A Young Hero

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykTniYb4moo

A 13-year-old Australian boy has been described as a hero after a dramatic swim that saved his family. The teenager and his family were enjoying a beach holiday in Western Australia. While kayaking and paddleboarding in shallow water, strong  winds suddenly pushed them far from the coast. Before they realised the danger, they were more than four kilometres from land and daylight was beginning to fade.

The boy decided to kayak back to shore to get help. However, the rough waves damaged his kayak, causing it to flip over and fill with water. He also lost one of his paddles. Realising he had no alternative, he chose to swim to land, even though the area was known for sharks. It was an exhausting and frightening decision, but he remained focused on saving his family.

After a long and difficult swim, he finally reached the beach. Completely exhausted, he collapsed on the sand before getting up and running two kilometres to find a phone. His call for help started a large rescue operation. Coastguards eventually located and rescued his mother and two sisters.

Rescuers later praised the boy’s courage and determination, describing his actions as “extraordinary.” Experts explained that the weather conditions were hazardous and that strong winds can quickly carry people out to sea. Authorities emphasized the importance of water safety and preparation.

Despite all the attention, the teenager remained humble. He insisted that he simply did what anyone would do to protect their family. His community expressed immense gratitude and admiration for his bravery.

2. Vocabulary Match

Match each word with the correct definition.

Paragraph 1

  1. dramatic   a. becoming less bright or strong

  2. shallow   b. the land at the edge of the sea

  3. shore              c. not deep

  4. coast    d. the land beside the sea

  5. coastguards       e. movement in the water because of the wind

  6. waves     f. exciting or serious

  7. fade                  g. police officers of the ocean 

Paragraph 2

  1. paddles    h. broken or harmed

  2. damaged   i. another choice

  3. frightening   j. very tiring

  4. exhausting   k. very scary

  5. collapsed    l. concentrated on something

  6. focused    m. fell down from extreme tiredness

  7. alternative    n. long flat tools used to move a boat

Paragraphs 3 & 4

  1. courage    o. the act of saving someone

  2. rescue   p. the ability to face danger

  3. hazardous  q. strong decision to continue

  4. determination   r. very dangerous

  5. immense   s. gave special importance to

  6. emphasized    u. extremely large

2. EVERYDAY HEROES: To what degree are these people heroes? What herioc deeds do they do? Complete this table.

 

Degree

Deeds

Nurses

 

 

English teachers

 

 

Police officers

 

 

Chefs

 

 

Street cleaners

 

 

Presidents

Producers

Journalists

 

 


3. ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARES: Rank these. Put the worst nightmares at the top and tell us why each one would be nightmarish for you ?

·         Being lost at sea

·         Losing your smartphone

·         Very noisy neighbours

·         Going to prison

·         A chocolate allergy

·         Year-long hiccups 

       Looking for a new apartment

·        

·         Chronic insomnia


4. CHOOSE ONE : 

Choose one of these situations and express why you think it is the most:
COURAGEOUS, VALIENT AND BRAVE:

1. A firefighter enters a burning building to save a child.

2. A teenager stands up to bullies to protect a new student.

3. A doctor travels to a poor country to help sick people during an epidemic.

4. A woman reports corruption in her company, even though she may lose her job.

5. A child admits they broke something instead of lying.

6. A stranger jumps into a river to save someone who is drowning.

7. A person publicly shares their story about overcoming depression to help others.

8. A journalist reports the truth in a country where the media is controlled by the government.

9. A scientist refuses to change research results, even when a powerful company offers money.

10.A neighbor shelters a refugee family despite criticism from the community.

11. A student speaks publicly about experiencing discrimination at school to demand change.


5. PERSONAL REFLECTION PAIRS

  • 1.What scares you the most?

  • 2.Have you ever had to be brave? Tell us about it ?

  • 3.Who do you consider to be the most heroic person that you know?

  • 4.Would you risk your life for someone? Who?

  • 5. What qualities does someone need to have to be called a hero ?

  • 6. What were you like as a 13-year-old?

  • 7. What do you think you would have done in a similar situation ?

  • 8. What would you think if you knew you were swimming in a place where sharks might be there? 



6. Divisive Hero:
Choose someone from the list and why they are considered as a Divisive Hero: 
1. Che Guevara
2. Margaret Thatcher
3. Bill Gates
4. Elon Musk
5. Ada Colau
6. Someone not from the list 

7.ROLE PLAY : 5.Role play

Austin has been nominated for the National Young Hero Award. A live TV show is being broadcast across Australia. You will act out what happens before, during, and after the award ceremony.

Roles  

  • 🏅 Austin Appelbee

  • 👩 Austin’s Mother

  • 🚁 Coastguard Rescuer

  • 🎤 TV Host

  • 📰 Journalist

  • 🧠 Psychologist (expert on bravery)

Part 1: Backstage  

Before going on stage, each character prepares:

  • Austin: How do you feel about being called a hero? Do you agree?

  • Mother: What emotions did you experience that day?

  • Coastguard: Explain why the rescue was so dangerous.

  • Psychologist: What makes someone act bravely instead of freezing?

  • Journalist: Prepare 3 challenging or unexpected questions.

  • Host: Plan how to introduce Austin dramatically.

Part 2: Live TV Interview  

The show begins!

  1. The Host introduces Austin with excitement.

  2. The Journalist asks difficult questions (e.g.,

    • “Were you scared you might die?”

    • “Did you ever think of giving up?”

    • “What if sharks had appeared?”)

  3. The Psychologist explains Austin’s courage.

  4. The Coastguard describes the rescue operation.

  5. The Mother gives an emotional thank-you speech.

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