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The Chocolate Touch · Garden Heights Academy
Part 3
for The Chocolate Touch · Part 3 · Chapters 5–6
a novel by Patrick Skene Catling
30 min5 Parts
This workbook is built on a solid pedagogical foundation, effectively integrating content and language learning based on the CLIL framework (Content and Language Integrated Learning), elevated by our unique 5th C — Connection — and an integrated Standardized Test section that weaves every SAT & TOEFL question type right into the novel, so learners build real test skills easily, naturally, and with fun.
What Happens in Part 3
At first John is delighted — what could be better than turning everything into chocolate? But the magic quickly becomes a curse. No matter what he tries to eat or drink, the moment it touches his mouth it turns to chocolate: his lunch, his drink, even ordinary things he chews. He cannot taste anything else, and being unable to swallow a simple glass of water starts to feel frightening rather than fun.
What We Will Learn
Focus
What It Means
Plot (The Turn)
How the wonderful magic becomes a curse
Cause & Effect
Every touch of John’s mouth turns things to chocolate
Vocabulary
Feelings and the senses
Chapter Summary
Chapter
Key Events
Ch.5
John enjoys the magic at first, turning all sorts of things into chocolate
Ch.6
The fun fades as everything — even water — turns to chocolate and John cannot escape it
Copyright Notice
This is an independent study guide created by Garden Heights Academy to support reading comprehension and literary analysis. It contains original analysis questions and does not reproduce any text from the novel. The Chocolate Touch is a work by Patrick Skene Catling. This guide is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by the author or any associated rights holders. Students should read the original book, available from libraries and booksellers.
Part 1
Vocabulary
Study 10 key words from Chapters 5–6, then answer each question.
🧠Knowledge Bank · Sugar and Your Teeth
Health Science · Teeth & DecayDr. Cranium warns John for a real reason. When you eat a lot of sugar, you are not the only one enjoying it. Tiny germs called bacteria live in your mouth, and they feast on the sugar left on your teeth. As they eat, they make an acid that slowly wears little holes, called cavities, into your teeth. That is why dentists ask you to brush and to keep sweets as a sometimes treat. John eats candy all day long, so his teeth are in real danger. Caring for your body means enjoying sugar in small amounts and keeping your smile healthy.
delightedadj.Ch.5
Very pleased and happy
“At first John was delighted.”
cursen.Ch.6
A magical cause of trouble or bad luck
“The gift became a curse.”
thirstyadj.Ch.6
Needing a drink
“John grew thirsty but could not drink.”
swallowv.Ch.6
To make food or drink go down your throat
“He could barely swallow anything.”
constantadj.Ch.6
Happening all the time without stopping
“The chocolate was constant now.”
escapev.Ch.6
To get away from something
“He could not escape the magic.”
sicklyadj.Ch.6
Unpleasantly sweet or unhealthy
“Everything had a sickly taste.”
frightenv.Ch.6
To make someone afraid
“The curse began to frighten him.”
stickyadj.Ch.5
Covered in something that clings
“His hands were sticky with chocolate.”
realizev.Ch.6
To suddenly understand
“John began to realize the danger.”
ⓘ The vocabulary words in this list are selected to help you understand and complete this workbook. Some may not appear verbatim in the original novel.
1Very pleased and happy means ___.Ch.5
2True or False: A “curse” brings good luck and happiness.Ch.6
3Needing a drink means feeling ___.Ch.6
4True or False: To “swallow” is to make food or drink go down your throat.Ch.6
5Fill in each blank with the correct word.Ch.5–6
Word choices:delightedcurseescapethirsty- some words will not be used
John was at first, but soon the was one he could not .
6True or False: Something “constant” keeps happening without stopping.Ch.6
7Covered in something that clings means ___.Ch.5
8True or False: To “frighten” someone is to make them feel calm.Ch.6
9Fill in the blanks with the correct words.Ch.6
Word choices:swallowsicklyrealizesticky- some words will not be used
Everything tasted , and John could hardly a thing.
10To suddenly understand something means to ___.Ch.6
Part 2
Comprehension
How well do you understand Chapters 5–6?
🧠Knowledge Bank · Reading Between the Lines
Reading Skill · InferenceSometimes an author does not tell you everything straight out. Instead the writer leaves hints and lets you work the rest out. Building an unspoken idea from clues is called inference. In these chapters John’s wonderful gift begins to feel far less wonderful. The book need never use the word curse, yet you can sense his delight turning to worry. Notice the small signs: a spoiled drink, a nervous glance, a wish he could undo. Add those signs together, the way a detective does, and you will understand how John truly feels. Reading between the lines makes you a sharper reader.
1How does John feel about the magic at first?Ch.5
2What turns to chocolate when it touches John’s mouth?Ch.6
3Why does the magic start to feel frightening?Ch.6
4True or False: John can still drink a normal glass of water.Ch.6
5Write the numbers 1–5 in the boxes to show the correct order of events in Part 3.Ch.5–6
He turns all kinds of things into chocolate for fun.
Soon everything he tastes becomes chocolate.
The magic starts to feel like a frightening curse.
He cannot even drink a glass of water.
At first John is delighted with his chocolate touch.
6True or False: The chocolate touch happens every time John’s mouth touches something.Ch.6
7What does John slowly begin to realize?Ch.6
8Why can John no longer enjoy his food?Ch.6
9True or False: The magic that seemed wonderful is turning into a curse.Ch.6
10Fill in the blanks.Ch.5–6
Word choices:chocolatewatergoldcandy- some words will not be used
Even a glass of turned to the moment it touched his mouth.
Part 3
Literary Elements
Understanding HOW and WHY Patrick Skene Catling creates certain feelings across Chapters 5–6.
🧠Knowledge Bank · Catling’s Word-Craft: A Gift That Is a ‘Curse’
Literary Craft · IronyAt first John’s magic feels like the finest gift in the world; within a chapter or two the same gift has become a curse, because he can no longer drink water or eat real food. When the opposite of what we expect comes true, that is irony. The old myth works the same way, and the golden touch nearly starved its king. Language has since turned the warning upside down: today we say a lucky person has the ‘Midas touch,’ meaning everything they handle becomes a success. Catling restores the original sting. Watch one magic power turn from a joy into a trap.
📚 Literary Devices in This Part · definitions & examples
The turning point is where the gift starts to feel like a curse.Every touch of John’s mouth (cause) turns things to chocolate (effect).It is ironic that a candy-lover is ruined by endless candy.
The questions below are mixed — not grouped by device. Decide which device each one is about.
1The moment the magic gift starts to feel like a curse is the story’s —Ch.5–6
2A turning point is the moment a story’s direction changes.Ch.5–6
3Fill in each blank with the correct word.Ch.5–6
Word choices:ironycauseeffectturning- some words will not be used
That a candy-lover is ruined by candy is a bitter
Each touch of his lips is the .
4That a boy who loves candy is undone by endless candy is an example of —Ch.5–6
5Irony just means something is funny, with no surprise or opposite twist.Ch.5–6
6Fill in each blank with the correct word.Ch.5–6
Word choices:effectcauseturningsymbol- some words will not be used
When John’s lips touch food (the
the food turning to chocolate is the .
7Each time John’s mouth touches something, it turns to chocolate. This is a clear —Ch.5–6
8Why is it ironic that the chocolate touch ruins John?Ch.5–6
9Fill in each blank with the correct word.Ch.5–6
Word choices:turningironycausemystery- some words will not be used
These chapters are the story’s
The candy-lover’s ruin is pure .
10Showing the magic gift turn sour mainly warns us that —Ch.5–6
Part 4
Think Deeper
Four deeper challenges — no single-word recall. Read, weigh the evidence, and reason it through.
🧠Knowledge Bank · Getting What You Wish For
Ethics · Wishes & ConsequencesJohn finally has what he begged for, and it is making him miserable. That is a strange and important idea to sit with. Sometimes the thing we want most is not the thing that is good for us. A grown-up might call this ‘getting what you wish for.’ The wish comes true, but the happiness does not. Why? Because John wished with his stomach, not his head. He never thought about tomorrow, only about right now. As you read, think about your own wishes. A wish worth having is one you have weighed with a patient, careful heart.
1Claim: “John’s power turns from a delight into a curse.” — choose the two details that best prove it.Claim & Evidence
2The delight at first, or the curse it becomes? Tap each item to send it left or right.Sort into two
◄ The delightThe curse ►
3Match each cause to its result. For each cause, pick its result.Cause & Effect
John’s touch turns things to chocolate→
He tries to eat other food→
He reaches for a drink of water→
The power will not stop→
4Fill both blanks to complete the reasoning.Build the Argument
The chocolate power becomes a curse because , which shows that .
Part 5
Standardized Test · Words in Context & Factual Detail
Part 3 practices exam reading skills — Vocabulary in Context, Factual Detail & Main Idea — in the styles the SAT and TOEFL use. Read the passage (the highlighted words are tested below), then choose the answer best supported by the text.
🎓Knowledge Bank · How the SAT & TOEFL Ask
Test Skills · Part 3This section keeps building the four exam question families: Vocabulary in Context, Main Idea, Inference, and Author’s Purpose. For a vocabulary item, cover the word, read the sentence, and predict a replacement before you look at the choices; for main idea and purpose, ask what job the whole passage is doing.
Chocolate begins as a seed inside a large pod that grows on the trunk of the cacao tree. Farmers split the pods open and scoop out the seeds, which are called cacao beans. The beans are first left to ferment for several days, a hidden chemical change that develops their deep flavor. Next they are dried in the sun and then roasted, which makes them smell rich and fragrant. Workers grind the roasted beans into a thick brown paste, and this paste is the true source of every chocolate bar. Sugar and milk are added to sweeten the bitter paste, because pure cacao is far too sharp to enjoy on its own. The mixture is then stirred for hours until it becomes perfectly smooth. Only then is it poured into molds, where it cools and hardens into the bars we know.
Original passage written for Garden Heights — not a quotation from the novel.
1As used in the passage, the word “ferment” most nearly means —SAT · Words in Context
2According to the passage, cacao beans are left to ferment in order to —TOEFL · Factual Information
3According to the passage, where does chocolate begin?TOEFL · Factual Information
4As used in the passage, the word “sweeten” most nearly means —SAT · Words in Context
5According to the passage, why are sugar and milk added to the cacao paste?TOEFL · Factual Information
6In the passage, the word “smooth” is closest in meaning to —TOEFL · Vocabulary
7The passage most strongly suggests that pure cacao paste is —TOEFL · Inference
8Which statement best expresses the central idea of the passage?SAT · Central Ideas
9The passage most strongly suggests that eating a raw cacao bean would taste —TOEFL · Inference
10Why does the author describe the steps in order, from pod to bar?SAT · Text Structure & Purpose
Part 6 · Optional
Creative Writing
A bonus challenge to practice your English. Take your time and have fun with it.
About This Section
This writing task is optional and is not part of your auto-graded score. The feedback below checks only the basics — length, spelling, and grammar — not whether your ideas are right or wrong. It is meant for classroom discussion and creative practice, so feel free to use your imagination!
Writing Task — Part 3 “Be Careful What You Wish For”
John’s wish came true and made him miserable. Write about a wish that might sound wonderful but could go wrong if it really happened. What is the wish, and what problems could it bring? Write at least 40 words.
You can start with: “It sounded like the perfect wish, until…”
0 / 40 words minimum
🗣 Teach It · Just for Fun (optional)
No right or wrong — close the screen and tell someone nearby what happened in this part. Can’t find anyone? Tell yourself out loud. The moment you teach it, you truly understand it.
Part 3 Complete!
You finished Chapters 5–6 of The Chocolate Touch.
Here are your auto-graded results:
-
points out of 100
Your Writing
Your writing was checked automatically for length, spelling, grammar, and whether you included the key parts of the scene. Scroll back to Part 5 anytime to read your feedback and improve your work.
Independent study guide by Garden Heights Academy. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the author or any rights holders. Contains original analysis only; no text from the novel is reproduced.
