Level 1:
The world’s biggest rubber duck came to New York on August 16th, 2019. It’s 6 floors tall and 11 tons heavy. It traveled from Hong Kong. It went to many countries. People saw the duck in New York Harbor. The duck is part of a race for charity. The race has many small rubber ducks. The first one to cross the finish line wins a prize. The big yellow duck made people happy. People took pictures with it. The event had some problems, but it was still fun. The duck left after the sun went down.
Level 2:
On the 16th of August 2019, the world’s largest rubber duck arrived at New York Harbor. This gigantic inflatable bird stands 6 stories tall and weighs a massive 11 tons. It came all the way from Hong Kong and had previously visited many other countries. Crowds gathered to see the yellow duck, as it was part of a charity race which involved thousands of smaller rubber ducks being released into the harbor. The first duck to cross the finish line won a prize for its owner. Despite some criticism from environmentalists, the event was enjoyed by many people, who took selfies and posed for pictures with the giant duck. The rubber duck left when the sun went down, leaving behind fond memories for those who saw it.
Full Story:
New York City, NY - On August 16th, 2019, New York Harbor welcomed an unusual and delightful visitor - the world’s largest rubber duck!
The massive yellow inflatable duck is 6 stories tall and 11 tons heavy, making it one of the largest rubber ducks in the world. The duck traveled across the ocean from Hong Kong and has made stops in various countries, including Australia, Belgium, and Brazil.
The arrival of the giant duck in New York Harbor caused quite a stir, with people gathering on the docks to catch a glimpse of the spectacle. Some onlookers even brought rubber ducks of their own to welcome the massive visitor.
The duck’s arrival in New York City was part of a larger event called the “Duck Race,” which aims to raise awareness and funds for various charities. The race involves thousands of smaller rubber ducks being released into the harbor, each one numbered and sold to participants. The first duck to reach the finish line wins a prize for its owner.
The world’s largest rubber duck was a special addition to the event, and it was an instant hit with the crowd. Children and adults alike were captivated by the enormous yellow duck, taking selfies and posing for photos with the massive bird.
The rubber duck also drew attention from local media, with news outlets covering the story and interviewing the organizers of the Duck Race. Some New Yorkers even joked that the giant rubber duck could become the city’s newest tourist attraction, joining the ranks of the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building.
But the duck’s visit was not without controversy. Some environmentalists criticized the event, claiming that the plastic materials used to create the duck were harmful to the environment. Others argued that the money spent on the Duck Race and the giant rubber duck would be better used to support local charities and organizations.
Despite these concerns, the Duck Race and the world’s largest rubber duck proved to be a fun and entertaining event for the people of New York City. The duck’s visit was a reminder that sometimes, the simplest things can bring the most joy and happiness to our lives.
As the sun set over New York Harbor, the world’s largest rubber duck was deflated and packed away for its next adventure. But for those who were lucky enough to witness its arrival, the memory of the giant yellow bird will surely stay with them for years to come.
Questions:
When did the world’s largest rubber duck arrive in New York Harbor?
Where did the duck come from before arriving in New York?
What was the purpose of the charity race that the duck was a part of?
How did some environmentalists feel about the event?
Do you think the world’s largest rubber duck could become a popular tourist attraction in New York City? Why or why not?
Fill In the Blanks:
inflatable, deflated, selfies, spectacle
The massive yellow ________ duck is 6 stories tall and 11 tons heavy, making it one of the largest rubber ducks in the world.
The arrival of the giant duck in New York Harbor caused quite a stir, with people gathering on the docks to catch a glimpse of the ________.
Children and adults alike were captivated by the enormous yellow duck, taking ________ and posing for photos with the massive bird.
As the sun set over New York Harbor, the world’s largest rubber duck was ________ and packed away for its next adventure.
Difficult Words:
Inflatable - capable of being filled with air or gas to increase in size and shape (adjective)
Gigantic - very large, huge, or massive (adjective)
Charity - an organization set up to provide help and raise money for those in need (noun)
Criticism - the act of pointing out faults or shortcomings (noun)
Environmentalist - a person who is concerned about the environment and works to protect it (noun)
Crowds - a large group of people gathered together in one place (noun)
Selfies - a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media (noun)
Pose - to position oneself in a particular way, especially for a photograph or portrait (verb)
Deflated - to release the air or gas from (something inflated) (verb)
Spectacle - a visually striking performance or display (noun)
