APIEWriting: Guessing Games and Surprises
Guessing games and surprises
Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.
Module 1: Vocabulary Practice
Practice the new words from our unit.
📌 How to use this lesson
👩🏫 Teacher:
Use this to review unit words in 5 minutes; check answers using the answer key.
🧑🎓 Learner:
First, do the exercises to remember the words; then, use them in your writing.
Unit Words To Master:
Put the words in the right order
1. Put the words in order:
2. Put the words in order:
3. Put the words in order:
4. Put the words in order:
Fill in the blanks using the word bank
Word Bank:
1. The magician held a wooden ____ in his hand.
2. We had a short vocabulary ____ in class today.
3. He pulled a small surprise gift out of his shirt ____.
4. I cannot ____ that someone left a mystery box at our school door!
5. Everyone loves to watch a secret ____ show.
Choose the correct word
1. I am 100% ___ that the mystery box is for our class.
2. Can you ___ what is hidden inside the giant box?
3. ___ it is a gift from our principal, but I am not sure.
4. It is ___ a book because the box feels very heavy.
Match the question to its answer
1. Question: "What do you think is in the box?"
2. Question: "Why can't it be a puppy?"
3. Question: "Are you sure it is a game?"
Module 2: Writing Task
Time to write about a surprise!
Writing Prompt
Write a short message to a friend about a mystery box that you found at the school door. Say what you think is inside.
💡 Sentence Starters Frame
Use these starters to help write your message:
- 1. "Today I found a ... at ..."
- 2. "I think it might be ..."
- 3. "It could be ..."
- 4. "It may be ..., but I am not sure."
- 5. "It can't be ... because ..."
- 6. "It must be ... because ..."
✅ Writing Checklist
Make sure your message includes:
- ✓ Where and when you found the box
- ✓ One guess with 'might'
- ✓ One guess with 'could'
- ✓ One guess with 'may'
- ✓ One thing that it can't be and why
- ✓ One thing that it must be and why
Evaluation Criteria:
Module 3: Model Answer
Read a model message for help.
Model Message
Hi Alex,
Today I found a mystery box at the school door. I think it might be a gift for our class. It could be a box of new storybooks. It may be a secret magic set, but I am not sure. It can't be a big teddy bear because the box is too flat. It must be a fun quiz game because I can hear cards rattling inside! What do you think?
See you,
Sam
Useful Phrases & Why They Work
1. "I think it might be..."
Why this works:
Use this to share a soft idea when you are guessing standard possibilities.
2. "It could be..."
Why this works:
Use this to add another good idea to your list of guesses.
3. "It may be..., but I am not sure."
Why this works:
Use this when you have a guess, but you clearly show that you are not 100% sure.
4. "It can't be... because..."
Why this works:
Use this when you are sure something is impossible and you give a clear reason.
5. "It must be... because..."
Why this works:
Use this when you are almost certain because you noticed a real clue (like hearing sounds).
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