1st Grade

“A Busy Day at the Zoo” is a short story reading passage about Zoo Animals, written for 1st Grade. It takes about 2 minutes to read (323 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

Is this passage free?

Yes. You can read “A Busy Day at the Zoo” online for free and download a printable PDF worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

What reading level is “A Busy Day at the Zoo”?

It’s written for 1st Grade — a short story text about Zoo Animals, about a 2-minute read (323 words).

What’s included with this passage?

An illustrated reading passage, a glossary of key terms, comprehension questions with an answer key, and an interactive quiz.

Can I adapt it for my students?

Yes. With a free account you can remix it to a different grade level or translate it to another language in one click.