Leon’s hobby

The Edited Story

Leon was an avid model airplane collector. He enjoyed assembling the parts of airplanes together. He would buy many collectible models and spend exorbitant amounts on them. Sometimes, one model airplane could cost him as much as three hundred dollars!

He even had a special cabinet where he displayed the completed models. Once in a while, he would take the models out to dust and clean them. He did not actually play with them for fear that he would break something. He locked up this cabinet so that his younger brother, Ned, would not have access to his precious collection.

One day, Leon was in the middle of dusting his model airplanes. Halfway through, he suddenly heard a loud voice. He put his things down and ran to the balcony.

It was just at this moment when Ned came into the room to look for Leon. Their mother had sent him to call Leon down for his lunch.

When he saw that the bedroom was empty and that the cabinet was unlocked, Ned could not resist the temptation to take a closer look. Leon had never let him touch one of his planes before and this was a rare opportunity for Ned.

Ned crept over to the table where Leon had been working. He gingerly picked up the plane and stared at it in awe. He was fascinated by the intricate details and design of the plane. It looked so realistic!

It was no wonder that Leon loved his collection so much. Just then, Ned heard the sound of walking (sound of footsteps) and he knew that Leon was coming into the room soon.

He hastily put the plane down and accidentally used a little too much strength. One of the plane parts chipped off!

Ned gasped in horror but he had no choice but to hurry out of the room or Leon would know that he was the culprit.

Five minutes later, Ned could hear Leon complaining to their mother.

Ned knew that he was in trouble. True enough, his mother hollered for him to go to the kitchen. She demanded for Ned to tell the truth and to apologize to Leon.

The Real Story

Leon was an avid model airplane collector. He enjoyed assembling the parts of airplanes together. He would buy many collectible models and spend exorbitant amounts on them. Sometimes, one model airplane could cost him as much as three hundred dollars! He even had a special cabinet where he displayed the completed models. Once in a while, he would take the models out to dust and clean them. He did not actually play with them for fear that he would break something. He locked up this cabinet so that his younger brother, Ned, would not have access to his precious collection.

One day, Leon was in the middle of dusting his model airplanes. Halfway through, he suddenly had a bad stomach ache. He put his things down and dashed to the toilet. It was just at this moment when Ned came into the room to look for Leon. Their mother had sent him to call Leon down for his lunch. When he saw that the bedroom was empty and that the cabinet was unlocked, Ned could not resist the temptation to take a closer look. Leon had never let him touch one of his planes before and this was a rare opportunity for Ned.

Ned crept over to the table where Leon had been working. He gingerly picked up the plane and stared at it in awe. He was fascinated by the intricate details and design of the plane. It looked so realistic! It was no wonder that Leon loved his collection so much. Just then, Ned heard the toilet flushing and he knew that Leon was coming into the room soon. He hastily put the plane down and accidentally used a little too much strength. One of the plane parts chipped off! Ned gasped in horror but he had no choice but to hurry out of the room or Leon would know that he was the culprit.

Five minutes later, Ned could hear Leon complaining to their mother. Ned knew that he was in trouble. True enough, his mother hollered for him to go to the kitchen. She demanded for Ned to tell the truth and to apologize to Leon. Ned hung his head in shame. He admitted to his actions and promised not to repeat the offence again. At first, Leon was fuming but when he saw how apologetic Ned was, he forgave him.

Answer the following questions from the real story using complete sentences.

1.       Which word in paragraph one tells us that Leon's model airplanes were expensive?

·         The word is ‘exorbitant’.

2.       Explain fully the two things in paragraph one which Leon did which showed that he treasured his collection very much.

·         He kept them in a special locked cabinet and would take them out once in a while to dust and clean them.

3.       Quote the four-word phrase in paragraph one which shows that Leon did not allow his brother to touch his collection.

·         The phrase is 'would not have access'.

4.       What made Leon leave his model airplane unattended?

·         He had a bad stomach ache and had to rush to the toilet.

5.       What was Ned's motive of being in his brother's room?

·         He was supposed to call Leon down for his lunch.

6.       Explain fully what 'this' in paragraph two refers to.

·         It refers to the opportunity that Ned had to actually hold one of Leon's model airplanes.

7.       Why did Ned hastily put the plane down?

·         He realized that his brother was returning to his room.

8.       Why was Ned in a hurry to rush out of his brother's room?

·         He had damaged his brother's airplane and did not want his brother to discover that he was the culprit.

9.       What does 'the truth' (paragraph four) refer to?

·         It refers to Ned damaging his brother's model airplane.

10.   How did Leon react to Ned's apology?

·         He was initially very angry but forgave him when he saw how remorseful his brother was.