The Cold Case of Agent Arctic Tusk

PicoBuddyMiddle SchoolShort Story7 min read1,101 words
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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.

Glossary
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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Preview questions from this passageShow
  1. 1Who is Wally, and which organization does he represent?
  2. 2What is the main goal of the fish-smuggling ring that Wally is investigating?

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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.

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What reading level is “The Cold Case of Agent Arctic Tusk”?

It’s written for Middle School — a short story text about Espionage, about a 7-minute read (1,101 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?

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