The Cold Case of Agent Arctic Tusk


Agent Arctic Tusk, known to his few confidants as Wally, was not your typical operative. Weighing in at nearly two thousand pounds and possessing a pair of ivory tusks that could pierce sheet metal, he was the crown jewel of the Agency of Marine Intelligence (AMI). Most people assumed a spy should be sleek, lithe, and capable of blending into a crowd of humans. Wally, however, proved that sometimes the best way to hide is in plain sight—or at least, behind a very convincing holographic disguise and a custom-tailored, oversized apron. His current mission was his most perilous yet: infiltrating 'Frosty Swirls,' a trendy frozen yogurt establishment suspected of being the primary distribution hub for an international fish-smuggling ring.
- Operative:
- A secret agent or spy working for an organization.
- Infiltrating:
- Secretly entering or joining a group or place to get information.
- Holographic:
- Using light to create a three-dimensional image that looks like a real object or person.
- Gait:
- A person's particular manner of walking.
- Indulgence:
- Allowing oneself to enjoy something special or pleasurable.
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Main Idea
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Context Clues
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Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Point of View
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Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
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Language & Tone
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Vocabulary
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Writing Prompts
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Who is Wally, and which organization does he represent?
- 2What is the main goal of the fish-smuggling ring that Wally is investigating?
Where this passage belongs
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About this short story passage for Middle School
“The Cold Case of Agent Arctic Tusk” is a short story reading passage about Espionage, written for Middle School. It takes about 7 minutes to read (1,101 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.


