Easystart - Tinkers Island (pdf)

The year is I798, and Jenny and her father, Sam Tinker, are working in the market. Sam gets mistaken for a thief and finds himself on a ship full of crtminals. They are on their way to Australia. Jenny has her own plans to rescue him. Penguin Readers are simplified texts designed in association with Longman, the world famous educational publisher, to provide a step-by-step approach to the joys of reading for pleasure . Each book has an introduction and extensive activity material. They are published at seven levels from Easystarts (200 words) to Advanced (3000 words). Series Editors: Andy Hopkins and Jocelyn Potter ~ Contemporary Classics 6 Advanced (3000 words) Originals 5 Upper Intermediate (2300 words) 4 Intermediate (1700 words) D• British English 3 Pre-Intermediate (1200 words) American English 2 Elementary (600 words) I Beginner (300 words) Easystarts (200 words) I I~ Cassette also published www.penguinreaders .com IIILJo;\\r..mon. by M I;~ Salt~r ISBN 0-582-46830-2 Published and distributed by II I Pearson Education Limited 9\"7805 8306



0.\" lIubln urI,,·,,1I Penguin Readers have 7 levels: from beginner to advanced. Ask your teacher or visit our website at: www.penguinreaders.com Free Penguin Readers Factsheets available













After three days Sam and Jenny are very hungry and thirsty. Then, after five days Jenny sees a big white bird. It is carrying some grass. \"Look Dad,\" she says. \"Do you think there's an island near here?\" Sam Tinker stands up in the small boat. He puts one hand across his eyes. \"Yes, Jenny, you're right! I can see it. There is an island!! \" 7

1 The island is big and has lots of tall, thick trees. First 1 Sam and Jenny look for food and water. They find a small river. The water is cold and clean. They drink and J drink and drink. There are coconuts on the island, too. The Tinkers know coconuts from Covent Garden market. Sam opens two of them and gives the first one to Jenny. 8

1 That night Sam and Jenny sleep on the beach. They are 1 very tired. In the morning they start to make a small house with grass and wood. They work very hard. After J four days they finish. Then Sam makes a flag with his shirt and puts it on the roof. He and Jenny look up at the flag. \"This is 'Tinkers Island' now,\" Sam says. \"It's our new home and we're going to be happy here.\" 9

Sam and Jenny are very happy for the first year. Every day they work, talk, eat and swim. They like thei r new home. It is quiet and beautiful. Then one day something happens. It is early in the morning. Jenny is fishing. Sam is looking for coconuts . He does not see a long, thi ck snake on the ground. He puts his foot on the snake and it bites him. 10

Two hours later Jenny finds her father on the ground. He cannot walk. She pulls him along the beach to the house. After that there is nothing she can do. Sam is very. very weak. He cannot eat or drink. Jenny sits next to his bed for three days and nights. Then Sam opens his eyes . \"Jenny? \" he asks. \"Jenny - is that you? \" 11

After ten days Sam is well again, but not very strong. He sleeps a lot and Jenny does all the work. She catches fish, finds coconuts, makes fires and cooks. Then, one morning, she sees something. It is a ship and it is coming to the island. She runs to the house to find her father. \"Dad, Dad!\" she says. \"Come and look!\" 12







Questions Where do Sam and jenny Tinker work? (page 1) 2 Why does the man with the watch give: it to Sam? (page 2) 3 Where do they usually send thieves? (page 3) 4 What job does jenny get on the Black Star? (page 4) 5 How does she free her father? (page 5) 6 Who sees the island first - Sam or jenny? (page 7) 7 How do they make a flag and where do they put it? (page 9) 8 What happens after Sam puts his foot on a snake? (page 10) 9 Where are the Tinkers going at the end of the story? (page 15) Puzzle How many English words can you make from the letters in TI NKERS lSLAND? Here are four to help you start: dark / tea / real / train Ideas At the end of Tinkers Island Sam and jenny go to America. There, they start a new life. W rite a letter (from Sam or jenny) to Peter Stone in London. 2 Draw or paint a picture of a) a fruit and vegetable market b) the kitchen on the Black Star c) Tinkers Island 3 Find these islands in an atlas: Hawaii / Minorca / Crete / Fiji / Jersey / Tasmania 16