Leah loved walking through the old garden behind her grandmother’s house. One warm afternoon, she noticed several small caterpillars eating leaves from a tall milkweed plant. They were bright green with tiny black stripes, and they moved slowly but confidently. Leah watched them every day, and she soon felt as if they were her little friends.
After a week, the caterpillars stopped eating. Instead, each one attached itself to a branch and formed a small green case called a chrysalis. Leah was surprised. She had read about metamorphosis in school, but she had never seen it happen in real life. She promised herself she would come back every morning to check on them.
About ten days later, Leah woke early and ran to the garden. The chrysalises were shaking gently. Suddenly, the first one cracked open, and a butterfly slowly came out. Its wings were soft and wet, and it had to wait before it could fly. One by one, the other butterflies also emerged, each one unfolding colourful wings.
Leah felt a quiet excitement as the butterflies finally lifted into the air. She realised that change can be slow and sometimes difficult, but it can also be beautiful. The caterpillars had shown her that patience often leads to wonderful results.
🌿 English Review Tasks
🔥 B1 – B2 English Story – The Caterpillars’ Secret – Intermediate Practice
A. Vocabulary Practice
1. Match the words to their meanings.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| a. chrysalis | 1. A small creature that becomes a butterfly |
| b. caterpillar | 2. A protective case where a caterpillar changes |
| c. metamorphosis | 3. To look at something carefully |
| d. observe | 4. A slow and natural change into a new form |
| e. emerge | 5. To come out or appear |
2. Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.
Leah visited the garden every day to __________ the caterpillars.
(observe / clean / hold)
The caterpillar formed a green __________ under the branch.
(chrysalis / seed / nest)
A butterfly will __________ when the transformation is complete.
(dig / emerge / hide)
The process of changing from caterpillar to butterfly is called __________.
(metamorphosis / migration / hibernation)
Leah felt excited when she saw the butterfly come out of its __________.
(chrysalis / root / stem)
B. Grammar & Structure Practice
1. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
(Use past simple or present perfect.)
Leah __________ (watch) the caterpillars every day for a week.
They __________ (stop) eating before forming their chrysalises.
Leah __________ (see) butterflies in books, but never in real life.
The first butterfly __________ (come) out early in the morning.
Leah __________ (learn) that patience can lead to beautiful results.
2. Combine the ideas using connectors
(and, because, but, so, although).
Example:
Leah was curious. She visited the garden every day.
→ Leah visited the garden every day because she was curious.
- The caterpillars stopped eating. They formed chrysalises.
- Leah checked the garden each morning. She wanted to see the change.
- The butterflies had wet wings. They could not fly immediately.
- The change was slow. Leah stayed patient.
- The butterflies flew into the air. Leah felt proud and happy.
C. Writing Practice
✏️ Short Response (70 – 100 words)
Question:
In the story, Leah watches the caterpillars carefully until they become butterflies.
👉 Do you think observing nature can teach people important lessons? Why or why not?
Use these words and expressions to help you:
change, beautiful, patient, observe, learn, nature, slow, exciting, time, grow
🌸 Extension (Optional Creative Task)
✨ Imagine you are one of the butterflies that has just emerged from the chrysalis.
Write a short paragraph (60 – 80 words) about how it feels to stretch your wings for the first time, what you see in the garden, and what you want to explore.
Use descriptive adjectives (e.g., bright, soft, colourful, warm, gentle, free).
How did you find this intermediate English story? Check out the stories page for more!
Don’t forget to review grammar on our grammar page too.
