Bad secrets (A2)

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 1

Bad secrets are only bad until you tell someone. What is Maria’s secret and who will help her?

Instructions: 

Do the preparation exercise first and then read the story. After reading, do the exercises to check your understanding.

Preparation

Match the vocabulary with the correct definition and write a–h next to the numbers 1–8.

Now read the text on the next slides

Check your understanding: true or false

TRUE

FALSE

Maria forgot her sports kit.

Maria's mother is angry when the school phones her.

At first, Maria thinks Peter's problem is easier than hers.

Principal Hughes understands Maria's problem.

Maria notices something about Peter in detention.

Maria thinks Peter has a secret like hers.

We don't know who Maria is afraid of.

Maria decides to tell her mum about her problems.

Peter ...

1. often walks out of class.
2. walks out of class for the first time.
3. never walks out of class.
4. Is home schooled

When Maria forgets her sports kit, her mother is angry because ...

1. she wants Maria to do PE.
2. she thinks Maria has lost her sports kit.
3. Maria won't tell her the problem.
4. the sports kit was very expensive

When Peter and Principal Hughes are talking in the principal's office, ...

1. Peter offers to say sorry.
2. Peter offers to pay for the desk.
3. they talk but we don't know what they say.
4. Peter says nothing at all

In detention ...

1. Peter tells Maria a secret.
2. Maria decides to do PE.
3. Maria thinks Peter has a secret.
4. Peter refuses to speak

Maria thinks she has something in common with ...

1. Peter.
2. Mr Hughes.
3. her mother.
4. her Maths teacher

Maria decides to ...

1. keep her secret.
2. tell someone her secret and get help.
3. talk to Peter.
4. telephone the national Child Helpline

Do you agree that bad secrets are only bad until you tell someone?

This story might make you feel like speaking to someone about something that has happened to you, and you might want this to be confidential (private) and with someone you don't know. If you feel this, please look for a child-line number in your country.

https://www.britishcouncil.org/about-us/how-we-work/policies/child-protection/keeping-you-safe

adapted by Susan Corrigan