Practise Retrieval Skills

After reading a text, the first questions we are given tend to be retrieval questions.

Retrieval questions are where we have to find, or fetch, key information from a text.

This is why some dogs are called retrievers as they like to fetch things.

Retrieval questions often start with the words who, what, why, when or where? We call these the 5 Ws.

In this activity, you’ll be answering retrieval questions about a text. Read the text carefully as the answers will be there. Have a read of the text below and then get started on the questions. Remember, you can look at the text whenever you need to by clicking on the red help button on the screen.

The Magical Toy Maker: The Enchanting Journey of Clara Everwood

 In a quaint village in the heart of England, there lived a talented and kind-hearted toymaker named Clara Everwood. She was acknowledged far and wide as the creator of the most enchanting toys in the universe. Clara's journey began with a heart full of dreams and hands that could bring imagination to life. Soon, her toys would capture the hearts of children all over the United Kingdom.

As a young girl, Clara spent her days exploring the forests and meadows adjacent to her village. She had a distinct fondness for the whispers of the wind and the secrets of the ancient trees. When she was surrounded by nature, Clara's eyes sparkled like rubies and her mind overflowed with endless ideas for magical creations. Her father, a skilled carpenter, taught her the art of woodworking. Clara's skills soon blossomed and her creations became more intricate and imaginative.

When Clara turned 21, she decided to convert her passion into a business. She transformed her family's old workshop into a magical haven filled with wood, paint, and an abundance of creativity. It was as colourful as a rainbow. With every stroke of her paintbrush and every carefully carved detail, Clara's toys began to come to life. Word spread like wildfire about the magical wonders that were being crafted in her workshop; children from villages far and wide were eagerly awaiting their turn to own a Clara Everwood creation.

Clara's toys were unlike any others: they sang sweet melodies, moved elegantly, and held secrets only a child's heart could unlock. Her enchanted animals danced and growled while her wooden soldiers stood as tall as proud knights. When little children held Clara’s careful creations, it felt like they were holding a piece of magic itself. Schools, fairs, and toy shops demanded her creations and children across the United Kingdom cherished their Clara Everwood treasures.

As the years passed, Clara's hands grew tired but her heart remained forever young. She knew it was time to pass the torch to the next generation of toy makers. With a heart full of gratitude, Clara retired, leaving behind an everlasting legacy of wonder and joy. Her workshop became a museum where children could visit and witness the pitter-patter of her clever mechanical toys moving along the wooden floors.