Lila had always been a curious girl, with a mind eager to explore every corner of her small town. Every summer, she would set out on new adventures, dreaming of uncovering secrets hidden just beyond the familiar streets. But this summer was different. This summer, she felt a strange pull toward the old woods that bordered the edge of town, a place everyone else avoided because of stories of strange sounds and mysterious lights. One warm morning, with her backpack slung over her shoulder and a flashlight in hand, Lila decided to venture into the woods. As she stepped between the tall, whispering trees, she felt a thrill of excitement mixed with a dash of nervousness. The sunlight filtered softly through the leaves, casting dancing shadows on the ground. Birds chirped overhead, but there was an underlying silence that made her senses heighten. Lila wandered deeper, following a narrow trail that twisted and turned. Suddenly, she stumbled upon something unusual. Hidden among the bushes was a small, weathered box covered in moss and vines. Her heart pounded with curiosity. Carefully, she brushed away the dirt and opened it. Inside, she found an assortment of unusual objects: an old pocket watch, a faded photograph of a young girl with striking eyes, and a tiny, intricately carved wooden key. She wondered who had left these items behind and why. As she examined the objects, a faint, almost musical hum filled the air. Surprised, Lila looked around and noticed a faint glow coming from behind a thick cluster of bushes. Pushing through the foliage, she discovered a small clearing she had never seen before. In the center stood an ancient stone pedestal with a carved keyhole. The wooden key from the box fit perfectly into the slot. With a deep breath, Lila turned the key. Instantly, a soft glow enveloped the clearing, and the air shimmered like a mirage. Before her eyes, a small door opened at the base of the pedestal, revealing a spiral staircase that seemed to descend into darkness. Her heart fluttered with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. She hesitated for a moment, then stepped inside. The staircase spiraled down into a cavernous space lit by glowing crystals embedded in the walls. As she descended, she saw shelves lined with strange, ancient books and artifacts that looked as if they belonged to a forgotten world. On a large table in the center, there was a map dotted with symbols and markings, some matching the objects she had found in the box. Lila realized she had uncovered a secret long buried beneath her town, a hidden history that connected her to stories of explorers and adventurers from centuries ago. She knew she couldn’t keep this discovery to herself. Carefully, she took photographs of the map and the artifacts with her phone, planning to share her findings with her history teacher. As she climbed back up the stairs, she felt a newfound sense of wonder and responsibility. She had uncovered a piece of her town’s secret past, and she knew her adventures had only just begun. The woods, once a place of mystery and fear, had become her gateway to a world of discovery. From that day on, Lila’s summer adventures took on a new meaning—each day was an opportunity to learn, to explore, and to uncover the stories that lay hidden just beneath the surface of her everyday life.

Answer the following questions based on the passage above.