Oral Narrative Passage

Read the passage, then answer the 6 questions that follow. Marking schemes are included.

Read the oral narrative below and answer the questions that follow

A long time ago, all animals had one colour. The chameleon was bright green, and he was very proud of his colour. He would walk slowly through the forest, showing off to everyone he met.

"Look at me," the chameleon would say. "I have the most beautiful colour in the whole forest."

One day, the Great Spirit decided to test the chameleon. He called all the animals to a meeting.

"I have a special task," said the Great Spirit. "I need a messenger who can move through the forest without being seen by the eagle."

The chameleon volunteered immediately. But as soon as he stepped onto the brown earth, the eagle spotted him at once.

"Your green colour gives you away," laughed the eagle.

The chameleon felt ashamed. He begged the Great Spirit for help.

"Very well," said the Great Spirit. "From this day, you shall be able to change your colour to match your surroundings. But remember, this gift comes with a lesson: true beauty is not about showing off, but about adapting to the world around you."

And that is why, to this day, the chameleon changes its colour wherever it goes. My story ends here.

  1. Question 1

    1 mark

    Identify the opening formula used in this story.

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

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  2. Question 2

    1 mark

    Identify the closing formula of this story.

    (1 mark)

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  3. Question 3

    2 marks

    If you were narrating this story, state two things you would do to capture the audience's attention.

    (2 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Change voice tone for different characters (Great Spirit, chameleon, eagle); use dramatic pauses before revealing the Great Spirit's decision; use hand gestures to show the chameleon walking

  4. Question 4

    2 marks

    What character trait of the chameleon is revealed at the beginning of the story?

    (2 marks)

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  5. Question 5

    1 mark

    Give an example of dialogue used in this story.

    (1 mark)

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  6. Question 6

    3 marks

    What moral lesson do we learn from this story?

    (3 marks)

    Marking scheme

    True beauty is not about showing off but about being adaptable. We should be humble and willing to change when needed rather than boasting about what we have.

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