fix the sentence
Sentences from the passage with the capitals and punctuation removed — rewrite each one correctly.
Arizona Argument
Characters:
- Coyote
- Pekari
(Scene: A sunny patch of desert in Arizona. Coyote is lounging under a saguaro cactus. Pekari trots in, looking busy.)
Coyote: Well, well, well. Look what the desert dragged in. If it isn't Percy Pekari, the busiest creature in Arizona. What's got you in such a tizzy today?
Pekari: (Huffily) I'm gathering prickly pear fruit, of course! It’s the best food Arizona has to offer. A fine, nutritious meal. What are you doing, lounging around as usual?
Coyote: Relaxing and enjoying the view! And thinking. Thinking about how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful state. And how tasty those lizards are.
Pekari: Lizards? Really, Coyote? Prickly pear is far superior. It’s juicy, it’s sweet, it’s…prickly!
Coyote: (Chuckles) Prickly is right. Give me a plump lizard any day. Now that's a delicacy. Besides, Arizona's beauty isn't about what you eat. It's about the wide-open spaces and the amazing sunsets.
Pekari: Open spaces? I prefer the cozy shade of the mesquite trees. And the sunsets? Too much orange! I like the green of the desert after a good rain. It’s soothing.
Coyote: Soothing? Where’s your sense of adventure, Percy? Arizona is about the thrill of the chase, the howl of the wind, the mystery of the mountains!
Pekari: The thrill of the chase? Sounds exhausting. I prefer a gentle root around for tasty grubs. Much more satisfying.
Coyote: (Sighs) You know, Percy, we’re never going to agree. You like your prickly pears and your grubs. I like my lizards and my sunsets. But you know what?
Pekari: What?
Coyote: That’s what makes Arizona so great. There's something for everyone. Even busy pekaris and lazy coyotes.
Pekari: (Grumbling) I suppose you have a point. But prickly pear is still better.
Coyote: (Winks) Keep telling yourself that, Percy. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I hear a lizard calling my name.
(Coyote trots off, leaving Pekari to his prickly pears. Pekari munches contentedly, then glances up at the vast Arizona sky.)
Pekari: Still too much orange.
(Pekari goes back to eating, shaking his head. The Arizona sun beats down, indifferent to their debate.)
Listen to Arizona Argument: Coyote vs. Pekari
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Glossary
- Saguaros:
- A very large, tall type of cactus.
- Mesquite:
- A tree or shrub that grows in hot areas.
- Delicacy:
- A rare or expensive food that is seen as very good.
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About this reader's theater passage for Upper Elementary
“Arizona Argument: Coyote vs. Pekari” is a reader's theater reading passage about Arizona Wildlife, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (358 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 “Arizona Argument: Coyote vs. Pekari” online for free and download a printable PDF worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.
What reading level is “Arizona Argument: Coyote vs. Pekari”?
It’s written for Upper Elementary — a reader's theater text about Arizona Wildlife, about a 2-minute read (358 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.