Thor and the Big Fish
Thor was the strongest god. One day he went to visit a giant named Hymir.
Hymir lived by the sea. In the morning, he said, "I am going fishing!"
"May I come?" asked Thor. Hymir laughed. "You are too small for the sea!"
Thor did not mind. He took a big piece of meat for his hook. Then they got in the boat.
Thor rowed so fast! Hymir could not keep up. The boat flew over the waves.
Soon the land was far, far away. "Stop!" said Hymir. "It is not safe here."
Thor said, "Just a little more." He rowed on. Then he let his hook sink into the sea.
Something took the hook! It pulled and pulled. "A very big fish!" said Thor.
Thor pulled back with all his might. His feet pushed hard on the boat. Hymir shook with fear.
Up came a huge head, as big as a hill. It was not a fish. It was the world-snake!
Thor lifted his hammer. But Hymir was so scared that he cut the line.
The snake sank down into the sea. It was not hurt, and the boat was safe.
Thor was a little cross. But he had seen the world-snake! And Hymir did not boast again.
Questions
- A giant named Hymir
- A king
- His brother
- A boot
- A very big fish
- A rope
- He was scared
- He was hungry
- He was angry at the fish
- A whale
- The world-snake
- A shark
- To sleep
- To hide
- To brag
Words to know
- giant: a huge person
- hook: a bent fish catcher
- boast: brag
- hammer: a hitting tool
Answer key: Thor and the Big Fish
- A. A giant named Hymir
- B. A very big fish
- A. He was scared
- B. The world-snake
- C. To brag
For the teacher: how this passage is levelled
“Thor and the Big Fish” is a reading level 6 story. Every Peabody story at this level is written and checked to keep sentences to 10 words or fewer, to aim at an average of 6 words a sentence, and to show 12 to 20 words on a screen. At most 7% of its words may be off the familiar-word list. Readers reach this level by climbing, not by grade.
| This passage | 209 words, 13 screens, 5 multiple-choice questions with an answer key, and 4 vocabulary words with kid-sized meanings |
|---|---|
| Longest sentence at this level | 10 words |
| Words on a screen | 12 to 20 |
| Skills practised at this level | phonics (sounding words out), first sounds, sight words |
Reading level 6: the limits, a real sample and the free games. Peabody is a learning app, not an assessment: use the questions to talk about the story, not to grade a child.