My Life as a UFC Fighter
What time does the fighter wake up each day?
Before the call to prayer. (very early)
What does Becky want at the start of the story?
She wants to ride a bike with the boys.
What does the word “discipline” mean in the UFC text?
Self-control and doing what’s needed even when it’s hard.
Name one thing every strong beginning should have.
A character, setting, or a hook to grab attention.
Act out someone waking up early to train for a big fight.
(Students act it out — no written answer.)
Why does the fighter have to follow a strict diet?
To stay healthy and make weight for fights.
What reason does Mum give for not buying Becky a bike?
She's not a boy (she's a girl), they don't have money to buy a bike.
What does “sparring” mean?
Practicing fighting with a partner in training.
What does the middle of a story usually show?
The conflict/problem and the events.
Make a funny sound effect for a bike speeding down a hill.
(Students make sounds like “whoooosh!”)
Name one type of training the fighter does in the gym.
Takedowns, sprawls, shadowboxing, sparring, or jiu-jitsu,
How does Becky feel when she’s told she can’t join the boys?
Angry, frustrated, sad, upset.
Use the word "menace" correctly in a sentence.
eg. The neighborhood cat was a real menace because it always chased birds in the backyard.
What is “conflict” in a story?
The main problem or struggle the character faces.
Show with your face how Becky felt when Mum said no.
(Students make sad/angry faces.)
What big idea does the fighter’s routine show?
Success requires discipline and hard work.
Why might Mum’s rules seem unfair to Becky?
Because she isn’t allowed to join just because she’s a girl.
What does “veranda” mean in Becky’s story?
My sister helped mum clean the "veranda".
A place outside of the house that is open and has a roof.
How can sensory details make your writing better?
They help the reader see, hear, and feel the story.
Create a silly sentence using the word “shadowboxing.”
(Example: “I was shadowboxing my pillow when my cat joined in.”)
Explain how the fighter shows discipline even when training is hard.
He follows a strict routine, wakes up early, trains when tired and when his body hurts, and never breaks diet.
Predict: How might Becky try to overcome this problem?
She might find a way to ride secretly or prove she’s safe and capable.
OR
any other creative, thoughtful answer.
Explain to the class the meaning of "shadowboxing". Provide examples and act it out.
The text says he throws punches alone in front of a mirror — so shadowboxing means practicing punches alone.
Explain one way you can build suspense in your story’s middle.
Add a problem, make the character struggle, or show a close call before the climax.
Combine two characters we’ve read about into one (e.g., Becky as a UFC fighter!) and describe what happens.
(Creative answers — e.g., “Becky joins the UFC and proves girls can win fights.”)