🏡 The Wind in the Willows – Chapter 5: Home Again

Toad was wet, tired, and hungry.

But he was free—and determined to return to Toad Hall.

As he walked through fields and woods, he thought of hot tea and a warm fire. “I can’t wait to be home,” he said to himself.

But when he got near Toad Hall, something was wrong. He saw smoke from the chimney, lights in the windows—and unfamiliar voices.

Toad crept closer and gasped.

🐾 Wild Weasels and Stoats had taken over his house!

They wore dark clothes and carried sticks. They laughed loudly and threw things.

“They’ve taken my home!” Toad whispered in shock.

He ran to the river and found Rat.

“Rat! It’s terrible! The wild animals have stolen Toad Hall!”

Rat helped him inside and gave him a towel and tea.

“Calm down, Toad,” Rat said. “We’ll fix this. But we need a plan.”

They went to find Badger.

Badger listened carefully. “The wild creatures took your house while you were in prison. They’ve locked all the doors and won’t let anyone in.”

“I must fight them!” shouted Toad. “With swords! And fire!”

“No,” Badger said firmly. “With brains.”

He explained a secret: There was a hidden underground tunnel from the riverbank to Toad Hall.

The four friends—Toad, Rat, Mole, and Badger—would sneak into the house at night and surprise the invaders.

Toad grinned. “This is just like an adventure story!”

That night, they lit their lanterns and entered the secret tunnel. It was dark and cold. The walls were damp. But they kept going.

🐾 At the end of the tunnel, they opened a trapdoor—inside Toad Hall!

They jumped into the dining room.

“Attack!” Badger cried.

The weasels were shocked. They dropped their food and ran.

Rat chased two out the back door. Mole banged pots to scare them. Toad tripped over a rug—but still caught one!

Within minutes, the house was theirs again.

Toad stood proudly. “Toad Hall is safe!”

The friends laughed and hugged.

It was time to clean, rebuild—and celebrate.

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📖 Glossary

Word/Phrase	Meaning
Chimney	A tall pipe that lets smoke out of a house
Weasels / Stoats	Small wild animals (often sneaky in stories)
Towel	Cloth used to dry yourself
Brains (informal)	Intelligence or clever thinking
Trapdoor	A hidden door in the floor

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. How does Toad feel at the beginning of the chapter?

2. What does he find at Toad Hall?

3. Who does he go to for help?

4. What secret does Badger share?

5. What is the plan to take back the house?

6. How do they surprise the wild animals?

7. What happens at the end?

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✅ Answers

1. Wet, tired, hungry—but determined.

2. Wild animals (weasels and stoats) have taken over his home.

3. Rat and Badger.

4. There is a secret tunnel into Toad Hall.

5. They will sneak in through the tunnel at night.

6. They come up through a trapdoor and surprise them.

7. They take back the house and celebrate.

 

✦ IELTS Speaking Practice Test – Cities & Buildings

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Do you live in a city or a town?

2. What kind of buildings are common where you live?

3. Do you prefer modern or traditional architecture?

4. Are there many public buildings near your home?

5. What changes have you seen in your city’s buildings?

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Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a building or place in your city or town that you like.
You should say:

• what it is

• what it looks like

• what it’s used for
  and explain why you like it.

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✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1 Answers

1. I live in a city with lots of modern skyscrapers and residential areas.
2. We have a mix of historic landmarks and newly built apartment blocks.
3. I prefer traditional design, but mixed-use developments are practical.
4. Yes, there are schools, libraries, and even a public transport hub nearby.
5. The city has expanded rapidly, and urban sprawl has become a challenge.

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Part 2 Sample Answer

One building I really like in my city is the Central Library. It’s one of the most impressive cultural buildings we have and is located right in the bustling city centre.

The design is a mix of old and new—part of the building is historic, while another part is a sleek, modern extension. It’s surrounded by green urban spaces, where people sit and read or enjoy the fresh air.

It’s also near a public transport hub, so it’s easy to get to. I go there often to study or just to relax. I love that it combines education, community, and culture all in one place.

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✦ Comprehension Test: Cities & Buildings

1. "The city skyline is full of modern skyscrapers and glass towers."
Q: What kind of buildings shape the skyline?

2. "The town is famous for its historic landmarks, like the old cathedral."
Q: What attracts people to the town?

3. "I live in a quiet residential area about 20 minutes from the city centre."
Q: Where does the speaker live?

4. "The bustling city centre is always crowded with people, shops, and traffic."
Q: What is the city centre like?

5. "The city’s urban sprawl has led to long commutes and less green space."
Q: What is a problem caused by urban sprawl?

6. "Many families prefer living in a suburban neighbourhood with good schools."
Q: Why do families like suburban neighbourhoods?

7. "This area has a mixed-use development of shops, offices, and apartments."
Q: What kind of development is in the area?

8. "The train station is a major public transport hub for the entire region."
Q: What is the train station’s role?

9. "The city invests in cultural buildings like museums, theatres, and libraries."
Q: What kind of buildings does the city support?

10. "Green urban spaces like parks and gardens are important for city life."
Q: Why are green spaces valuable in cities?

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✦ Answer Key

1. Tall, modern buildings made of glass.

2. Old and important places/buildings.

3. In a calm neighbourhood outside the centre.

4. Busy, active, and full of people.

5. Longer travel and fewer natural areas.

6. Peaceful and good for raising children.

7. A mix of housing, offices, and shopping.

8. It connects people to transport services.

9. Places for art, culture, and learning.

10. They improve quality of life and nature in the city.

 

🐾 The Wind in the Willows – Chapter 4: The Escape

Toad sat in his prison cell.
The walls were gray. The bed was hard.
Worst of all, there were no cars, no roads—and no friends.

“I’m too important for prison!” he cried.

The jailer’s daughter was a kind young woman. She brought him warm meals and listened to his stories.

“You’re not a bad animal,” she said. “Just foolish.”

Toad agreed. “I’ve made mistakes. But I must escape!”

One day, the jailer’s daughter had an idea.

“My aunt is a washerwoman. She’s small and quiet. You could wear her clothes and sneak out.”

Toad blinked. “Dress like a washerwoman? Never!”

But the next morning, he changed his mind.

👗 She brought a long skirt, apron, and shawl.
Toad put them on and looked in the mirror. He didn’t look like himself at all.

“Perfect,” she said. “Now walk slowly and don’t speak.”

Toad nodded, held up his skirt, and shuffled down the hallway.

The guards didn’t even notice him.

He walked out the prison gate.

🚪 Free at last!

But now what?

He wandered through the town, looking for a way to escape farther.

Soon, he saw a horse pulling a cart.

“Can I have a ride?” he asked the driver in his high voice.

The man looked at him and laughed. “Jump in, madam!”

Toad sat down and smiled.

But as the cart moved, the man looked at him again.

“You’ve got strange hands for a washerwoman,” he said. “And your voice—it sounds... froggy.”

Toad grew nervous.

Suddenly, a police officer appeared in the road.

The man pointed. “That’s no woman! That’s the Toad who stole a car!”

Toad screamed and jumped off the cart.

He ran down a hill, through a field, and into the river.

🐸 Splash!

Cold water closed over his head. He swam hard and pulled himself to the far side.

Wet and tired, but free.

He looked around.

“I must get home,” he whispered.

But trouble still followed close behind...

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📖 Glossary

Word/Phrase	Meaning
Prison cell	A small locked room for prisoners
Washerwoman	A woman who washes clothes for work
Shuffled	Walked slowly and awkwardly
Wandered	Walked around without a clear direction
Pointed	Used a finger to show something
Splash	The sound or action of hitting water

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. Where is Toad at the beginning of the chapter?

2. Who helps Toad plan his escape?

3. What disguise does Toad wear?

4. How does he get out of prison?

5. What happens in the cart with the man?

6. How does Toad escape the police again?

7. What does Toad say at the end?

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✅ Answers

1. In a prison cell.

2. The jailer’s daughter.

3. Washerwoman clothes (skirt, apron, shawl).

4. He walks out dressed as a woman, and the guards don’t recognize him.

5. The man starts to suspect Toad is not who he says he is.

6. He jumps off the cart and swims across a river.

7. He says, “I must get home.”