When the Wind Roars
The wind howled through the valley as Ella pulled her jacket tighter around herself. She was hiking with her older brother, Marcus, on a narrow trail that snaked up the side of the mountain. The weather had been calm when they started, but now the gusts were so strong they had to shout to hear each other.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Ella called over the roar of the wind.
Marcus glanced back, his face calm but determined. “We’re almost there! Just stick close to the rock wall and watch your step.”
Ella groaned but followed. The wind tugged at her hair and jacket, and the sound was almost deafening. She had half a mind to turn around, but Marcus had been planning this hike for weeks. She didn’t want to be the one to ruin it.
Finally, they reached a small plateau where the trail leveled out. The wind was still fierce, but the view was breathtaking. Below them, the valley stretched out in shades of green and gold, and above them, the sun peeked through fast-moving clouds.
“Wow,” Ella said, catching her breath. “Okay, maybe this was worth it.”
Marcus grinned. “Told you. Sometimes you’ve got to push through the tough stuff to get to the good part.”
Ella rolled her eyes but smiled. “You sound like a motivational poster.”
They sat down on a large rock, shielding themselves from the wind as best they could. Marcus pulled a water bottle from his backpack and handed it to her. “Drink. You’ve been working hard.”
As Ella took a sip, a particularly strong gust of wind rushed past, nearly knocking the bottle from her hands. She laughed, gripping it tightly. “This wind feels like it’s alive!”
Marcus chuckled. “It does, doesn’t it? It’s like it’s testing us.”
Ella leaned back and looked at the sky. The clouds were moving so quickly it was almost dizzying. “It’s kind of scary,” she admitted. “But also… exciting.”
“That’s the thing about challenges,” Marcus said. “They’re scary at first, but once you face them, they’re not so bad.”
Ella thought about that for a moment. “You’re pretty wise for someone who almost tripped on the way up,” she teased.
Marcus laughed. “Hey, nobody’s perfect.”
They stayed there for a while, letting the wind roar around them as they talked about school, plans for the summer, and everything in between. It wasn’t until the sun started dipping below the horizon that they decided to head back down.
As they made their way down the trail, Ella felt a new kind of energy. The wind was still strong, but she didn’t mind it as much. It seemed less like an enemy and more like a companion.
“You were right,” she admitted as they reached the bottom. “Sometimes you’ve just got to keep going, even when it’s tough.”
Marcus smiled. “That’s the spirit. Now let’s go get some food—I’m starving.”
Ella laughed, following him to the car. The wind had finally quieted, but she felt its lesson linger. Sometimes, when the wind roars, you just have to roar back.
Phrasal Verbs & Example Sentences
Pull on – To tighten or adjust clothing.
Example: “Ella pulled her jacket tighter around herself.”
Stick close – To stay nearby.
Example: “Just stick close to the rock wall and watch your step.”
Push through – To persevere through a challenge.
Example: “Sometimes you’ve got to push through the tough stuff.”
Catch one’s breath – To rest after exertion.
Example: “Wow,” Ella said, catching her breath.”
Head back – To return to a previous place.
Example: “They decided to head back down.”
Phrasal Verb Quiz
Fill in the blank with the correct Phrasal Verb
Ella ________ her jacket tighter as the wind howled through the valley.
Marcus told Ella to ________ to the rock wall to stay safe on the narrow trail.
The hike was tough, but Marcus encouraged Ella to ________ the challenging parts.
After reaching the plateau, Ella stopped to ________ and admire the view.
As the sun began to set, they decided to ________ down the trail to the base.
Answers: Phrasal Verbs
Pulled on
Stick close
Push through
Catch her breath
Head back
Idioms & Example Sentences
Shout over the roar – To speak loudly over a noise.
Example: “They had to shout to hear each other.”
Half a mind – To consider doing something.
Example: “She had half a mind to turn around.”
Face the challenge – To confront difficulties.
Example: “Once you face them, they’re not so bad.”
The good part – The reward or benefit after hard work.
Example: “You’ve got to push through the tough stuff to get to the good part.”
That’s the spirit – A phrase encouraging someone’s positive attitude.
Example: “That’s the spirit. Now let’s go get some food.”
Idiom Quiz
Fill in the blank with the correct Idiom
The wind was so loud that they had to ________ just to communicate.
During the climb, Ella had ________ to turn around and head back.
Marcus assured Ella that once she ________, the difficulty wouldn’t seem so bad.
They realized that all their effort was worth it when they reached ________ of the hike.
When Ella felt more positive about continuing, Marcus encouraged her with, “________!”
Answers: Idioms
Shout over the roar
Half a mind
Faced the challenge
The good part
That’s the spirit
Multiple-Choice Questions
Circle the correct answer.
1. "Why does Ella feel uneasy at the beginning of the hike?
a. She is afraid of heights.
b. The wind is howling, making the hike challenging.
c. She is unsure of the trail they are following.
d. The weather is too hot and uncomfortable.
2. How does Marcus respond to Ella’s concerns about continuing the hike?
a. He suggests turning back.
b. He encourages her to stick close to the rock wall and keep going.
c. He says they should take a break until the wind dies down.
d. He ignores her concerns and keeps walking.
3. What does Ella notice when they reach the plateau?
a. The wind becomes even stronger.
b. The view of the valley is breathtaking.
c. The clouds start to rain heavily.
d. The trail becomes more difficult to follow.
4. What lesson does Marcus share with Ella on the plateau?
a. Always prepare better for hikes.
b. Sometimes you must push through challenges to reach the good parts.
c. Avoid hiking in windy weather.
d. Never hike without a guide.
5. How does Ella describe the wind on the plateau?
a. Gentle and calming
b. Fierce and relentless
c. Alive and testing them
d. Silent but eerie
6. What does Ella admit about challenges while talking to Marcus?
a. They are always difficult to overcome.
b. They can feel scary but also exciting.
c. They are not worth the effort.
d. They should always be avoided.
7. What change does Ella feel as they descend the mountain?
a. She feels more connected to nature.
b. She feels exhausted and frustrated.
c. She sees the wind as a companion rather than an enemy.
d. She regrets coming on the hike.
8. What does Ella say about Marcus at the plateau?
a. He is very wise for someone who tripped earlier.
b. He is a skilled and perfect hiker.
c. He should lead more hikes in the future.
d. He underestimated the wind.
9. What does Marcus suggest they do after the hike?
a. Plan another hiking trip
b. Watch the sunset
c. Get food because he is starving
d. Rest and review their hike experience
10. What does the story suggest about facing challenges?
a. It is better to avoid them entirely.
b. Facing challenges can lead to personal growth and rewarding experiences.
c. Challenges should only be faced with professional help.
d. They are always more frightening than exciting.
Answers: Multiple-Choice Questions
b - The wind is howling, making the hike challenging.
b - He encourages her to stick close to the rock wall and keep going.
b - The view of the valley is breathtaking.
b - Sometimes you must push through challenges to reach the good parts.
c - Alive and testing them.
b - They can feel scary but also exciting.
c - She sees the wind as a companion rather than an enemy.
a - He is very wise for someone who tripped earlier.
c - Get food because he is starving.
b - Facing challenges can lead to personal growth and rewarding experiences.
Thought Provoking Question
Do you agree with Marcus’s statement that challenges become less scary once you face them?
Why or why not?