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Hello from Toronto!

3rd Grade Common Core RL.3.1 Letter 156 words ⏱ 20 minESL A1–A2

An email from Mia, who moved with her family to Toronto, to her cousin Lily about the snow, her new school and a new friend.

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Name: ______________________   Date: ____________

Hi Lily,

How are you? I'm sorry I didn't write for so long. We have been in Toronto for three months now, and everything here is still new to me.

The biggest surprise is the weather. Last week it snowed for the first time, and the whole street turned white. My little sister Anna ran outside in her pajamas! Now we have to wear heavy coats, gloves and boots every day. I really miss the sun in Portland.

School is also different. My class has kids from many countries, like India, China and Brazil. At first I was too shy to speak English, but my new friend Emma helps me a lot. In return, I'm teaching her some Hebrew words. Her favorite word is 'yalla'!

Please tell me what's new in our class. Do you still meet everyone at the park on Fridays? Maybe you can visit us in the summer. Write back soon! Love, Mia

📘 Word bank
surprise
something you did not expect
snowed
white flakes of frozen water fell from the sky
pajamas
soft clothes you wear to sleep
heavy
thick and weighing a lot
gloves
clothes that keep your hands warm
In return
as a way of giving something back
favorite
the one you like best

✏️ Questions

  1. Key details

    How long has Mia lived in Toronto?

  2. Key details

    What did Anna do when it snowed?

  3. Word meaning

    In the part about the weather, copy the word that means "feel sad because something you love is far away".

  4. Inference

    Where did Mia probably live before moving to Canada?

  5. Reference words

    In "Her favorite word is 'yalla'", who does "Her" refer to?

  6. Key details

    How does Mia help Emma?

  7. Key details

    Give TWO things Mia has to wear every day now.

  8. Author’s purpose & structure

    Why did Mia write this email?

Questions

  1. How long has Mia lived in Toronto?

    1. Three weeks.
    2. One year.
    3. Three months.
    4. Since last summer.

  2. What did Anna do when it snowed?

    1. She stayed in bed.
    2. She ran outside in her pajamas.
    3. She called her friends in Portland.
    4. She built a snowman.

  3. In the part about the weather, copy the word that means "feel sad because something you love is far away".

    ______________________________________________________________

  4. Where did Mia probably live before moving to Canada?

    1. In Portland.
    2. In Toronto.
    3. In Brazil.
    4. In India.

  5. In "Her favorite word is 'yalla'", who does "Her" refer to?

    1. Lily.
    2. Anna.
    3. Mia's teacher.
    4. Emma.

  6. How does Mia help Emma?

    ______________________________________________________________

  7. Give TWO things Mia has to wear every day now.

    ______________________________________________________________

  8. Why did Mia write this email?

    1. To ask Lily for help with homework.
    2. To tell Lily about the new life in Canada and ask for news.
    3. To invite Lily to a birthday party.
    4. To complain about Emma.

Answer key

  1. c) Three months.
  2. b) She ran outside in her pajamas.
  3. miss
  4. a) In Portland.
  5. d) Emma.
  6. Mia teaches her some Hebrew words.
  7. Any two of: heavy coats, gloves, boots.
  8. b) To tell Lily about the new life in Canada and ask for news.

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