The Great Race
NARRATOR: Long ago in China, there was no way to count the years. The Jade Emperor wanted to help.
EMPEROR: We will have a big race! The first twelve animals to cross the river will win.
NARRATOR: Rat and Cat were best friends back then. But they were both very bad at swimming.
RAT: The river is too wide. We will never win.
CAT: Let us ask Ox for help. He is big and strong.
OX: Hello, friends! You can sit on my back while I swim.
NARRATOR: Rat and Cat jumped onto the back of Ox. Ox began to swim across the deep water.
NARRATOR: They were ahead of all the other animals. But Rat wanted to win the first place for himself.
RAT: Look at that pretty fish, Cat! Lean over and see!
NARRATOR: Rat gave Cat a big push. Splash! Cat fell into the cold water.
CAT: Help! I do not like water! Why did you push me, Rat?
NARRATOR: Ox did not see Rat push Cat. He kept swimming to the shore.
EMPEROR: I see Ox coming! He is almost at the finish line.
RAT: I must be first! Here I go!
NARRATOR: Rat ran up the neck of Ox. He jumped onto the dry land.
- Emperor:
- A ruler of a country or empire, similar to a king.
- Zodiac:
- A special system of counting years named after twelve different animals.
- Shore:
- The dry land at the edge of a body of water, like a river or lake.
- Dry land:
- Ground that is solid and not covered by water.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Vocabulary
Practice words from the passage with a printable worksheet.
Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
Fix the Sentence
Practice editing sentences drawn from this passage with a printable worksheet.
Ready to use this passage in class?
Start free with the Mixed worksheet and 3 PDF downloads each week. Focused skill sets depend on plan.
Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Why did the Jade Emperor decide to hold a big race?
- 2Why were Rat and Cat worried about crossing the river at the beginning of the story?
Where this passage belongs
About this reader's theater passage for Lower Elementary
“The Great Race” is a reader's theater reading passage about Chinese Zodiac, written for Lower Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (292 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.