Reading Success Workbook Grade 6 eBook
Provide focused practice for sixth graders in areas such as comprehension, vocabulary, language, and reasoning. Grade-ap
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Citation preview
GRADE 6
Education/Parenting
RB-904114
This book features activities in: • Vocabulary • Reading Comprehension • Thinking Skills
READING SUCCESS
Reading Success Grade 6 provides students with focused practice to help develop and reinforce reading skills in areas appropriate for sixth-grade students. Reading Success Grade 6 uses a variety of writing types and exercises to help build comprehension, vocabulary, language, reasoning, and other skills important to both reading and critical thinking. In accordance with NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) standards, reading material and exercises are grade-level appropriate with clear instructions to guide each lesson. Activities help students develop reading skills and give special attention to vocabulary development.
• Written Expression • Language Skills
READING
SUCCESS
GRADE
6 CREATED BY TEACHERS!
• Meets NCTE standards • 96 vocabulary flash cards RAINBOW BRIDGE PUBLISHING
www.carsondellosa.com
$9.95 U.S.
• Fiction • Nonfiction • Poetry • And more!
Printed in the USA
RB-904114
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Poetry
Fiction
Nonfiction
Written Expression
Thinking Skills
COMPLETION CHART
Language Skills
Vocabulary
Reading Comprehension
Page Number
Poetry
Fiction
Nonfiction
Written Expression
Thinking Skills
Language Skills
Vocabulary
Reading Comprehension
Page Number
SKILLS MATRIX
64–65
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ABOUT READING SUCCESS
Welcome to Rainbow Bridge Publishing’s Reading Success Grade 6. Reading Success Grade 6 provides students with focused practice to help develop and reinforce reading skills in areas appropriate for sixth-grade students. Reading Success Grade 6 uses a variety of writing types and exercises to help build comprehension, vocabulary, language, reasoning, and other skills important to both reading and critical thinking. In accordance with NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) standards, reading material and exercises are grade-level appropriate with clear instructions to guide each lesson. Activities help students develop reading skills and give special attention to vocabulary development.
Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JulieAnna Kirsch Cover and Layout Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chasity Rice Inside Illustrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andy Carlson Cover Photo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Images used under license from Shutterstock, Inc.
© 2008, Rainbow Bridge Publishing, Greensboro, North Carolina 27425. The purchase of this material entitles the buyer to reproduce activities for classroom use only—not for commercial resale. Reproduction of these materials for an entire school or district is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced (except as noted above), stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (mechanically, electronically, recording, etc.) without the prior written consent of Rainbow Bridge Publishing. Printed in the USA • All rights reserved.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
How to Encourage Reading . . . . . . . . . .3
Asthma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Sixth Grade Reading List . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Anansi and All of the Stories. . . . . . . . . .72
The Domino Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Emily Dickinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
In the Blink of an Eye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
The Blarney Stone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
The Biggest Rock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Br’er Rabbit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
Miracle Mets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Book Review: Bridge to Terabithia . . . . .82
J. R. R. Tolkien . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Philo’s Great Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Book Review: The Hobbit . . . . . . . . . . . .16
The Bigger Picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
The Great Salt Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Keeping a Journal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Odin and the Two Brothers . . . . . . . . . . .20
The Muses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Reflections on Pinewood Lake. . . . . . . .26
The Canoe Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
The Sky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Telling Your Stories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Odin and the Magic Mead . . . . . . . . . .30
The First Lady of Song . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
Penguins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Fireside Chats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
Eleanor Roosevelt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Sue Hendrickson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Mustangs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Robert Frost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
Thor’s Hammer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Totem Poles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
Grantland Rice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Scarecrow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Better-Bet Electronics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Ladybug Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Go Bones! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Frosty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
The Sapphire Pond. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Giant Superstars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
The Rabbit King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
African American Time Line . . . . . . . . .118
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi . . . . .60
The Crossville Soccer Tournament . . . .120
Mom at Bat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
The Eagle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
Anansi and the Pot of Wisdom . . . . . . .66 Mardi Gras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
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Answer Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
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HOW TO ENCOURAGE READING
You can help your child develop good reading habits by reading with him regularly, which can help him acquire a lasting love of reading. Start your child’s school year reading with books from the Reading Success Sixth Grade Reading List. Share your reading experiences. Read some of the books you enjoyed when you were your child’s age. Ask other friends and relatives for book suggestions. Then, share them with your child. Visit the library. Try to find books that meet your child’s specific interests. Ask a librarian which books are popular among children in your child’s grade. Ask about other resources, such as stories on recordings, in magazines, and on computers. Encourage your child to read a variety of materials. Help her understand directions by reading manuals and maps, or allow her to help you cook a meal by reading a recipe. Show your child you like to read. Sit down with your own choice of book, newspaper, or magazine. After dinner, share with him the stories and ideas you read. Relate reading to real life. Help your child read current events from a newspaper. Or, help her find Internet articles about topics she is studying in school. Schedule routine reading. Schedule time for reading several times a week. You can help your child read a book, or you can read stories on designated nights of the week.
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SIXTH GRADE READING LIST
Aiken, Joan The Wolves of Willoughby Chase Alexander, Lloyd The Case of the Funny Money Man
The Fortune Tellers Westmark Armstrong, William H. Sounder Banks, Lynne Reid The Indian in the Cupboard
The Return of the Indian The Secret of the Indian One More River
Creech, Sharon Walk Two Moons
The Wanderer Dahl, Roald Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Fleischman, Sid The Abracadabra Kid: A Writer’s Life George, Jean Craighead My Side of the Mountain
On the Far Side of the Mountain Jacques, Brian Mossflower
The Bellmaker
Brashares, Anne The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Jennings, Paul Unreal
Byars, Betsy The Glory Girl
Konigsburg, E. L. A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver
Pinballs The Midnight Fox McMummy
Korman, Gordon I Want to Go Home!
The Twinkie Squad Cooper, Susan Over Sea, Under Stone
The Dark Is Rising The Boggart Coville, Bruce Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher
The Skull of Truth
Le Guin, Ursula K. A Wizard of Earthsea Lindgren, Astrid Pippi Longstocking Lowry, Lois Messenger
The Silent Boy
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SIXTH GRADE READING LIST
McKay, Hilary The Exiles
Sleator, William House of Stairs
McKinley, Robin The Blue Sword
Snyder, Zilpha Keatley The Egypt Game
The Hero and the Crown Montgomery, L. M. Anne of Green Gables Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds The Grooming of Alice
The Agony of Alice O’Brien, Robert C. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH O’Dell, Scott Sarah Bishop
The Black Pearl Paulsen, Gary The Car
Mr. Tucket
The Trespassers The Velvet Room Speare, Elizabeth George The Witch of Blackbird Pond
The Bronze Bow Spinelli, Jerry Stargirl
Wringer Tolkien, J. R. R. The Hobbit Wardlaw, Lee Seventh-Grade Wierdo Yep, Laurence Child of the Owl
The Haymeadow
Dragons Gate
Tracker
Ribbons
Peck, Robert Newton Soup on Ice Peterson, Katherine Bridge to Terabithia
The Star Fisher Zindel, Paul The Doomstone
The Pigman and Me The Pigman’s Legacy
Roberts, Willo Davis Megan’s Island
Twisted Summer
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THE DOMINO EFFECT Read the passage. Have you ever set up dominoes so that if you knocked the first one down, it would hit a second one, which would hit the next one? Domino toppling is one of the simplest and most effective visible examples of cause and effect. Physicists use the reactions of simple dominoes to demonstrate abstract principles and complex processes in nature. International domino art teams have a different goal when they topple the rectangular game pieces. They attempt to set world records. Television networks around the world have broadcast Domino Day to millions of viewers. The official record for the most dominoes toppled has been passed back and forth between Europe and Asia since 1986. In December 2000, 62 Chinese, Japanese, and South Korean students got together in Beijing, China, to break the European record. It took one month of meticulous effort to arrange more than 3.4 million colorful dominoes on the floor of an indoor recreation center. On December 31, the first domino was tipped, setting off the anticipated chain reaction. As the other dominoes toppled, they formed pictures of animals, musical instruments, food, and famous people. There were even copies of paintings by Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso. When it was over, the world record belonged to Asia. In 2001, the Europeans created an even larger, more ingenious setup in Holland. It included a domino roller coaster and a Wild West display with “shooting” cowboys. They recaptured the record with 3.5 million downed dominoes. In the fall of 2002, 89 domino “builders” congregated in Leeuwarden, Holland, to break the record again. They came from Germany, France, and Sweden. It took the team eight weeks to set up nearly 4 million colorful dominoes in elaborate patterns and displays. On Domino Day, November 15, the first domino was knocked down. The reaction lasted for more than an hour and a half. When it was over, more than 3.8 million dominoes had fallen. Yet another record was set.
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THE DOMINO EFFECT Use the passage on page 6 to answer the questions. 1.
Who set the world record for domino toppling in the year 2000? ________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
2.
Where did the 2002 Domino Day take place? __________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
3.
Who set up the dominoes that broke the world record in 2002? _________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
4.
How long did it take to set up the dominoes in 2002? ___________________________
5.
How long did it take for the dominoes to finish falling in 2002? ___________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
6.
Who are the two major rivals for the domino toppling world record? ______________________________________________________________________________
7.
How many dominoes fell in the 2002 record? __________________________________
8.
What physical science property do falling dominoes show? ____________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
9.
What challenges might a team face as they set up dominoes? ________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Write the word from the passage that best fits each definition. 10.
foreseen or expected ________________________________________________________
11.
assembled or gathered together _____________________________________________
12.
intelligent, clever ____________________________________________________________
13.
to fall or push over ___________________________________________________________
14.
careful in dealing with small details ___________________________________________
© Rainbow Bridge Publishing
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IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE Read the passage. The average person blinks about 12 times each minute during the waking hours of every day. If the average person gets 8 hours of sleep each night, then the person is awake for 16 hours each day. These statistics translate into approximately 11,520 blinks each day of our lives. The lids of our eyes move up and down much like the windshield wipers on a car move from side to side. The eyelids are made up of folds of skin that are raised and lowered by muscles. However, they move very quickly so that our vision is not impaired. This is all done automatically. Why do we blink, and why is blinking so important? One of the reasons has to do with our eyelashes. Eyelashes prevent dust from getting into our eyes. Most of the eye is enclosed in a bony socket that is covered with a layer of fat to form a protective cover. But, when the eyes are open, a part of the surface area is exposed. The eyelashes help keep dust and other foreign particles from entering the eye. Our eyes are also being cleansed and lubricated during the process of blinking. Every time an eyelid blinks, a mixture of oil, tears, and mucus—called a tear film— washes across the surface of the eye. This mixture moistens the eye and rinses away particles of dust and other matter that could cause irritation. The oily component of the tear film is produced by the many sebaceous glands that line the edge of each eyelid. This oil keeps the tears from evaporating too quickly. Each eye also has a tear gland, which produces the tears that keep the eye comfortable and hydrated. If we do not blink often enough or if not enough tears are produced, our eyes feel dry and scratchy. There are also psychological reasons why we blink so much. During times of stress and nervousness, we blink more than when we are calm. When we are concentrating on a specific task, our eyes usually blink less often.
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IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE Use the passage on page 8 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
3.
4.
What does tear film mean in the passage? A.
an oily substance that prevents tears from evaporating too quickly
B.
an extremely sad movie that causes many audience members to cry
C.
a mixture of oil, tears, and mucus that cleans and hydrates the eyes
D.
tiny particles of dust that irritate the eyes and cause them to produce tears
Which of these sentences is false? A.
Blinking is done involuntarily.
B.
The more times an eye blinks, the drier it becomes.
C.
Our eyelids blink about 12 times each minute when we are awake.
D.
Blinking helps prevent the eye from drying out.
Which of the following most closely resembles the blinking eye? A.
an electric clock
B.
the windshield wipers on a car
C.
a floating canister
D.
an automatic washing machine
In addition to lubricating our eyes, what is another benefit of blinking? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
5.
What is the main idea of paragraph 4? ________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
6.
Read each sentence. Write T if the sentence is true. Write F if it is false. _________ Our eyes are cleansed during the process of blinking. _________ The oil in tears keeps the tear from evaporating too quickly. _________ During times of stress and nervousness, we blink less often. _________ Eyelashes help keep dust from entering the eye. _________ Our vision is not impaired because blinking happens very quickly.
© Rainbow Bridge Publishing
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THE BIGGEST ROCK Read the passage. The world’s largest rough gem-quality diamond was discovered in 1905 in South Africa. The diamond was named the Cullinan after Sir Thomas Cullinan, the owner of the diamond mine. A mine superintendent named Frederick Wells found the diamond as he was walking through the mine. When Wells noticed the large mass set in one side of the mine’s wall, he thought that it was a piece of glass put there by a practical joker. When he examined it further, he realized that it was a huge diamond weighing 3,106 carats. Wells received a $10,000 bonus for his find. The diamond was purchased for $800,000 as a gift for King Edward VII. The stone was sent to Amsterdam, where the Asscher brothers cut it. The jewelers had a reputation for successfully cutting large diamonds. They studied the diamond for months. On the first attempt to cut the diamond, Mr. Asscher broke the blade. The diamond remained intact. On the second attempt, it split exactly as planned. After the second cut, Mr. Asscher reportedly fainted. Further cuts produced three main parts. These were then cut into nine major gems. There were 96 smaller brilliants and 9.5 carats of unpolished pieces. The Cullinan I was the largest gem cut from the rough stone. It is a pear-shaped stone of 530.2 carats. Nicknamed the Great Star of Africa the Cullinan I was the largest cut diamond in the world for many years. A larger diamond was discovered in 1985. The Cullinan I is now the world’s second-largest cut diamond. Bringing the original diamond to England in 1905 caused some concern. Officials were worried that someone would try to steal the diamond. As a diversion, a fake diamond was placed on a boat. Detectives from London were sent to guard the fake diamond on its voyage to England. Rumors about the diamond’s location were started to mislead potential thieves. Meanwhile, the real Cullinan I diamond was shipped in a plain box to England. The nine largest stones either are part of the British crown jewels or remain in the possession of the British royal family. The Cullinan I is now in the head of the royal scepter in the British crown jewels. The Cullinan II, or the Lesser Star of Africa, is the third-largest cut diamond in the world. It is set into the Imperial State Crown. Both are on display in the Tower of London.
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THE BIGGEST ROCK Use the passage on page 10 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Which of the following units is used to measure the weight of diamonds? A.
ounces
B.
pounds
C.
grams
D.
carats
Which sentence best explains why Mr. Asscher might have fainted? A.
He was tired from working a very long day.
B.
He was suffering from an undetected illness.
C.
He was relieved of the pressure of the task he had performed.
D.
He did not want to cut any more diamonds, so he faked an illness.
Which of the following events happened second? A.
Frederick Wells was given a bonus of $10,000.
B.
Sir Thomas Cullinan sold the diamond for $800,000.
C.
The largest diamond is now a part of the British crown jewels.
D.
Frederick Wells, a mine superintendent, found a huge diamond.
What does intact mean in the passage? A.
without regard
B.
not cared for
C.
whole
D.
unavailable
How is the title of this passage appropriate for the content that is presented? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Find a word in the passage that is an antonym for each word provided. 6.
minor ________________________________________________________________________
7.
small ________________________________________________________________________
8.
shiny ________________________________________________________________________
9.
genuine _____________________________________________________________________
10.
ornate _______________________________________________________________________
© Rainbow Bridge Publishing
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MIRACLE METS Read the passage. The expansion New York Mets baseball franchise first took the field in 1962. As often happens with expansion teams, fans did not expect too much during the first few years. A new franchise usually starts at the bottom of the standings. Draft choices are made. Key players need to be acquired until the right combination is in place. The Mets fell into the role perfectly, but they stayed there too long. They were so inept that fans called them “lovable losers.” However, their fans continued to come to the stadium because the Mets were fun to watch. Through their first seven seasons, the Mets never finished higher than ninth place. During spring training in 1969, catcher Jerry Grote told his teammates that the Mets would win the World Series. His teammates told him that he was crazy. Surprisingly, Grote’s prediction came true. The Mets put together a winning streak at the end of the season to win the Eastern Division title. They then defeated the Atlanta Braves to win the National League pennant. In the World Series, they faced the Baltimore Orioles. The Mets lost the first game in Baltimore. But, they won the second game and returned to New York tied with the Orioles at one game apiece. The “Miracle Mets” then won the next three games to win the World Series, four games to one. The Mets shocked the sporting world with one of the most incredible seasons ever.
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MIRACLE METS Use the passage on page 12 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Which of these sentences is false? A.
The Mets won the World Series in their first year of baseball.
B.
Fans loved the Mets even when they lost.
C.
The Mets won the Eastern Division title in 1969.
D.
The Mets defeated the Baltimore Orioles in the 1969 World Series.
Identify the setting for this passage. A.
New York, New York
B.
Los Angeles, California
C.
Atlanta, Georgia
D.
Baltimore, Maryland
What does franchise mean in the passage? A.
right of membership in a professional sports league
B.
agreement between league officials
C.
official team logo
D.
team payroll for the players and managers
Which of the following events happened first? A.
The Mets defeated the Baltimore Orioles four games to one.
B.
The Mets swept three games from the Atlanta Braves.
C.
The Mets won the Eastern Division title.
D.
The Mets were crowned World Champions of Baseball.
Why do you think the Mets were so popular, even though they were losers for so many years? _________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Circle the two words that are synonyms in each row. 6.
shocked
bored
surprised
7.
obtained
acquired
lost
8.
title
championship
defeat
© Rainbow Bridge Publishing
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J. R. R. TOLKIEN Read the passage. John Ronald Reuel (J. R. R.) Tolkien was born in South Africa on January 3, 1892, to British parents. After the death of his father in 1896, his mother moved Tolkien and his younger brother Hilary to England. They settled in Birmingham, not far from Wales. As Tolkien was learning to read, he was intrigued by how different the Welsh names were that he saw on coal trucks coming from and going back to Wales—names like “Penrhiwceiber,” “Senghenydd,” and “Nantyglo.” Young Tolkien was falling in love with language. When Tolkien was 12 years old, his mother died of diabetes. The local parish priest looked after the two brothers. He recognized their intelligence and made sure that they received the best education possible. In particular, Tolkien had a special aptitude for language. He learned Latin, Greek, Gothic, and Finnish. He invented his own languages for fun. He also started writing stories. He met other boys who were interested in literature and writing. They met after school for snacks and to share their writing. They called their club the Tea Club, Barrovian Society, or T. C. B. S., since they always met for tea (a traditional English afternoon snack) at the Barrow Stores. The close friendships continued as the boys became men. When World War I began, each of them enlisted in the army. Tolkien was a second lieutenant and went to the front lines in the trenches. After four months, Tolkien became very ill with an infection called trench fever. He was transferred back to England, where he spent the rest of the war. War had been portrayed as noble, but Tolkien found the reality of war to be ugly. All of the members of the T. C. B. S. were killed in the war except Tolkien and one other friend. This caused Tolkien to reflect deeply on the ideas of good and evil. Eventually, Tolkien became a professor at Oxford University. One night as he was grading papers, he absentmindedly wrote on a blank sheet of paper, “In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit.” He had no idea what a hobbit was, but he decided to find out. He continued writing the story. Out of these imaginings came The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. In these books, Tolkien created a world filled with elves, wizards, mythical creatures, and people. This world, called Middle Earth, was the site for epic battles between the forces of good and evil. Tolkien continued to write until his death in 1973. Since their publication in the 1950s, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books have sold more than 100 million copies and have been translated into more than 25 languages.
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J. R. R. TOLKIEN Use the passage on page 14 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
Which sentence best describes how Tolkien felt when he returned from World War I? A.
He was eager to return to the front lines.
B.
He was upset about the evils of war.
C.
He was lazy and cruel.
D.
He did not think about the war.
Read each sentence. Write F if the sentence states a fact. Write O if it states an opinion. _________ Tolkien’s books have been translated into more than 25 languages. _________ Everyone should learn at least three languages. _________ Tolkien was a very creative person. _________ Hobbits are imaginary creatures.
3.
Sequence the sentences in chronological order. _________ Tolkien fought in World War I. _________ Tolkien’s father died. _________ Tolkien created hobbits in stories. _________ The Tolkien family moved to England.
4.
In one sentence, summarize the information in paragraph 4. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Write the word from the passage that best fits each definition. 5.
having one’s curiosity aroused ________________________________________________
6.
described or represented ____________________________________________________
7.
a natural talent or inclination _________________________________________________
8.
without thinking ______________________________________________________________
9.
signed up, joined ____________________________________________________________
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BOOK REVIEW: THE HOBBIT Read the book review.
The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien, is a great book. I read it last weekend when it was raining, and I could not put it down. The story opens in the Shire, where Bilbo Baggins lives in Bag-End, his comfortable hobbit hole. Hobbit holes are homes dug into the ground with round doors and round windows. Hobbits are about three feet tall, and they have pointy ears and wear bright clothes. They can walk without making noise and see well in the dark. One day, 13 dwarfs and a wizard named Gandalf the Gray visit Bilbo. They want Bilbo to accompany them on an adventure. The dwarfs’ treasure had been stolen by a dragon named Smaug. Smaug hid the treasure deep inside Lonely Mountain, and the dwarfs want Bilbo to sneak into the dragon’s lair and take back their treasure. At first, Bilbo is not sure that he wants to go, but eventually he decides to join the group. He, Gandalf, and the dwarfs set out on their journey. At one point, they are almost eaten by trolls, but Gandalf saves them. Then, they visit the elves at Rivendale. The king of the elves studies a map that the travelers have, and he explains what some symbols, called runes, mean. Gandalf saves the travelers again when they are captured by goblins. As they escape, Bilbo becomes separated from the dwarfs and Gandalf, and is lost in a cave. As he gropes in a dark tunnel and tries to find his way out, he finds a magic ring. The ring makes whoever is wearing it invisible. He also meets a creature called Gollum. Gollum does not know that Bilbo has found the magic ring, and he challenges Bilbo to a riddle contest. Bilbo wins the contest, and Gollum begins to chase him. Eventually, Bilbo puts on the ring and follows Gollum through the tunnels and out of the cave. The story really gets good when they finally get to Lonely Mountain and find a way into Smaug’s lair. Bilbo uses the ring to become invisible, and he creeps past the dragon and takes a golden chalice. Bilbo makes it safely back to the dwarfs, but when Smaug wakes up and realizes that a piece of the treasure is missing, he roars so loudly that the mountain shakes! The group must escape from Smaug and survive a battle before Bilbo can finally go home, and I was not sure that he was going to make it. This book is really exciting! It has everything from snarling, ugly monsters to awesome giant eagles, and you are never sure what will happen next. I definitely recommend The Hobbit. If you like adventure, a great story, and good characters, then this is the book for you.
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BOOK REVIEW: THE HOBBIT Use the book review on page 16 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
Which statement best explains why the author wrote this book review? A.
to describe a hobbit
B.
to make people write fantasy fiction
C.
to encourage people to read The Hobbit
D.
to inform readers about J. R. R. Tolkien’s life
Write H before sentences that describe hobbits, HB before sentences that describe human beings, and HH before sentences that describe both. _________ They can see well in the dark. _________ They live in your neighborhood. _________ They have pointy ears. _________ They like to live in comfortable homes.
3.
Sequence the sentences in chronological order. _________ Bilbo finds a magic ring. _________ Gandalf saves the travelers from trolls. _________ Smaug realizes that a piece of the treasure is missing. _________ Gandalf visits Bilbo in the Shire. _________ Bilbo sneaks into the dragon’s lair and takes a golden cup. _________ The adventurers are captured by goblins.
4.
Complete each sentence with a word or phrase from the book review. A.
Bilbo Baggins lives in an area called the _________________________________ .
B.
The name of his hobbit hole is ___________________________________________ .
C.
During an adventure with Gandalf, Bilbo finds a magic ___________________ .
D.
The ring makes whoever is wearing it ____________________________________ .
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THE GREAT SALT LAKE Read the passage. If you have ever played in a stream, you know that you can create a lake by obstructing the stream’s flow of water with dirt or rocks. Many natural lakes form the same way. Water can flow into a lake from one large source or from many small sources. Many mountain lakes are filled by tiny streams that trickle down from melting snow. Most natural lakes have outlets, or low places where water can leave the lake. Some of the world’s greatest rivers have their origins in such outlets. An outlet from Lake Victoria in Africa is the source of the Nile, the famous river that flows through Egypt. When streams bring water into a lake and an outlet allows water to escape, the lake stays fresh. Extra minerals and salts dissolved in the water do not remain in the lake. They are carried through the outlet and travel down to the ocean. Because of this, these bodies of water are called freshwater lakes. When river waters are blocked by natural rock or earth formations in the desert, they spread out to form a lake, just as they do in the mountains. However, because there is less rain in the desert, the waters of the lake do not rise high enough to find an outlet. Instead of flowing out of the lake, the water evaporates. It leaves dissolved minerals and salts behind. These minerals make desert lakes salty. The Great Salt Lake in Utah is an example of this type of desert lake. About 30,000 years ago, when there was much more rainfall in Utah, Nevada, and Idaho, the Great Salt Lake was 10 times its current size. Geologists can tell from ancient shorelines and other evidence that the lake had an outlet. Its waters were fresh, not salty. Geologists have named that ancient body of water Lake Bonneville. Because the Great Salt Lake contains dissolved minerals from Lake Bonneville as well as minerals added by modern rivers and streams, it is too salty for most fish. Only minuscule brine shrimp, salt flies, bacteria, and algae live in the water. Many birds, including pelicans, herons, gulls, and terns, live in marshes along the shore. The salinity, or saltiness, of the Great Salt Lake varies in different years and in different parts of the lake. When there is a high level of precipitation, the water is less salty. When there is a drought, the water is saltier. The salinity of the lake varies between 9 percent and 28 percent. It is always many times saltier than ocean water, which has a salinity level of 3 percent. There are 10 islands in the Great Salt Lake. The largest is Antelope Island. Buffalo, antelope, and other animals live on the island. John C. Fremont and Kit Carson hunted there in 1845. The state of Utah now owns an old ranch on Antelope Island.
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THE GREAT SALT LAKE Use the passage on page 18 to answer the questions. 1.
Where is the Great Salt Lake located? _________________________________________
2.
Is the water in the Great Salt Lake saltier than ocean water? Why or why not? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
3.
4.
How big was the Great Salt Lake 30,000 years ago? A.
10 times its current size
B.
5 times its current size
C.
¼ its current size
D.
½ its current size
A compound word is two words that are joined together to create a new word. Write three compound words from the passage. ________________________
________________________
________________________
Write the word from the passage that best fits each definition. 5.
to flow slowly ________________________________________________________________
6.
tiny, very small _______________________________________________________________
7.
blocking, preventing _________________________________________________________
8.
openings through which water can escape____________________________________
9.
saltiness ______________________________________________________________________
Synonyms are words with the same or about the same meaning. Match each word from the passage with its synonym. 10.
_________ old
A.
modern
11.
_________ possesses
B.
owns
12.
_________ contemporary
C.
create
13.
_________ form
D.
ancient
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ODIN AND THE TWO BROTHERS Read the story. Long ago, an old fisherman and his wife lived on a bleak island. The fisherman called himself Grimner, but he was actually Odin, the father of the gods, in disguise. He and his wife Frigga crossed the rainbow bridge from Asgard, the city of the gods, to the world of men and women. They came to search for brave people who could help save the world from malicious giants. One day, the sons of King Hrauding went fishing on the ocean in a small dinghy. A sudden squall drove the boat to the island and smashed it on the rocks. Odin saved the boys, named Agnar and Geirrod, and took them to his hut. “We will see which boy can become the noblest hero,” whispered Odin to Frigga. Frigga favored Agnar, the elder brother, who was kind and observant. Odin favored Geirrod, who was brash and boisterous. Through the winter, Odin taught the boys how to hunt bears and catch fish. He challenged their bravery by asking them to climb rocky cliffs and jump deep chasms. Each boy performed well, but Geirrod always pushed himself to outshine Agnar. Sometimes, while Frigga spun her wool, Agnar stayed by her side. She told him stories about the struggle between the gods of Asgard and the giants of Jötunheim. His wisdom grew as Frigga answered his questions, and Frigga learned of Agnar’s determination to fight the evil giants. In the spring, Odin helped the brothers build a new boat. “Someday, I will visit you,” he said. “Remember that even a king should show hospitality to a poor fisherman.” Agnar rowed most of the way home. Then, Geirrod told Agnar to rest while he rowed the rest of the way. When Agnar was asleep and land was in sight, Geirrod turned the boat around and threw the oars overboard. “Agnar will never become king,” Geirrod whispered as he dove into the sea. As the boat drifted into the ocean, Geirrod swam to shore. Odin and Frigga returned to Asgard, and several years passed. Odin had two ravens, Hugin and Munin. Each day, the ravens flew through the worlds and returned to tell Odin what they had seen and heard. One day, they landed on Odin’s shoulders and told him forebodings of evil. Odin crossed the rainbow bridge to Yggdrasil, the tree of life, to learn if these forebodings were true. At the base of the tree was the Well of Fate. Three sisters sat beside the well. Urda, the oldest sister, was the goddess of the past. Verdandi, the middle sister, was the goddess of the present. Skulda, the youngest sister, was the goddess of the future. Skulda kept her face hidden by pulling her hair over it. Odin saw through Skulda’s hair and read in her eyes her sorrow for the future.
to be continued . . .
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ODIN AND THE TWO BROTHERS Use the story on page 20 to answer the questions. 1.
Write three things that Odin and Frigga did to train the boys to be heroes. A.
_________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________
B.
_________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________
C.
_________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________
2.
3.
4.
Which word best describes Agnar in this story? A.
sad
B.
observant
C.
competitive
D.
loud
Which word that best describes Geirrod in this story? A.
quick
B.
compassionate
C.
competitive
D.
quiet
What do you think will happen next? __________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Write the word from the story that best fits each definition. 5.
noisy and unrestrained _______________________________________________________
6.
barren, gloomy ______________________________________________________________
7.
deep cracks in the earth _____________________________________________________
8
a small rowboat _____________________________________________________________
9.
alert, quick to perceive ______________________________________________________
10.
hasty, unthinking _____________________________________________________________
11.
a sudden, violent gust of wind ________________________________________________
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ODIN AND THE TWO BROTHERS (CONTINUED) Read the story. When Frigga saw Odin’s eyes, she knew that his apprehensions were true. “I must go to the Well of Wisdom,” said Odin. “There is much work to be done, and I will need wisdom to help goodness prevail.” Wearing a dark blue cloak and hat and carrying a traveler’s staff, he became Vegtam the Wanderer. He traveled through Midgard to the border of Jötunheim, the land of the evil giants. There, he came to the Well of Wisdom. “Hello, Odin,” said Mimir, the overseer of the well. Mimir drank daily from the well and was not fooled by Odin’s disguise. “I need to drink from the Well of Wisdom,” said Odin. “Many come to drink from the well,” said Mimir, “but no one is willing to pay my price. Will you pay my price, Odin? Will you give me your right eye?” Without hesitation, Odin replied, “I will. I need wisdom to help humankind.” Mimir dipped a chalice into the water, and Odin drank from it. Immediately, he was filled with understanding and wisdom. Then, Odin plucked out his right eye and handed it to Mimir, who dropped it into the well. It remained there as a sign of the price that the king of the gods had paid for his wisdom. Odin, disguised as Vegtam the Wanderer, walked to the land of King Hrauding. King Hrauding was the father of Geirrod and Agnar, the brothers that Odin had trained to become heroes. As Odin approached the king’s house, a group of men on horseback rode by furiously and almost knocked him to the ground. They stopped in front of the stable and shouted for the servants to come and take their horses. Only one man came out of the stable, and he took the leader’s horse. The other men called for the Wanderer to take their horses. Laughing gruffly, they strode into the king’s house. “Is this King Hrauding’s house? Who are these uncouth men?” Odin asked the servant, although he already knew the answer. “King Hrauding has died,” said the servant. “His son Geirrod is now the king.” “Where is Agnar, the oldest son?” “He was lost,” said the servant meekly. The servant’s disguise did not fool Odin. Geirrod did not know that the servant was actually Agnar in disguise, but Odin knew. After they cared for the horses, Agnar gave bread to the stranger and invited him to stay for the night. Odin thanked Agnar but said that he would rely on the hospitality of the king. Agnar warned the Wanderer of Geirrod’s cruelty, but Odin thanked Agnar again and left for the main house.
to be continued . . .
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ODIN AND THE TWO BROTHERS (CONTINUED) Use the story on page 22 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
Circle the letter in front of the word that best describes Odin in this story. A.
brave
B.
foolish
C.
concerned
D.
selfish
Read each sentence. Write T if the sentence is true. Write F if it is false. _________ Odin refused to pay Mimir’s price for wisdom. _________ Geirrod did not know that the servant was Agnar. _________ Odin wanted to be wise so that he could help humankind. _________ Mimir was the overseer of the Well of Wisdom.
3.
Which sentence best states the main idea of this story? A.
There is no such thing as magic.
B.
Knowledge and wisdom are extremely valuable.
C.
Birds make good pets.
D.
Rainbows are bridges between other worlds and earth.
Write the word from the story that best fits each definition. 4.
rude, uncultivated ___________________________________________________________
5.
a supervisor or director _______________________________________________________
6.
anxieties about the future _____________________________________________________
7.
slowness to act or decide ____________________________________________________
8.
to be victorious ______________________________________________________________
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ODIN AND THE TWO BROTHERS (CONTINUED) Read the story. Odin knocked on the door and asked the porter for food and rest in the king’s hall. The porter blocked the Wanderer’s way, but one of the men shouted, “Let him in, and we will have our fun!” When Odin stood before Geirrod and his men, he knew that Geirrod had become a selfish despot and a leader of thieves. “Sing to us while we eat,” said Geirrod. “If we like your song, we will give you some leftover food.” The Wanderer stood between two pillars and sang about an ambitious prince who had forsaken all good, become evil, and gathered followers who were criminals. As Odin sang, Geirrod realized that the Wanderer was condemning him with the song. “Seize him!” Geirrod ordered. The men bound Odin to the pillars with chains. King Geirrod ordered his servants to give no food or drink to the Wanderer. However, after Geirrod and his men left the next day to find people to rob and houses to plunder, Agnar brought food and drink to Odin. For the next eight nights, Geirrod and his men ate like wolves and taunted the Wanderer. Each day, Agnar brought food and water to the prisoner. Odin could have broken the chains at any time, but he did not. He waited to see if the men would show remorse for their cruelty. On the ninth night, Odin sang of how the gods had prepared Geirrod to become a hero. Instead, he had become like a wild beast. The vengeance of the gods, he sang, was about to fall on the evil king! “Come closer, Geirrod,” said Odin, “and see Grimner the fisherman who gave you hospitality and who trained you to be good, strong, and brave. Come closer and see that Grimner was actually Odin, who will now punish your evil deeds!” The chains fell from Odin, and Geirrod backed away fearfully. As Geirrod and his men huddled in a corner, Odin changed them into a pack of wolves. Then, Odin banished the wolves from the kingdom, yelling, “Run! Go deep into the forest and never return!” The servants and other subjects of King Geirrod crowded into the king’s hall, cheering because they were free from King Geirrod and his henchmen. Odin handed the king’s sword to the stable servant, saying, “Behold your new king, King Agnar, rightful heir to the throne! He is kind and wise. You will see that he is stronger and more fair than Geirrod, and he will lead you toward peace and prosperity.” And, it was so.
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ODIN AND THE TWO BROTHERS (CONTINUED) Use the story on page 24 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
Which word best describes the mood of this story? A.
tense
B.
humorous
C.
pleasant
D.
amusing
Write two facts that indicate that King Geirrod is a criminal. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
3.
Odin changes Geirrod and his followers into wolves and banishes them from Agnar’s land. Do you think that this punishment is fair? Why or why not? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Write the word from the story that best fits each definition. 4.
gave up, renounced _________________________________________________________
5.
regret or shame ______________________________________________________________
6.
sent away forever ____________________________________________________________
7.
tyrant ________________________________________________________________________
8.
having a strong desire to achieve _____________________________________________
9.
successor by birthright ________________________________________________________
A possessive is a word that shows ownership. The singular possessive is usually formed by adding ’s to a word. Rewrite each phrase as a possessive. 10.
remorse of the men __________________________________________________________
11.
disguise of the servant ________________________________________________________
12.
hospitality of the king _________________________________________________________
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REFLECTIONS ON PINEWOOD LAKE Read the journal entries. Journal: June 12, 2007 I have waited all year for summer to get here. Camp is incredibly fun! The towering trees in the woods of North Carolina are like majestic spires on a cathedral. And the lake, nestled at the base of the mountains, is cool and tranquil. There are many places here where I can get away and read for awhile. Last summer, I found a spot that no one knows about, not even my best friend Alana, who has come back this summer. I read Bridge to Terabithia in my secluded spot. I loved the book, even though it was a little sad. Journal: June 13, 2007 Today, Julie, Ted, and I went canoeing on the lake. The lake becomes more beautiful every year. One part of the lake stretches quite a distance into a narrow cove, which has trees and vines that hang out over the water. We took our time and listened carefully as we quietly paddled up the cove. Julie and Ted are fun to travel with because they enjoy the outdoors as much as I do. And, we all believe in protecting and maintaining the environment. I saw a duck with five ducklings. I would love to be a bird for one day so that I could experience the freedom of flight. Then, I saw two beavers sawing a log. Maybe they were preparing a home for winter or simply repairing an existing home. I also heard some turkeys. I know they were turkeys because I recognize their call from having heard and seen them last summer. Journal: June 15, 2007 I forgot to write in my journal yesterday. When Lisa, my camp counselor, first assigned journal writing, I was a bit aggravated. Now, I am used to it. I am making a lot of discoveries about the camp and myself, and writing about them helps to clarify my thoughts and make sense of my experiences. For example, I am a little worried about Julie. Her mother called today and told her that her brother had been taken to the hospital. Julie would not tell me all of the details, but she did say that her mother promised everything would be OK. I hope her mother is right. I do not know if Julie is embarrassed about why her brother had to go to the hospital, but I wish she felt comfortable sharing her problems with me. There is really nothing she could ever say that would change my opinion about her. She will always be one of my closest friends.
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REFLECTIONS ON PINEWOOD LAKE Use the journal entries on page 26 to answer the questions. 1.
Pinewood Lake is located in _________________________________________________ .
2.
Who is the author’s best friend? _______________________________________________
3.
The author has just completed what grade?
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
A.
fifth
B.
does not say
C.
seventh
D.
eighth
With whom did the author go canoeing? A.
Lisa and Ted
B.
Julie and Ted
C.
Ted and Alana
D.
Alana and Julie
Which word is a synonym for maintaining? A.
sustaining
B.
recovering
C.
cleaning
D.
menacing
What is the mood of the first journal entry? A.
angry
B.
sad
C.
remorseful
D.
serene
What is the simile in paragraph 1? A.
I have waited all year for summer to get here.
B.
The towering trees in the woods of North Carolina are like majestic spires on a cathedral.
C.
And the lake, nestled at the base of the mountains, is cool and tranquil.
D.
Camp is incredibly fun!
Sequence the words in alphabetical order. _________ canoe _________ camp _________ Carolina _________ call _________ carefully
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THE SKY by Anonymous Read the poem. 1
Bright, dazzling sunlight fills the sky,
2
glimmering upon the water.
3
Colors of gold, red, and majestic purple clothe the clouds
4
like a garment of shimmering silk.
5
The sky darkens,
6
and a gentle hush falls over the land.
7
The world full of awe, silently watches
8
as the sun goes softly to sleep
9
in the open, loving arms
10
of the sea.
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THE SKY Use the poem on page 28 to answer the questions. 1.
In line 8, what figure of speech is used when the sun “goes softly to sleep”? A.
simile
B.
personification
C.
rhyme
D.
pun
2.
What is the root word of glimmering? __________________________________________
3.
Which word in the poem matches the definition “an article of clothing”?
4.
A.
softly
B.
silk
C.
garment
D.
hush
What does awe mean in the poem? __________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
5.
What word in the poem rhymes with glimmering and means “glowing”? ______________________________________________________________________________
6.
Write a synonym for majestic. Use a dictionary if you need help. ________________
7.
Write a word that sounds like sea but is spelled differently. _____________________
8.
Personification is a writing technique in which something nonhuman is given human characteristics. Write a short poem or paragraph using personification. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
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ODIN AND THE MAGIC MEAD Read the story. Odin was concerned about the threat of evil in the world. He used his powers to help men and women grow into heroes and heroines who would fight for good. Heroes and heroines need strength, courage, and skill. He knew that true heroes and heroines also need wisdom, integrity, and compassion. Odin and the other gods created Kvasir, a man of unsurpassed knowledge and wisdom. Kvasir was a poet whose words made people wiser. Kvasir traveled throughout Midgard, the world of men and women, reciting profound poetry and spreading wisdom. One day, Odin’s ravens, Hugin and Munin, returned from flying through the worlds and reported that Kvasir was missing. Odin was worried, and he left his home in Asgard and crossed the rainbow bridge to the Well of Wisdom. “I sense that evil is trying to stop humankind from gaining wisdom,” Odin said to Mimir. “Indeed,” replied Mimir. “Gaze into the well, and you will see what happened to your poet and messenger of wisdom.” Small ripples spread across the water. Then, the water became as clear as glass. Odin saw Kvasir speaking to a group of trolls. When they learned Kvasir’s identity, they decided to have a banquet in his honor. Kvasir and the trolls traveled deep into the mountain to the trolls’ home. The band of trolls prepared an elaborate meal and asked Kvasir to recite his poetry and teach them wisdom. The trolls had never heard such poetry or been so excited by the ideas of goodness and kindness. However, Fialar and Galar, the band’s leaders, were distraught. They had not been with the band when Kvasir was invited into the mountain. They feared that Kvasir’s words would turn their band away from mischief. That night, Fialar and Galar slew Kvasir and captured the wisdom and poetry that ran through his veins. They used the wisdom to brew a magic mead of wisdom and poetry. Then, they sealed the mead into three pots. “Once we drink the magic mead,” said Fialar, “we can do anything we want and talk our way out of the consequences!” Galar laughed gleefully and shouted, “Why wait? Let’s start now!” The trolls and their band traveled about Jötunheim making mayhem and tormenting the giants. They grew bold and made up songs that boasted of their evil deeds. Suttung was a powerful, cunning giant, and he tracked down the trolls. One night while they were sleeping, he scooped them into a whale net and carried them to the sea. He placed them on a large rock that was being covered by the incoming tide.
to be continued . . .
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ODIN AND THE MAGIC MEAD Use the story on page 30 to answer the questions. 1.
Read each sentence. Write F if the sentence states a fact. Write O if it states an opinion. _________ Kvasir was the greatest poet. _________ The trolls’ meal was delicious. _________ Odin tried to help humankind. _________ Fialar and Galar killed Kvasir.
2.
3.
Which sentence best states the main idea of the story? A.
Wisdom is a valuable treasure.
B.
Wisdom should be kept a secret.
C.
Wisdom is not for everyone.
D.
Wisdom is not important.
Sequence the sentences in chronological order. _________ The trolls brew a magic mead of wisdom. _________ Odin and the gods create a poet of great wisdom. _________ Kvasir is invited to a banquet with the trolls. _________ Kvasir is slain.
Write the word from the story that best fits each definition. 4.
deep and meaningful ________________________________________________________
5.
high moral values ____________________________________________________________
6.
a formal meal _______________________________________________________________
7.
caring _______________________________________________________________________
8.
detailed or complicated _____________________________________________________
9.
not topped __________________________________________________________________
10.
extremely upset ______________________________________________________________
11.
chaos or disorder ____________________________________________________________
12.
the results of an action _______________________________________________________
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ODIN AND THE MAGIC MEAD (CONTINUED) Read the story. The terrified trolls wailed, “Save us! We will give you the magic mead!” Suttung took the trolls off the rock, but he kept them in the net until the magic mead was brought from their caverns. Then, Suttung released the trolls. “Now, humankind will not have wisdom, and the giants will win the war,” Suttung said to himself as he strode toward home. As Odin gazed into the Well of Wisdom, he saw the giant Suttung carrying the magic mead of wisdom and poetry to his home. Suttung put the three pots of mead in his treasure chamber inside a mountain. Since the mead was more valuable than any jewel, he put his beautiful daughter, Gunnlod, inside the chamber to guard it. Then, he built a rock wall across the entrance. To make Gunnlod a better guard, her father enchanted her, turning her into a frightening witch. She was so ugly that she never wanted to leave the chamber. Odin disguised himself as the Wanderer and started walking toward Suttung’s home. As he got close, he passed a wheat field belonging to Baugi, brother of Suttung. Nine men with scythes were struggling to cut the grain. “Let me sharpen your scythe for you,” said the Wanderer to one of the men. The Wanderer took a whetstone from his belt and with a few strokes quickly sharpened the blade. All of the men were amazed at the ease with which this scythe now cut the grain. “Sell us your whetstone,” they begged. “It must be magic!” “You may have it,” the Wanderer said, and he tossed the whetstone into the group. As the men began to argue over the whetstone, the Wanderer left for Baugi’s home. Baugi received the Wanderer with gracious hospitality, and soon they were eating a fine meal at a great table. Suddenly, a distraught maid burst into the room. “Master Baugi, it is a tragedy!” she exclaimed. “Your nine workers in the field got into an argument over a whetstone, and now there is no one left to harvest the wheat!” Baugi stood and began to pace. “What can I do? We cannot get through the winter unless my wheat is harvested, and I have no other workers!” “I will work for you,” said the Wanderer, “and I will do the work of nine men.” The next day, the Wanderer worked in Baugi’s field and did more work than nine men. That night at supper, Baugi begged the Wanderer to stay until the entire field was cut. Baugi promised the Wanderer any reward if he would stay.
to be continued . . .
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ODIN AND THE MAGIC MEAD (CONTINUED) Use the story on page 32 to answer the questions. 1.
Why did Suttung want the magic mead? ______________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
2.
3.
How did Suttung feel about his daughter? A.
He loved his daughter more than his treasure.
B.
He loved his treasure more than his daughter.
C.
He wanted her to be happy.
D.
He was proud of her.
Write T next to the sentences that describe only trolls. Write G next to the sentences that describe only giants. Write TG next to the sentences that describe both. _________ They wanted the power of the magic mead. _________ They were larger than human beings. _________ They were smaller than human beings. _________ They lived inside a mountain.
Write the word from the story that best fits each definition. 4.
a stone for sharpening blades ________________________________________________
5.
tools with a long, curved blade for cutting ____________________________________
6.
to gather crops ______________________________________________________________
7.
put under a spell _____________________________________________________________
8.
caves _______________________________________________________________________
A possessive is a word that shows ownership. The plural possessive is usually formed by adding s’ to a word. Write a sentence using the plural possessive of each word. 9.
giant ________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
10.
son __________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
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ODIN AND THE MAGIC MEAD (CONTINUED) Read the story. The Wanderer agreed to stay, and he completed all of the work of the harvest. Afterward, he went to Baugi to claim his reward. “All I want,” he said, “is a drink of your brother’s magic mead.” “I do not know if I can get that,” Baugi said. Then, he looked past the Wanderer to his barns full of wheat and said, “But, a bargain is a bargain. I will do what I can.” Baugi went to Suttung and told him about his bargain with the mysterious Wanderer. “Brother, you are a fool!” yelled Suttung. “What human could do the work of nine men? What if this Wanderer is a god? I enchanted my daughter and locked her in my treasure chamber to guard the mead so that no one could have it! If anyone drinks it, they will spread wisdom. Then, our power will diminish!” Baugi returned to his guest with the bad news and asked the Wanderer to choose a different reward. “That is the only payment I will take,” said the Wanderer. “I hold you to your bargain. If your brother will not give me the mead willingly, we must get it some other way. Take me to Suttung’s treasure chamber.” Baugi reluctantly agreed and led the Wanderer to the mountain cavern. A thick wall of stone blocked the entrance. Neither man could budge it. “I would help you if I could,” said Baugi, “but it is impossible.” The Wanderer took a long auger from his cloak and handed it to the giant. “You are a strong giant. Bore me a hole through this rock wall.” The giant worked the auger with all of his strength and bored a hole through the wall. Suddenly, the Wanderer turned into a snake and slithered into the hole. When Baugi saw this, he knew that he had been tricked by a god who wanted the magic mead. Inside the treasure chamber, Odin changed back to his normal form, which to Gunnlod looked like a handsome giant. “Don’t look at me!” she screeched, hiding her face behind her gnarled hands. Gently, Odin said, “Gunnlod, you were once beautiful, and you will be beautiful again. Trust me, and it will be so.” As Odin spoke, Gunnlod felt her fingers begin to soften. The red blood of youth returned to her cheeks as Odin reversed the enchantment. In the end, Gunnlod was more beautiful than before. Gunnlod willingly surrendered the magic mead to Odin and showed him a secret passage out of the mountain. Odin returned to Asgard with the magic mead, which he carefully dispensed to worthy men and women.
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ODIN AND THE MAGIC MEAD (CONTINUED) Use the story on page 34 to answer the questions. 1.
Write two ways that Odin showed his magic powers. ___________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
2.
Sequence the sentences in chronological order. _________ Odin asks Baugi for his reward. _________ Suttung refuses to give any magic mead to the Wanderer. _________ Odin earns a reward from Baugi. _________ Odin makes Gunnlod beautiful again. _________ Baugi drills a hole into Suttung’s treasure chamber. _________ Odin obtains the magic mead for humankind.
Write the word from the story that best fits each definition. 3.
twisted, misshapen ___________________________________________________________
4.
a tool for boring _____________________________________________________________
5.
turned back _________________________________________________________________
6.
distributed ___________________________________________________________________
7.
to make a hole ______________________________________________________________
8.
be made less ________________________________________________________________
Circle the two words in each row that are related to the word in bold type. 9.
chamber
book
vault
room
10.
cloak
cape
coat
timepiece
11.
reward
payment
punish
due
12.
screech
whisper
squeal
scream
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PENGUINS Read the passage. Penguins are interesting creatures. There are 17 different species of penguins. Each breed of penguin has its own special characteristics. However, all penguins have some characteristics in common. Adapted to aquatic life, penguins are set apart from their feathered, air-traveling cousins by several unique characteristics. Penguins have dense bones. Hollow bones enable most birds to fly. Dense bones help penguins travel through water. Penguins also have small, tightly packed outer feathers that are covered with a special body oil to make them waterproof. Beneath the outer feathers is a layer of down (soft, fluffy feathers) that helps keep the penguin warm. Under the skin is a thick layer of fat. If a penguin gets too hot, it will fluff its feathers, allowing body heat to escape. Some penguin varieties can hold their breath for nearly 20 minutes while searching for food in the southern oceans. Their mouths are filled with rough spines that help hold their diet of slippery fish, squid, and crustaceans. Their webbed feet act like small wings to assist propulsion on these excursions. Many penguins lay and hatch eggs in large groups called rookeries or colonies. The female lays one to two eggs, and both the female and male penguins share chick-raising duties. Adult penguins have a brood patch, or a featherless spot, on their underside. The brood patch allows the adult penguin to heat the incubating eggs or newly hatched chicks. Researchers believe that penguins may once have been birds of flight. Modern penguins evolved from seabirds called tubenoses. Tubenoses have nostrils located at the end of a tube on top of their beaks. Tubenoses include some of the greatest fliers in the world: albatrosses and petrels. The earliest penguins may have evolved from tubenoses about the time dinosaurs disappeared. The largest penguin fossil ever discovered was 5 feet 7 inches tall. The Anthropornis nordenskjoeldi weighed nearly 300 pounds. Today’s penguins are not nearly as large. The largest is the emperor penguin, which stands over 3 feet tall and weighs up to 90 pounds. The second largest is the king penguin, standing almost as tall as the emperor penguin but weighing only half as much. Today, all wild penguins live between the equator and the south pole. Their populations are counted in breeding pairs. Macaroni penguins account for nearly half of all penguins. They have about 11.8 million breeding pairs. Two species of Pacific Ocean penguins, the Galapagos and Humboldt penguins, are considered threatened. These species have between 5,000 and 8,500 breeding pairs. The yellow-eyed penguin in New Zealand is an endangered species with as few as 1,600 breeding pairs.
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PENGUINS Use the passage on page 36 to answer the questions. 1.
Where do penguins live? _____________________________________________________
2.
Are a penguin’s bones dense or hollow? Why? ________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
3.
What is a brood patch? What is it used for? ____________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
4.
How many species of penguins are there? A.
17
B.
36
C.
100
D.
600
5.
How tall is the largest penguin fossil? __________________________________________
6.
What is special about penguins’ feet? _________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
7.
What is the largest species of penguin alive today? ____________________________
8.
Write three things that penguins eat. __________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
9.
Penguins are threatened by natural predators such as sharks and seals. However, man-made changes to their habitat, such as oil spills and construction, also threaten their survival. On a separate sheet of paper, brainstorm some suggestions for protecting penguins. Then, choose one of your suggestions and explain why you think this suggestion would help protect penguins.
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ELEANOR ROOSEVELT Read the passage. Eleanor Roosevelt was a champion of human rights and a popular public speaker. She was also the most influential First Lady in the history of the United States. However, Eleanor Roosevelt was lonely and unhappy as a child. She viewed herself as homely and felt she disappointed her mother. Her father adored her, but he was often gone. Eleanor was orphaned by the age of 10. As a teenager, Eleanor attended a prestigious boarding school in England. There, Eleanor met a teacher who encouraged her. Eleanor’s self-confidence grew. Gradually, her fears began to fade. When Eleanor returned to the United States, she began her career as a human rights activist. In 1905, Eleanor married a handsome and intelligent young politician named Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Together, they raised five children. In 1921, Franklin contracted polio. Eleanor became his eyes and ears. She visited people all over the nation to learn about their problems. She reported what she learned to her husband. She also became active in political groups such as the women’s division of the State Democratic Committee of New York. Franklin became president in 1933, and Eleanor transformed the role of First Lady. Unlike her predecessors, Eleanor held press conferences. Some of these were open only to women reporters. She traveled, lectured, spoke on the radio, and wrote a daily newspaper column. People enjoyed hearing Eleanor’s opinions. She became popular as a writer and public speaker. Eleanor also worked to improve the lives of poor and disadvantaged people. She fought for women’s rights and better working conditions for children. At that time, many children worked long hours at hard physical labor. Eleanor argued for fair hours and better pay. She also supported the civil rights movement and fought segregation. Eleanor became an American delegate to the United Nations after the death of President Roosevelt. She became bold about the causes she supported. She put her fears behind her to leave a mark on America.
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ELEANOR ROOSEVELT Use the passage on page 38 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
What does predecessors mean in the passage? A.
the first people to ever do something
B.
people who perform their jobs well
C.
the people who previously had a job
D.
people who are currently in charge
How did Eleanor Roosevelt transform the role of First Lady? _____________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
3.
4.
Eleanor became the “eyes and ears” of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. What does this mean? A.
Eleanor bought the president glasses and a hearing aid.
B.
Eleanor watched and listened to people for the president.
C.
Eleanor wore glasses and listened well.
D.
Eleanor did the president’s job for him.
Sequence the sentences in chronological order. _________ Eleanor was an American delegate to the United Nations. _________ Eleanor attended boarding school in England. _________ Eleanor married Franklin Delano Roosevelt. _________ Eleanor became an orphan. _________ Eleanor transformed the role of First Lady.
Write the word from the passage that best fits each definition. 5.
changed ____________________________________________________________________
6.
able to cause change _______________________________________________________
7.
an ambassador or a representative ___________________________________________
8.
distinguished, respected ______________________________________________________
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MUSTANGS Read the passage. The image of horses running freely across the plains is a popular symbol of the American West. However, mustangs are not indigenous to the United States. Spanish armies came to the New World in the sixteenth century. They brought horses with them. Before the Spanish arrived, horses had been extinct in the Western hemisphere for about 12,000 years. The free horses that live in the western United States are called mustangs. The word comes from the Spanish word meaning “wild” or “stray.” The ancestors of mustangs were horses that escaped from the Spanish army. Native tribes also stole and released horses to hurt the Spanish army. There are even reports of some mustangs knocking down fences so that other horses could be free and join their herd. As time went on, these horses reproduced and were joined by other horses. Most of the mustangs that roam the plains today are of mixed ancestry. This is why mustangs are not restricted to just one size or color. The number of mustangs continued to grow. By the end of the nineteenth century, about two million mustangs roamed the countryside. Farmers and ranchers began to complain that the mustangs were destroying their crops and eating their livestock’s food. Private efforts to protect the horses began as early as 1925. However, the mustang population fell as farmers removed the horses from the plains and prairies of the West. By 1970, there were fewer than 17,000 mustangs left. The United States government wanted to keep the mustangs from becoming extinct. Congress passed a law in 1971 that protected the horses. Now, the government takes care of areas that have too many mustangs. They offer some of the horses to people who want to adopt them. Experts estimate that there are around 41,000 mustangs living in the United States.
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MUSTANGS Use the passage on page 40 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
Which of the following best defines the word indigenous? A.
a popular symbol or image
B.
a breed of wild horse
C.
native to a particular place
D.
imported from another country
Sequence the sentences in chronological order. _________ Approximately two million mustangs roamed the countryside. _________ Spanish armies brought horses to the New World. _________ Congress passed a law protecting mustangs. _________ Horses became extinct in the Western hemisphere. _________ Private conservation efforts began to protect mustangs.
3.
4.
5.
Which of the following sentences is true? A.
Mustangs roaming the plains today are of pure Spanish ancestry.
B.
Mustangs have lived in North America since the end of the Ice Age.
C.
The first mustangs were horses that escaped from the Spanish army.
D.
Mustangs have always been a protected species in the United States.
Choose another good title for the passage. A.
Join the Herd
B.
Horsing Around!
C.
Happy and Free
D.
Wild Horses of the West
Do you think further steps should be taken to protect mustangs? Why or why not? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
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THOR’S HAMMER Read the story. Odin had many sons who helped him protect the humans and the gods. Thor was the most famous of Odin’s sons. Thor was tall and strong, with flaming red hair, a shaggy beard, and fiery red eyes that flashed like lightning when he was angry. Thor carried a massive magic hammer named Miolnir. Even the mighty Thor needed a magic belt that doubled his own remarkable strength to wield the hammer. Miolnir was so hot and so fiery that Thor also needed a magic iron glove to hold it. Thor and Miolnir were not allowed to use the rainbow bridge that connected Asgard to the other worlds. The gods were concerned that Thor and Miolnir’s weight might break the bridge or that Miolnir’s heat might melt it. Thor always traveled through the clouds. When he was angry, Thor threw Miolnir. Men and women saw the trail of fire when Thor threw the hammer, and they called it lightning. They heard the booming crash of Miolnir and called it thunder. Part of the magic of the hammer was that it always returned to Thor when he threw it. The giants of Jötunheim feared Thor and Miolnir. Thor was the main protector of Asgard, and he vowed never to let Miolnir out of his sight. However, when Thor awoke one morning and reached for Miolnir, he discovered that it was missing. He searched the area, but the hammer was gone. First, he suspected Loki, a god who was always playing tricks. With his eyes blazing, Thor grabbed Loki. But, Loki was innocent. He promised to help Thor find the hammer. Loki took Thor to elegant Freya, a beautiful goddess and the queen of the Valkyries. “Will you lend me your white, feathered cape?” Loki asked. “I must fly to the other worlds to search for Thor’s hammer.” Freya knew that Asgard was in danger if Thor did not have his hammer. She lent her priceless magic cape to Loki. Immediately, he turned into a white raven. Loki flew straight to Jötunheim, land of the giants, because they had the most to gain by separating Thor from Miolnir. He flew above Jötunheim searching for Thrym, the king of the giants. Thrym was cunning and malicious enough to have stolen Thor’s hammer. Loki finally spied the king on top of a hill, grooming a herd of horses that surrounded his knees. “What have you done with Thor’s hammer?” Loki asked, flying high above the giant’s reach. Thrym laughed so hard that a nearby mountain shook. “It is true!” he roared. “I have Thor’s hammer, and it is buried eight leagues beneath the ground. You will never find it, and Thor will never have it again!”
to be continued . . .
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THOR’S HAMMER Use the story on page 42 to answer the questions. 1.
Why did the giants steal Thor’s magic hammer? _______________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
2.
3.
Which word best describes Thor? A.
timid
B.
shy
C.
weak
D.
mighty
Read each sentence. Write F if the sentence states a fact. Write O if it states an opinion. _________ Thor is scary. _________ Thor is Odin’s son. _________ Thor carried a massive hammer named Miolnir. _________ Freya is a goddess and a queen.
4.
What do you think will happen next? __________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Write the word from the story that best fits each definition. 5.
invaluable ___________________________________________________________________
6.
with a desire to harm _________________________________________________________
7.
skilled at deceiving, shrewd __________________________________________________
8.
promised ____________________________________________________________________
9.
tasteful and refined __________________________________________________________
A possessive is a word that shows ownership. The singular possessive is usually formed by adding ’s to a word. Rewrite each phrase as a possessive. 10.
magic of the hammer ________________________________________________________
11.
booming crash of Miolnir _____________________________________________________
12.
protector of Asgard __________________________________________________________
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THOR’S HAMMER (CONTINUED) Read the story. “The gods will recompense you for the hammer,” said Loki. “Think of our great treasures and name your price.” “I have treasure,” said Thrym. “The only treasure that I would barter for is Freya as my bride!” Loki flew back to Thor and Freya and explained Thrym’s demand. “I refuse!” shouted Freya. “I could never marry that crude, witless giant!” The gods called a council meeting. Without Thor’s hammer to protect them, they would need all of their energy to protect Asgard. They would never be able to help humankind again. Then, Loki stepped forward and said, “Let us pretend that Freya agreed to marry Thrym. One of the gods will go in disguise wearing a bridal dress and veil, and he will demand Miolnir before the marriage.” “But, which god should go?” they asked. “He who lost the hammer,” Loki replied. All eyes turned toward the mountainous Thor. The gods tried mightily to stifle their laughter at the thought of Thor in a wedding gown with a garland of flowers on his head. “Never!” roared Thor. “My son,” said Odin, “you are the only one who can control Miolnir.” Thor hesitated. Then, he pointed his finger at the council and roared, “You must all swear that you will not laugh at me!” “We will swear,” said Odin. “Loki, you will go with Thor dressed as his bridesmaid.” The gods and goddesses dressed Thor in a white gown with red embroidery and a veil thick enough to cover his bristly red hair and beard. A garland of flowers rested on his head. Freya put her bridal jewels around his neck and across his chest. Loki also wore a dress and veil. Thor and Loki were ready for their journey to the land of the giants.
to be continued . . .
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THOR’S HAMMER (CONTINUED) Use the story on page 44 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
Which word best describes the mood of the story? A.
tense
B.
relaxed
C.
cheerful
D.
pleasant
Read each sentence. Write F if the sentence states a fact. Write O if it states an opinion. _________ Thor and Loki agree to wear disguises. _________ Thor is the greatest of the gods. _________ Thor is a beautiful bride. _________ The gods want to be able to help humankind.
3.
4.
Which sentence best describes Loki? A.
He is unkind.
B.
He is quiet and shy.
C.
He is clever.
D.
He can never be trusted.
What do you think will happen next? __________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Write the word from the story that best fits each definition. 5.
to trade _____________________________________________________________________
6.
to hold back or suppress _____________________________________________________
7.
to reward or repay ___________________________________________________________
8.
cloth decorated with patterns of sewn thread _________________________________
The suffix less means “not having” or “without.” Write the meaning of each word. 9.
helpless _____________________________________________________________________
10.
doubtless ____________________________________________________________________
11.
motionless ___________________________________________________________________
12.
senseless ____________________________________________________________________
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THOR’S HAMMER (CONTINUED) Read the story. Thor and Loki traveled for eight days. The gods sent a messenger ahead of them so that Thrym could prepare the wedding feast. As the bride and bridesmaid approached, Thrym rushed to meet them, exclaiming, “Welcome, beautiful Freya, who will soon be my wife!” Thor remained silent. Thrym turned to the bridesmaid. “Why does she not speak?” he asked suspiciously. “When she heard she was to marry the great king Thrym, Freya shouted for joy these eight days. Now, she is hoarse,” Loki said. “Oh, yes, I understand,” said the conceited giant. When they sat down for the feast, the giants watched in amazement as the bride ravenously devoured eight plates of food. Loki kicked Thor under the table, but Thor ignored Loki and ate an entire cake. This time, the bridesmaid leaned over to Thrym and said, “Poor thing, she has been so anxious about getting married that she has not eaten one bite in eight days.” “Poor, sweet Freya,” said Thrym. “She is nervous to marry the great king of Jötunheim!” With that, Thrym lifted the corner of the veil to kiss his bride, but when he saw two fiery eyes, he dropped the veil and jumped back. “Why are her eyes so red?” Thrym asked the bridesmaid. “It is the fire of love,” Loki responded. “She will wait no longer!” Thrym roared. “Let us marry this bride to her hero!” “First, we need Thor’s hammer,” Loki said. King Thrym gave the command. It took four giants to carry the hammer and place it in front of the bride. “Let Thor have his hammer,” said Thrym. “Today, I will marry the most beautiful goddess in Asgard.” Thor’s heart leapt when he saw Miolnir. He grabbed the hammer, threw back the veil, stood, and shouted, “I am not Freya, but Thor! Fear my vengeance!” The giants rushed at Thor and Loki, but the gods defeated them all. Then, Thor and Loki rushed outside. With one powerful blow from Miolnir, the great hall of Thrym crashed to the ground. There was a great feast at Asgard when Thor and Loki returned. Thor laughed uproariously as he and Loki described their adventure, and Thor released the gods from their vow so that they could laugh too.
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THOR’S HAMMER (CONTINUED) Use the story on page 46 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
3.
Which word best describes Thrym? A.
generous
B.
kind
C.
self-centered
D.
thoughtful
What is the main conflict in this story? A.
person versus person
B.
person versus nature
C.
person versus society
D.
person versus self (internal conflict)
Sequence the sentences in chronological order. _________ Thor eats eight plates of food and an entire cake. _________ Loki makes excuses for the bride’s silence. _________ Thor uses his hammer to destroy the great hall of Thrym. _________ Thrym gives Thor’s hammer to the bride. _________ Thor and Loki describe their adventure to the other gods.
4.
Write a summary of this story. _________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Write the word from the story that best fits each definition. 5.
vain _________________________________________________________________________
6.
ate greedily _________________________________________________________________
7.
loudly _______________________________________________________________________
Write the words from the story with the suffix ly that have these meanings. 8.
with suspicion ________________________________________________________________
9.
extremely hungry ____________________________________________________________
10.
with noisy excitement ________________________________________________________
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GRANTLAND RICE Read the passage. Grantland Rice was one of America’s best-loved sportswriters. He had a vast knowledge of many sports, and his ability to write eloquently about them was uncanny. But, what distinguished Rice from other sportswriters was the way he reported sports. He believed that good sportsmanship could lift people to morally greater heights. His philosophy of life became evident in his writing. Rice was a columnist, a poet, and an author. He was also a film producer, a family man, a war veteran, and a skillful golfer. His personal accomplishments in more than 50 years of sportswriting were amazing. Through the eyes of Grantland Rice, good athletes became American heroes. He made household names of athletes like Jack Dempsey, Ty Cobb, Jim Thorpe, Red Grange, and Bill Tilden. He wrote about Gene Tunney, Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Babe Ruth, Christy Mathewson, and the “Four Horsemen” of Notre Dame. Rice honed the craft of sportswriting. Rice often used poetry in his columns. One example was “Game Called,” a poem he wrote on the date of Babe Ruth’s death. Rice’s most famous quotation is from his poem “Alumnus Football.” The last two lines of that poem read, “For when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, / He writes—not that you won or lost—but how you played the Game.” His death in 1954 was mourned across the United States, but Grantland Rice has not been forgotten. Since 1954, the Grantland Rice Trophy has been awarded to the national champions in college football.
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GRANTLAND RICE Use the passage on page 48 to answer the questions. 1.
What types of writing did Grantland Rice do? __________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
2.
In what year did Grantland Rice die?__________________________________________
3.
Do you read the newspaper? Why or why not? ________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
What made Grantland Rice one of America’s favorite sportswriters? A.
He had a vast knowledge of many sports.
B.
His style was a blend of journalism and sports culture.
C.
His writing made heroes out of good athletes.
D.
all of the above
Which of the following would have been most important to Grantland Rice on the field of play? A.
the final score
B.
good sportsmanship
C.
evenly matched teams
D.
a close game
What does uncanny mean in the passage? A.
unfavorable
B.
beyond the ordinary
C.
recognizable
D.
not very clever
Which best characterizes the time setting for the sportswriting career of Grantland Rice? A.
early 1800s
B.
late 1800s
C.
early 1900s
D.
late 1900s
How do you think the final two lines of Rice’s poem “Alumnus Football” reflect the way Rice felt about competitive sports? ___________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
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BETTER-BET ELECTRONICS Read the letter. 123 Oakmont Lane Freeville, PA 75432 May 1, 2007 Ms. Sophia Ramon, Manager Customer Service Better-Bet Electronics P.O. Box 405 Chicago, IL 55451 Dear Ms. Ramon: One year ago, I purchased a television from your company. I have made several purchases from Better-Bet Electronics in the past, and I have always been a satisfied customer. Unfortunately, my experience with your company recently has not been good. I purchased a new television on April 30, 2006. Within one month, the television’s picture had gone out. Since the television was under warranty, I called Better-Bet Electronics’ repair service. I was told by the repair service that it would be four weeks before a repairman could come to my house. Four weeks was a long time to wait, but I was patient. When the repairman arrived, he fixed the television within 20 minutes. I was satisfied that the problem had been resolved. Three months later, the television’s sound stopped working. I called the repair service again. I was told that it would be two months before someone could fix my television. Three months later, after missing two appointments, your repairman finally fixed my television. Yesterday was the last day that the warranty on my television was valid. Today, my television’s picture has gone out for the second time. I feel the television I purchased is of very poor quality. This entire situation reflects negatively on your company. I request that Better-Bet Electronics replaces the television free of charge. I will contact you within five days to discuss this matter further. With a satisfactory resolution to this problem, I can assure you that I will remain a loyal Better-Bet Electronics customer. Sincerely,
Anne Nehs Anne Nehs
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BETTER-BET ELECTRONICS Use the letter on page 50 to answer the questions. 1.
How would you feel if you had purchased this television? Why? _________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
2.
What do you think Ms. Ramon’s response to this letter will be? Why? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
3.
Why do you think that companies want to keep their customers satisfied? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
4.
5.
6.
What company does Ms. Ramon work for? A.
customer service
B.
manager
C.
Better-Deal
D.
Better-Bet Electronics
Anne wrote this letter to let the company know that she wants ________________ . A.
a DVD player
B.
a new TV
C.
a job
D.
a full refund
Why was Anne dissatisfied with Better-Bet Electronics’ TV repair service? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
7.
8.
How long had Anne owned the TV when the second problem occurred? A.
one month
B.
three months
C.
one year
D.
five months
Based on Anne Nehs’s letter, do you think that she will receive a new TV? Give three reasons why or why not. ________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
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GO BONES! Read the passage. Most preteens do not worry about what their bodies will be like when they turn 40 or 50. That seems like such a long way away! Yet, there are some very simple things that can be done before the age of 18 that will have a huge impact on life after 50. It is as simple as exercising, eating right, and getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D, which is needed for calcium absorption. So, what is the big deal? The problem is osteoporosis —a word that means bones are losing mass and are more apt to break or fracture. Osteoporosis can even cause collapsed vertebrae, resulting in incredible back pain and spinal deformities, like a rounded back. Osteoporosis poses a serious risk for about 55 percent of Americans 50 years and older. More than 20 million Americans and 1.4 million Canadians suffer from this condition. Osteoporosis cannot be cured. It can be treated, but not always successfully. The best way to take care of it is to prevent it. The best time to prevent osteoporosis is before the age of 18. From birth to late teens is when people build their greatest amount of bone mass. This is the time when dietary calcium—from food, not pills— directly results in bones growing to their maximum density. If bone mass is not built during this time, it cannot be “caught up” later. The problem is that many children are not getting enough calcium in their diets. Milk and other dairy products are rich in calcium. Several studies have shown that girls and boys who drink a lot of soft drinks and fruit beverages tend to drink less milk. Other studies have shown that cola and caffeinated beverages leach calcium out of the bones, which means that more calcium is needed to compensate. Depending on the amount of caffeine ingested, anywhere from one to five servings of calcium could be leached from the bones each day. Most adults need about 1,000 milligrams (mg) of dietary calcium per day, without drinking cola; children need slightly more. People under 18 years old need the equivalent of four to five glasses of milk each day. For those who do not like milk, the good news is that calcium can also be found in other foods, like yogurt, cheese, green leafy vegetables, and broccoli. In fact, if you start checking labels, you will be surprised where calcium shows up. Other preventative measures include regular exercise, a balanced diet, and not smoking. You have the power to take preventative measures now. Armed with knowledge, you can have a direct impact on what your life will be like many years from now.
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GO BONES! Use the passage on page 52 to answer the questions. 1.
What is osteoporosis? _________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
2.
List two possible consequences of a person having osteoporosis.________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
3.
Why should children and young adults be concerned about osteoporosis? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
4.
When is the most bone mass grown? __________________________________________
5.
What can you eat to get calcium if you do not like to drink milk? _______________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
6.
What effect do caffeinated beverages have on the bones? ___________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
7.
What, besides calcium, will strengthen your bones and help prevent osteoporosis? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
8.
Evaluate your lifestyle. What could you do to help your bones? _________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
9.
What is the role of vitamin D? _________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
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THE SAPPHIRE POND Read the story. Long ago, five young, heroic princes were banished from their kingdom. Their father had died, and their cousins stole the kingdom from the boys. As they searched for food one day, they stopped to rest beneath a tall tree. The brothers were thirsty and tired. Yudhistira, the oldest brother and the leader of the group, said, “Nakula, climb this tree and look for any sign of water.” Nakula climbed the tree. From the treetop he saw a lush, verdant area to the west. He told his brothers what he had seen, and then he headed off to find the water. He came upon a clear pond filled with sparkling, sapphire water. He fell to his knees and cupped his hands to drink. “Stop!” a voice cried. Nakula glanced around. Seeing no one, he knelt to quench his thirst. “Stop! This pond is mine, and you may not drink until you answer my questions!” Again, Nakula glanced around and saw no one, so he started to drink the water. As soon as it touched his lips, he fell lifelessly forward. When Nakula did not return, Yudhistira sent Sahadwa after him. Sahadwa found the sapphire pond without seeing his brother, and he rushed to the water’s edge for a drink. “Stop!” ordered the voice. “Before you drink you must answer my questions!” Sahadwa saw no one, and he bent to take a drink before searching for Nakula. No sooner did he bring the water to his mouth than he fell to the ground. When the two brothers did not return, Arjuna and Bhima went to search for them. They were shocked to see their brothers lying by the water. Arjuna put an arrow in his bow, and Bhima raised his mace and shouted threats into the forest. The brothers crept forward. Their throats and bodies ached with thirst, and they knelt by the pond to drink. “Stop! Do not drink my water until you answer my questions!” The brothers saw no one. After a few moments, they cupped their hands to drink and raised the water to their lips. As the water touched their lips, they fell to the ground. Yudhistira finally followed his brothers into the forest. The enormous trees and the serene pond amazed him, but when he saw his brothers lying by the water, anguish filled his heart. He cried out, his lament echoing through the forest, “Who has done this to my brothers? Come and face me!” There was no answer to Yudhistira’s shout. He turned to his brothers and examined their faces and bodies. He saw no marks of combat, and he was mystified. Sadly, he bent to drink from the pond before attending to his brothers.
to be continued . . .
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THE SAPPHIRE POND Use the story on page 54 to answer the questions. 1.
Sequence the sentences in chronological order. _________ Yudhistira laments the loss of his four younger brothers. _________ A voice warns Sahadwa to answer questions before taking a drink. _________ Five brothers are banished from their kingdom. _________ Nakula climbs a tree to look for water. _________ Arjuna and Bhima fall to the ground.
2.
What do you think will happen next? __________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________
3.
When did this story take place? A.
a few weeks ago
B.
a few months ago
C.
a few years ago
D.
a few hundred years ago
What clue(s) in the story helped you choose your answer? _____________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Write the word from the story that best fits each definition. 4.
expression of sorrow __________________________________________________________
5.
green with plants ____________________________________________________________
6.
tranquil ______________________________________________________________________
7.
to satisfy _____________________________________________________________________
The prefix over means “above,” “extremely,” or “beyond.” Write the meaning of each word. 8.
overage _____________________________________________________________________
9.
overcoat ____________________________________________________________________
10.
overeat _____________________________________________________________________
11.
overlook _____________________________________________________________________
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THE SAPPHIRE POND (CONTINUED) Read the story. “Stop!” the voice called to Yudhistira. “This pond is mine! If you answer my questions, you may drink. If you cannot answer them, the water is forbidden to you!” Yudhistira’s first thought was to fight, but instead he decided on a different course. “Who has vanquished my brothers? I pay you homage, but I also ask humbly for an explanation as to why you slew four young men whose only crime was thirst.” The waters swirled, a mist arose, and a giant figure materialized above the pond. “I am Yaksha, the spirit who protects this part of the earth. I warned your brothers, but they ignored my warnings and tried to take my water. You must also answer my questions before you drink.” “Oh, Yaksha, my thirst is terrible, but I will answer your questions as best as I can.” In a booming voice that filled the forest, Yaksha rapidly called out questions, some simple and some profound. He did not give Yudhistira time to think, but Yudhistira answered the questions as quickly as they came. “What is faster than the wind?” “Thought.” “What is one’s highest duty?” “To keep from causing injury.” As the questioning continued, Yudhistira grew weary. The voice from his parched throat became hoarse and faint. Finally, Yaksha said, “Answer these last questions and I will reward you. First, how does one become agreeable?” “By getting rid of one’s pride.” “Second, how can one live without regret?” “By getting rid of one’s anger.” “Third, what is mercy?” “Wishing happiness to all creatures.” “You please me with your humility and your thoughtful answers,” said Yaksha. “You have strengthened your mind with learning, and I see that you are ready to face the challenges before you. Let all of your brothers rise and join you.” With that, the four fallen brothers awoke from their trances and rejoiced with Yudhistira at their reunion.
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THE SAPPHIRE POND (CONTINUED) Use the story on page 56 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
What is the most likely reason the author had for telling this story? A.
to be funny
B.
to teach principles of good behavior
C.
to warn people about drinking from ponds
D.
to tell factual history
Based on this story, write G before statements that are good behavior and B before those that are bad behavior. _________ causing change through nonviolence _________ caring only about oneself _________ helping other people _________ being humble
3.
Which word best describes Yudhistira? A.
impulsive
B.
cowardly
C.
humble
D.
selfish
Write the word from the story that best fits each definition. 4.
dried ________________________________________________________________________
5.
defeated ____________________________________________________________________
6
raspy ________________________________________________________________________
7.
appeared ___________________________________________________________________
8.
honor for a person ____________________________________________________________
Circle two words in each row that are related to the word in bold type. 9. 10.
charity
help
love
anger
duty
obligation
responsibility
chance
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THE RABBIT KING Read the story. A large bull elephant stood by a shrunken water hole. A bird splashed in the dregs of the muddy water that remained. The elephant raised his trunk and trumpeted to gather his herd. “The rivers are shallow, and the ponds are dry,” the elephant said. “You must follow me through the jungle to find water somewhere closer to the mountains.” For days the elephants followed their leader through the jungle. Finally, they came to a beautiful pond. They rushed into the water without seeing the dozens of rabbit holes surrounding the pond. After quenching their thirst, they sprayed water on themselves and their neighbors and rolled in the cool mud. From behind the cover of the leaves, the rabbit king watched. As the elephants thundered into the water, their heavy footsteps destroyed many of the rabbit homes. If the elephants decided to stay by the lake, the lives of the rabbits would be ruined. Even though he was much smaller than an elephant, he knew that he must find a way to get the elephants to leave. The rabbit king devised a plan. An elephant-sized rock stood not far from the bank. Its top was covered with tree branches. The rabbit king climbed to the top, hid in the leaves, and waited until the elephant king came close. “King of the elephants, listen!” the rabbit king said in a loud voice. “Listen to the messenger of the Moon God.” The elephant king could see no one, but he asked, “What do you want?” “The Moon God is very angry with you! He bathes in this pool every night, and the rabbits are his servants. You and your herd have scared the rabbits away!” “We did not know,” replied the elephant king. “What should we do?” “Come back tonight, alone. When you see the Moon God shaking with anger, apologize and promise to never return to his pool!” That night, the elephant king entered the pool alone. When he looked into the water, he saw the moon reflected from the sky. His footsteps caused ripples on the surface that made the reflection of the moon shake, and he thought that the Moon God was shaking with anger. The elephant king bowed his head and apologized. “Forgive us, Moon God. We did not know this was your pool. We will leave for another pool and never return here.” The elephants left the next morning, and the rabbit king and his rabbits happily rebuilt their homes and their lives at their pond.
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THE RABBIT KING Use the story on page 58 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
3.
Which sentence best states the main idea of this story? A.
Elephants can be destructive.
B.
Sometimes, mental power is more important than physical power.
C.
It is best to give in to powerful enemies.
D.
Science can explain why we see the moon in a pond.
What type of story is “The Rabbit King”? A.
nonfiction
B.
biography
C.
historical fiction
D.
fable
Write a summary of the main action of this story. _______________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Write the word from the story that best fits each definition. 4.
created or thought of ________________________________________________________
5.
sediments of a liquid __________________________________________________________
6.
gave a resounding call _______________________________________________________
7.
small waves _________________________________________________________________
8.
a mirror image _______________________________________________________________
Write the name of the best reference to use when searching for the information given. 9.
the dates of the full moons for this year ________________________________________
10.
a map showing the jungle areas of India ______________________________________
11.
detailed information about elephants _________________________________________
12.
the meaning of the word reflection ___________________________________________
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MOHANDAS KARAMCHAND GANDHI Read the passage. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born October 2, 1869. His father was an advisor to the prince of a small state in India. Gandhi was a weak, skinny, shy boy. He was an average student, and he often ran home after school so that the other children would not tease him. After he finished high school, Gandhi studied law at University College in London, England. He returned to India in 1891 to practice law. He lost his first case, and he felt so guilty about the loss that he returned his client’s money. He blamed his failure on his shyness before the judge. Gandhi went to South Africa in 1893 to represent an Indian law firm. At that time, South Africa had laws restricting the rights of people based on their race. White European immigrants had the most rights. Members of the large Indian population had fewer rights. Native people, who were the majority population, had the fewest rights. One of Gandhi’s first experiences with racial discrimination in South Africa happened when he was riding on a train. A white passenger was upset to have an Indian man riding in the same compartment. The conductor ordered Gandhi to a third-class train car, even though he had a first-class ticket. Gandhi refused and was thrown off the train. Gandhi extended his stay in South Africa to help fight a law that prohibited Indians from voting. After witnessing racism, discrimination, and injustice, Gandhi began putting more time and energy into working to change South Africa’s unjust laws. Gandhi visited India in 1896 and wrote a pamphlet about discrimination in South Africa. His pamphlet angered many European settlers in South Africa. When he returned to South Africa, he was greeted by an angry mob. That was a turning point for Gandhi. After that experience, Gandhi started a human rights movement. Gandhi and his followers refused to obey unjust laws. He was jailed many times because of that. In jail, he studied the teachings of Jesus Christ, Henry David Thoreau, and Leo Tolstoy. He also wrote and prayed. Gandhi believed that the resistance and protest of unjust laws should be nonviolent. He instructed his followers to never insult or retaliate against their adversaries. He also encouraged his followers to submit peacefully to arrest. Gandhi called his vision of peaceful resistance satyagraha. After a few years, some of the laws were amended. Gandhi was a hero to the Indians in South Africa.
to be continued . . .
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MOHANDAS KARAMCHAND GANDHI Use the passage on page 60 to answer the questions. 1.
Put a check in front of the words that describe Gandhi. _________ determined _________ boastful _________ well-educated _________ greedy
2.
Read each sentence. Write F if the sentence states a fact. Write O if it states an opinion. _________ Gandhi was the greatest man in India. _________ Gandhi became a lawyer. _________ Gandhi influenced millions of people. _________ Gandhi was an inspiring man.
3.
Sequence the sentences in chronological order. _________ Gandhi studied law at University College in London, England. _________ Gandhi wrote a pamphlet about discrimination in South Africa. _________ Gandhi lost his first case and returned his client’s money. _________ Gandhi moved to South Africa to represent an Indian law firm. _________ Some laws were amended in South Africa. _________ Gandhi was thrown off of a train for refusing to move to a third-class train car.
Write the word from the passage that best fits each definition. 4.
to get revenge _______________________________________________________________
5.
a customer __________________________________________________________________
6.
changed, altered ____________________________________________________________
7.
a short book _________________________________________________________________
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MOHANDAS KARAMCHAND GANDHI (CONTINUED) Read the passage. After 21 years in South Africa, Gandhi returned to India. He wanted freedom for his homeland, India, which had been part of the British Empire since 1757. Gandhi helped the Indian freedom movement grow. Four years after Gandhi returned, a law was passed that prohibited organizing against the government. Thousands of Indian people peacefully gathered to protest the law. British soldiers opened fire on the crowd. They killed 379 people and wounded more than 1,200 others. Gandhi responded to that tragic confrontation by organizing a boycott of the government and of foreign goods. Thousands of Indian people quit their government jobs and took their children out of government schools. Gandhi wanted his people to work in home industries instead of working for foreign companies. He wanted his people to weave their own cloth instead of buying cloth from England. He used a spinning wheel and a loom to make cloth for his own clothes. From then on, he wore clothes that only he had made. Salt was important in the Indian diet. The British government controlled the salt trade and taxed its sale. In 1930, 60-year-old Gandhi walked 241 miles to the Arabian Sea. It took 24 days. He started his march with 78 followers but ended it with thousands. They gathered seawater in clay pots. Then, they put the pots in the sun. When the water evaporated, they had salt. Gandhi and his followers were arrested because they made their own salt. Eventually, a total of 60,000 of Gandhi’s followers were arrested. The British could not keep jailing so many people, so they amended the laws. Meanwhile, Gandhi’s fame grew throughout the world. In 1930, Time magazine named Gandhi “Man of the Year.” Gandhi also worked to end the injustices of India’s caste system. This system divided people into classes and gave more privileges to Indians born in upper-caste families. Some Indians resented Gandhi for his work against the caste system. Others resented him for his work to end hostilities between Hindu and Muslim people. However, most Indians revered Gandhi as a great leader. When Gandhi fasted to protest injustices, millions grew concerned for his life. Change often resulted. The greatest change took place when Britain granted independence to India in 1947. India won that freedom through a nonviolent revolution led by a man named Gandhi.
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MOHANDAS KARAMCHAND GANDHI (CONTINUED) Use the passage on page 62 to answer the questions. 1.
Sequence the sentences in chronological order. _________ Thousands of Indian people quit their government jobs. _________ India becomes part of the British Empire. _________ India becomes a free country. _________ Gandhi returns to India and helps the freedom movement grow. _________ Gandhi and his followers are arrested for making salt.
2.
Read each sentence. Write T if the sentence is true. Write F if it is false. _________ Gandhi believed in nonviolent protest. _________ Gandhi encouraged his followers to work for foreign companies. _________ Gandhi used a spinning wheel and a loom to make his own clothes. _________ Everyone revered Gandhi.
3.
Why do you think that so many people respected Gandhi? ____________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
4.
List three nonviolent ways that Gandhi and his followers protested injustice. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
5.
Why did Gandhi walk to the Arabian Sea? _____________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Write the word from the passage that best fits each definition. 6.
deeply respected or admired _________________________________________________
7.
a machine for weaving ______________________________________________________
8.
an exclusive social class ______________________________________________________
9.
to refuse to buy goods as a protest ___________________________________________
10.
to go without food or drink ___________________________________________________
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MOM AT BAT Read the story. Our town’s Goodtimes Festival fell on a humid Saturday morning in July. I remember the days leading up to the festival because I wanted them to last forever. To my chagrin, my mom had decided to play in the annual softball tournament. On the day of the tournament, my mother, brother, and I made our way to the ballpark. By the time we arrived, a crowd already filled the bleachers. My brother and I took our seats in the stands while our mom strutted onto the field. She joined her team and headed for the dugouts. The umpires took their places on the field as one of them roared, “Let’s play ball. Batter up!” The crowd fell silent. The first batter on the opposing team took her stance. My brother and I watched patiently as she, and the next two batters, struck out. The first batter on my mom’s team was up next. I watched her strike out, wondering why my mom seemed so intent on embarrassing me. The second batter was no better than the first, swinging the bat as if she were swatting at flies. Mom was up next, and I could feel my face turning red. I looked around to see if anyone was watching me. The pitcher wound up, and I winced as the ball flew past my mom like a rocket. I do not think that she even saw it. “Strike one,” yelled the umpire as the catcher threw the ball back to the pitcher. I watched as my mom warmed up for the next pitch. I swallowed hard, but it was as if an enormous grape was lodged in my throat. The pitcher released the second pitch, and a look of frustration grew on the spectators’ faces as my mother swung and missed. “Strike two!” yelled the umpire. I think the whole crowd was beginning to wonder if anyone would ever hit a ball. Mom took a step back from the plate and peered at me. She looked like she needed encouragement, but all I could muster was a shrug of my shoulders. This seemed to work, though, because she stepped up to the plate like a professional ballplayer who had a date with a home run. Dust stirred where she stood, and her eyes were fixed tenaciously on the pitcher’s mound. By this time, I was feeling nauseous. I sank lower into my seat. I watched the pitcher wind up and throw a fastball. Everything appeared like it was moving in slow motion. The ball spun closer and closer, and then I heard a “whack”! I could not believe what I was witnessing—my mom running from first to second base, second to third, and finally, third to home. When she reached home plate, my brother and I stood and cheered with the crowd. Seeing us standing, my mom smiled and gave us a thumbs-up. In acknowledgment of her victory, we did the same.
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MOM AT BAT Use the story on page 64 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What is the simile in the sentence “The second batter was no better than the first, swinging the bat as if she were swatting flies.”? A.
no better than
B.
swinging the bat
C.
the second batter
D.
as if she were swatting flies
What does nauseous mean in the story? A.
happy
B.
sick
C.
sad
D.
angry
Why is there a baseball game being played? A.
There is a baseball game every Saturday morning.
B.
The game is part of an annual festival.
C.
The two teams had planned the game weeks ago.
D.
The game was organized to raise money.
Which word is a synonym for chagrin? A.
embarrassment
B.
wishfulness
C.
excitement
D.
amusement
Why does the author sink lower in his seat? ____________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
6.
7.
What does the author’s mom do before she hits the home run? A.
gives the author a thumbs-up
B.
winks at the crowd
C.
telephones her husband at work
D.
readies herself like a professional
What do you think the phrase “The pitcher wound up, and I winced as the ball flew past my mom like a rocket” means? ______________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
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ANANSI AND THE POT OF WISDOM Read the story. A long time ago, at the beginning of the world, people could not solve problems on their own. Nyame, the sky god, looked down and felt sorry for them. He said, “I will send wisdom to the people. Then, they can solve problems on their own.” Anansi, the man-spider, was visiting Nyame that day. He heard what Nyame planned to do. “That is a splendid idea!” said Anansi. “Give the wisdom to me, and I will take it down to the people.” Even though Anansi was known to be a selfish trickster, Nyame put his wisdom into a big clay pot and gave the pot to Anansi. Nyame said, “This wisdom is more valuable than gold, silver, or jewels. Take it to the people so that they can solve their problems.” Anansi took the pot to Earth and looked inside. It was full of wonderful ideas and skills. “First, I will use this wisdom,” he said to himself. “Then, I will give it to the people.” Each day, Anansi opened the pot and learned new things. “There is so much wisdom in here,” he said. “I must keep it a long time before I give it to the people.” After many days, Anansi said, “This wisdom is too valuable to share with people. I must keep it for myself.” He decided to hide it in the top of a high tree where no human could climb, and he began to ponder how to carry the heavy pot up the tree. Anansi had an idea. He gathered some strong vines and tied one end of them around the pot. Then, he tied the other end of the vines around his waist and started to climb. But, the dangling pot kept catching in the branches and getting in his way. Anansi’s son came by and saw his father’s struggles and frustration. “Father,” the young boy-spider said, “if you tie the pot to your back, it will be much easier for you to hold onto the tree and climb.” Anansi followed his son’s advice and switched the pot to his back. The rest of the climb was much easier, but when he got to the top and looked back down at his little son, he thought, “What a fool I am! I have the pot of wisdom, and yet a little boy had more common sense than I did! What use is all of this wisdom to me?” In a fit of anger, Anansi threw the pot down to the ground. It smashed into millions of pieces, and the wisdom scattered all over the world. People found the bits of wisdom and took them home to their families. That is why no one person has all of the wisdom. We each share a piece of our wisdom with each other when we exchange ideas.
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ANANSI AND THE POT OF WISDOM Use the story on page 66 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
3.
What is the most likely reason why someone would tell this story? A.
to entertain readers
B.
to persuade readers
C.
to inform readers
D.
to scare readers
Which word best describes Anansi in this story? A.
selfish
B.
trustworthy
C.
generous
D.
humble
In which sentence does rest have the same meaning as in paragraph 10? A.
She wanted to hear the rest of the story.
B.
He decided to lie down for a rest.
C.
Rest the ladder against the wall.
D.
Please let the issue rest.
Write the word from the story that best fits each definition. 4.
to think deeply ______________________________________________________________
5.
hanging loosely ______________________________________________________________
6.
to give and receive __________________________________________________________
7.
dispersed ____________________________________________________________________
8.
magnificent __________________________________________________________________
The prefix inter- means “between” or “among.” Match each word with the prefix inter- with its meaning. 9.
_________ a face-to-face meeting
A.
interfere
10.
_________ meddle
B.
international
11.
_________ to act with each other
C.
intersection
12.
_________ where two things cross
D.
interview
13.
_________ break up an activity
E.
interrupt
14.
_________ among many nations
F.
interact
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MARDI GRAS Read the passage. The term Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday.” It is the last day of the carnival festivities before Lent. The next day is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. Over time, Mardi Gras has come to represent the entire carnival period. One of the biggest celebrations takes place in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. The French were holding masked balls and parties in New Orleans as early as 1718. When the Spanish government rose to power, parties were banned. After the Spanish rule ended, people could once again attend parties and hide their identities behind masks. During the 1850s, the elegant Mardi Gras parties continued but were in contrast to wild parties going on in the streets. The celebration was once again in danger of being banned. A group of men formed a secret society called the Mystick Krewe of Comus. Their purpose was to save Mardi Gras with proper planning and management. The secret society planned the first Mardi Gras parade. Next, the Krewe of Rex was formed to entertain visiting royalty from Russia. Since America did not have royalty, the men in Rex created their own “king for a day.” They secretly chose one of their members to be the king of the carnival. This idea quickly caught on with the other Mardi Gras krewes. Since then, many other secret societies have sprung up all over New Orleans. Most of the krewes are private social clubs with restricted membership policies. Because the krewes pay for all of the parades, including elaborate and expensive costumes and masks, Mardi Gras has been called the “Greatest Free Show on Earth.” The huge celebration attracts millions of visitors to New Orleans every year for the largest party in the United States. According to tradition, carnival goers wear costumes and crowd the streets to watch parades. They try to catch minted doubloons, beads, and other trinkets that are thrown from the floats during the parades. King cake is another Mardi Gras tradition. Every year, many people eat this special pastry. King cakes are always frosted in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of green, gold, and purple. Traditional king cakes are made from dough that has been seasoned with cinnamon and braided into a ring. Now, some king cakes are filled with cream cheese or fruit fillings. Hidden inside each king cake is a small plastic baby. Whoever finds the toy is supposed to buy the next king cake or host the next Mardi Gras party. After Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005, there were debates about whether the city could celebrate Mardi Gras in 2006. Many krewes insisted that they would be ready for the traditional parades, and enthusiasm for the carnival grew. To limit the strain on city services, a smaller Mardi Gras celebration was held. Parade routes and times were limited. However, carnival goers turned out to support the city and the carnival. The Mardi Gras tradition had survived the storm.
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MARDI GRAS Use the passage on page 68 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What does krewe mean in the passage? A.
a type of weather
B.
staff members on a ship
C.
a secret society
D.
a close-shaven haircut
When does the Mardi Gras celebration begin each year? A.
the first day of spring
B.
before Ash Wednesday
C.
right after Fat Tuesday
D.
none of the above
The roots of Mardi Gras can be traced to this country’s heritage: A.
Spain
B.
France
C.
Germany
D.
Italy
Why do some people wear masks and costumes during the festivities? A.
to hide their identities
B.
to make the parades more exciting
C.
because the mayor of New Orleans issued a decree
D.
so that they can enter a costume contest
What was the Mystick Krewe of Comus? ______________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
6.
What does Mardi Gras mean in the passage? __________________________________
7.
What country’s government banned Mardi Gras parties? ______________________
8.
What is a king cake? How is it decorated? ____________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
9.
Write three Mardi Gras traditions. _____________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
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ASTHMA Read the passage. You just found out that your friend has asthma. All sorts of questions are running through your mind: Can I catch it? Can my friend still do “normal” things? Is it safe to be around my friend? Will my friend spend a lot of time indoors or in the hospital? First, asthma is not contagious. You cannot catch it from someone else. It is not passed on by bacteria or a virus like strep throat or a cold. Bacteria or a virus can, however, trigger asthma symptoms in someone who already has asthma. Anyone can develop asthma, including children and adults. Some evidence suggests that the tendency to develop asthma may be hereditary, or passed on by parents, like hair or eye color. Asthma is a chronic condition of the lungs that can be managed by taking medications and by avoiding triggers. Triggers are different for each asthmatic, or person with asthma, and can include allergens, irritants, viruses or bacteria, exercise, or stress. Just because a person has an allergy does not mean he has or will have asthma, just as a person who has asthma does not necessarily have allergies. Understanding how the lungs work can help you to better understand asthma. The lungs are made up of bronchi, which are interconnecting passageways that let oxygen and carbon dioxide pass between the body and the outside air. The bronchi branch off into smaller passageways called bronchioles. This entire system is often called the brachial tree. The bronchi are covered with cilia, which are small, hairlike projections that use mucus to sweep dust and other particles out of the lungs. Asthma is a lung condition that affects each person differently. However, all asthmatics have oversensitive lungs. They have problems when the muscles surrounding the bronchi squeeze too tightly and the brachial tree produces too much mucus. Because the airways are tighter and contain extra mucus, carbon dioxide gets trapped in the lower parts of the brachial tree, which results in a smaller area of the lungs being used for breathing. When oxygen is brought into the lungs, a smaller part of the lungs is able to absorb it and bring it to the body. The problem is not taking in oxygen. It is releasing the trapped carbon dioxide. The good news is that the lungs do not behave this way all of the time—only when a trigger is present. An asthma attack does not have to involve a trip to the hospital. Many asthmatics have emergency medications at home. An acute attack occurs when an asthmatic cannot control her breathing. When this happens, a trip to the emergency room and a short stay in the hospital may be necessary. Asthmatics can lead normal lives. They can play sports, travel, and do all sorts of fun things. They do, however, need to be aware of their own triggers. Different things trigger asthma in different patients. Knowledge, the correct medications and equipment, and a good working relationship with a doctor are an asthmatic’s best tools.
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ASTHMA Use the passage on page 70 to answer the questions. 1.
What does chronic mean in the passage? Use a dictionary if you need help. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
2.
What are bronchi? ___________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
3.
How do bronchi affect an asthmatic? _________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
4.
What does trigger mean in the passage? ______________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
5.
Write five possible triggers. ____________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
6.
Is asthma contagious? ________________________________________________________
7.
What does tendency mean in the passage? ___________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
8.
What does hereditary mean in the passage? __________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
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ANANSI AND ALL OF THE STORIES Read the story. When Anansi, the man-spider, had the pot of wisdom, he learned some things, but he did not learn everything. He did, however, learn to be clever. Another thing that he learned was that Nyame, the sky god, had another great treasure—stories. Nyame kept all of the stories hidden in a big wooden box. Anansi climbed through the clouds to Nyame and asked him for his stories. Nyame laughed and said, “Anansi, my stories are valuable. Many creatures wealthier and more powerful than you have sought them, but no creature has been able to give me what I ask for in return. What makes you think you can earn my stories?” “Sometimes, it is better to be clever than it is to be rich or powerful. Tell me the price for your stories, and I will get it for you.” “Very well, then. My price is that you bring me three fearsome creatures: Mmoboro, the hornets with the terrible sting; Onini, the python that swallows men whole; and Osebo, the leopard with knives for claws and spear points for teeth.” Anansi bowed to Nyame and said, “I will return with your fearsome creatures.” Then, he descended to Earth through the clouds. Anansi carefully devised his plans. Then, he went to his garden and gathered two old, dry gourds and a large banana leaf. Next, he cut holes in the ends of the gourds and filled one of them with water from the river, where he also drenched himself. Soaking wet, he went to the tree where Mmoboro, the hornets, lived. He poured the water from the gourd onto the hornets in their home so that they could barely fly. “Mmoboro,” he called, as he held the banana leaf over his head, as if protecting himself from rain. “Do not be foolish. Get out of this rain!” “But, where can we go?” buzzed the hornets. “Fly into this dry gourd.” After the hornets had flown into the gourd, Anansi plugged the hole with a wad of grass. “Foolish, indeed,” he murmured, as he climbed through the clouds to Nyame. “Nicely done,” said Nyame, “but I will not give you my stories until all of the tasks are completed.” To pay Nyame’s price for all of the stories, Anansi next had to capture Onini, the python. Anansi cut a long, thick bamboo pole and walked into the swampy area where Onini lived. As he walked, he argued with himself, saying, “No, I am sure I am right. He is longer than this branch. But, she says ‘shorter.’ No, definitely longer.” Onini came up to Anansi and said, “Why are you talking like this to yourself?”
to be continued . . .
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ANANSI AND ALL OF THE STORIES Use the story on page 72 to answer the questions. 1.
Put a check in front of the reasons why Anansi is able to capture Mmoboro. _________ Mmoboro trusts Anansi. _________ Anansi is stronger than Mmoboro. _________ Mmoboro does not want to be wet. _________ Anansi has devised a good plan.
2.
Read each sentence. Write T if the sentence is true. Write F if it is false. _________ Only Nyame and Anansi know about the stories. _________ Nyame lives in the sky. _________ Little creatures, like hornets, cannot hurt people. _________ Anansi has confidence.
3.
Which sentence tells what will most likely happen next? A.
Anansi will abandon his mission.
B.
Anansi will capture Onini and take him to Nyame.
C.
Onini will defeat Anansi.
D.
Anansi’s wife will capture Onini.
Write the word from the story that best fits each definition. 4.
wanted to obtain ____________________________________________________________
5.
a small mass of soft material __________________________________________________
6.
frightening ___________________________________________________________________
7.
soaked ______________________________________________________________________
The suffix ish means “having the qualities of,” “tending to,” or “somewhat.” Write a definition for each word. 8.
greenish _____________________________________________________________________
9.
selfish ________________________________________________________________________
10.
sheepish _____________________________________________________________________
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ANANSI AND ALL OF THE STORIES (CONTINUED) Read the story. “I had a quarrel with my wife about you,” Anansi said. “My wife says that you are shorter than this bamboo pole, and I say that a powerful snake like you must be much longer. It has been a terrible argument, and we cannot solve it.” “That is easy,” said Onini. “Put down the pole, and I will lie next to it. Then, you can see that I am longer.” Anansi put the pole on the ground. Onini slithered next to it, but try as he might, he could not stretch longer than the branch. “You are too slippery to straighten to your full length,” said Anansi. “Let me tie your head to one end of the pole, and then you can stretch your tail past the other end.” Onini agreed, and Anansi used a strong vine to tie Onini’s head to one end of the bamboo pole. The python stretched out his tail, which Anansi tied to the other end of the pole. Then, he fastened Onini’s body to the branch and climbed through the clouds, murmuring, “Foolish, indeed.” “Nicely done,” said Nyame, “but I will not give you my stories until all of the tasks are completed.” Anansi went back to Earth and walked to the forest where Osebo, the leopard with claws like knives and teeth like spear points, lived. He found Osebo’s path, and while the leopard was asleep, he dug a deep pit and covered the opening with a thin layer of sticks and leaves. When Osebo prowled the forest path that night, he fell into the hole. Try as he might, he could not jump or climb out. “What are you doing in that hole, Osebo?” Anansi asked the next morning. “I have fallen in this trap, Anansi. Help me to get out.” Anansi bent a strong, green sapling over the hole and tied it to a sturdy tree trunk. Then, he tied another vine to the sapling and lowered the end to Osebo. “Tie that vine to your tail,” Anansi said. “Make sure it is tight.” Osebo tied the vine to his tail. Then, Anansi cut the vine that held the sapling to the tree trunk. The sapling sprung up and yanked Osebo out of the hole. The leopard was so stunned that Anansi could easily bind his feet and mouth with another vine. “Foolish, indeed,” Anansi murmured as he took Osebo to Nyame. “Nicely done,” said Nyame. “The task is completed, and your reward will be paid.” Nyame gave the box of stories to Anansi and said, “With his cleverness, Anansi has done what others could not do with wealth and power. From now on, all of my stories belong to Anansi. Anyone who spins a good story owes a reward to the man-spider.”
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ANANSI AND ALL OF THE STORIES (CONTINUED) Use the story on page 74 to answer the questions. 1.
Write M before statements that describe Mmoboro. Write ON before statements that describe Onini. Write OS before statements that describe Osebo. _________ has powerful legs _________ work together in a colony _________ swallows animals whole _________ disabled by rain
2.
Anansi stories have been told for centuries. Why do you think that they are still popular? ____________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
3.
Summarize the main action of the story. _______________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Write the word from the story that best fits each definition. 4.
roamed while searching for prey _____________________________________________
5.
an argument ________________________________________________________________
6.
to tie or restrain ______________________________________________________________
7.
moved smoothly over a surface _______________________________________________
8.
a young tree _________________________________________________________________
Circle the two words in each row that are related to the word in bold type. 9.
sturdy
flimsy
solid
strong
10.
sapling
plant
spring
tree
11.
story
length
tale
drama
12.
path
lane
trail
forest
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EMILY DICKINSON Read the passage and the poem. Emily Dickinson is one of the most famous American poets of all time. However, she was unknown during her lifetime. Dickinson was a prolific poet who wrote around 1,800 poems. Only 7 poems were published while she was alive. The rest of her poetry was published posthumously. Today, Dickinson is known for her sporadic use of capital letters and punctuation, vivid imagery, slant rhymes, and broken meter. For many years, publishers fixed Dickinson’s poems to make them grammatically correct. Now, her work is usually published the way that she wrote it. She did not give her poems titles. Instead, scholars often arrange Dickinson’s poems in the order in which they think that the poems were written. Then, a number is assigned to each poem based on that order. 254 1
“Hope” is the thing with feathers—
2
That perches in the soul—
3
And sings the tune without the words—
4
And never stops—at all—
5
And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard—
6
And sore must be the storm—
7
That could abash the little Bird
8
That kept so many warm—
9
I’ve heard it in the chillest land—
10
And on the strangest Sea—
11
Yet, never, in Extremity,
12
It asked a crumb—of Me.
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EMILY DICKINSON Use the passage and the poem on page 76 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
3.
To what does Emily Dickinson compare hope? A.
a song
B.
a bird
C.
a strong wind
D.
all of the above
What does abash mean in the poem? A.
to frighten into silence
B.
to freeze or chill
C.
to wound or injure
D.
to unsettle or embarrass
What do you think Dickinson means when she writes that hope is “sweetest—in the Gale”? ___________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
4.
Dickinson is famous for her unusual use of dashes and punctuation, slant rhymes, unusual capitalization, and broken meter. How do these characteristics affect the way you read the poem? _________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Write the word from the passage or the poem that best fits each definition. 5.
irregular _____________________________________________________________________
6
after the death of the author _________________________________________________
7.
a strong wind ________________________________________________________________
8.
producing many works _______________________________________________________
When words sound the same but do not rhyme exactly, they are called slant rhymes. Find two pairs of slant rhymes in the poem and write them in the spaces below. 9.
____________________________________
/
____________________________________
10.
____________________________________
/
____________________________________
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THE BLARNEY STONE Read the passage. The Blarney Stone is located in Blarney Castle, which is in the village of Blarney in southwestern Ireland. The original castle was built from wood in the tenth century. It was rebuilt with stone around 1210. The castle was later demolished, and the present three-story structure was built in 1446 by Cormac Laidhir McCarthy, King of Munster. The famous Blarney Stone is located high in the battlements of the castle. The stone is believed to be half of the Stone of Scone, which originally belonged to Scotland. Scottish kings were crowned over the stone because it supposedly has magical powers. Just how the Blarney Stone may have gotten its magical powers is unclear. One legend says that an old woman cast a spell on the stone to reward a king who had saved her from drowning. Kissing the stone while under the spell gave the king the ability to speak convincingly. Today, we call it the “gift of gab.” The word blarney means “to placate with soft talk or to deceive without offending.” Some say that the definition comes from the many unfulfilled promises of Cormac McCarthy. He promised to give his castle to the Crown but delayed doing so with soft words, which Queen Elizabeth I described as “blarney talk.” Others say that the definition came from a king who once lived in the castle. He had the ability to remain in the middle of an argument without taking sides. Thousands of tourists visit the castle every year. Those who kiss the Blarney Stone do so with great difficulty. They have to lie on their backs and bend backward and down, holding on to iron bars for support.
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THE BLARNEY STONE Use the passage on page 78 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What is the setting for this passage? A.
Scotland
B.
London
C.
Ireland
D.
Wales
What does blarney mean in the passage? A.
understandable conversation
B.
keeping thoughts inside
C.
skillful flattery
D.
nonstop chattering
Which of the following would be the most logical conclusion from reading this passage? A.
Most legends are completely untrue.
B.
The Blarney Stone does not exist.
C.
The word blarney was coined from the legend of the Blarney Stone.
D.
Kissing the Blarney Stone is a custom with no value.
Which of these sentences is false? A.
The present structure of Blarney Castle was built in 1446.
B.
The legend of Cormac McCarthy claims that he avoided surrendering ownership of his castle by speaking with soft words.
C.
The Blarney Stone is located on the ground floor of Blarney Castle.
D.
Kissing the Blarney Stone is not an easy task.
If you could kiss the Blarney Stone, would you? Explain why or why not. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
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BR’ER RABBIT Read the story. Br’er Rabbit was the slyest animal in the woods. Every day he watched Daddy go to work and Momma take a basket of vegetables to sell at the market. Li’l Dotta stayed home to watch the house and tend the garden. It was a wonderful garden full of tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, beans, and sweet green peas. Br’er Rabbit especially loved the peas. However, there was no hole in the fence that he could fit through. One morning after Daddy and Momma left, Br’er Rabbit hopped up to the fence. “Good morning, Li’l Dotta!” he said cheerfully. “Your Momma just said to me, ‘Tell Li’l Dotta to let you in for some sweet peas.’” Li’l Dotta opened the gate. Br’er Rabbit quickly ate a whole row of those tender, young peas and then left before Momma and Daddy came home. When Momma came home, she was angry with that sneaky rabbit. She told Li’l Dotta, “Tomorrow, if Br’er Rabbit comes back, let him in, but do not let him out. When your Daddy gets home, he will take care of that ornery rabbit.” The next day, Daddy and Momma left. Sure enough, Br’er Rabbit hopped up to the gate and told Li’l Dotta that Momma had said to let him in. Li’l Dotta did just that, only this time she locked the gate behind him. When Br’er Rabbit’s belly was so full that it dragged against the ground, he asked Li’l Dotta to let him out. “I’m busy right now, Br’er Rabbit,” she said. The whole day long, Li’l Dotta was busy, and no matter how much Br’er Rabbit pleaded, she told him that he would have to wait. When Daddy came home, he caught Br’er Rabbit, stuffed him in a gunnysack, and hung the gunnysack on a tree. Daddy said, “Br’er Rabbit, I am terribly hungry. I am going to go eat my dinner. When I am finished, I want to talk to you about tricking Li’l Dotta and eating our vegetables.” While Daddy was gone, Br’er Fox walked by the wiggling bag. “Who is in that sack and why?” he asked. Br’er Rabbit thought fast. “It is Br’er Rabbit, and I am about to go on a great vacation. Do you want to come along?” “Why sure!” Br’er Fox answered. But, when Br’er Fox untied the gunnysack to climb in, Br’er Rabbit jumped out and tied Br’er Fox inside. Daddy came back to talk to Br’er Rabbit, but when Daddy opened the gunnysack, Br’er Fox climbed out. Br’er Fox was mad and flustered when he explained what had happened. “That rabbit sure is sneaky!” Daddy said to Li’l Dotta, and they laughed and laughed.
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BR’ER RABBIT Use the story on page 80 to answer the questions. 1.
Put a check in front of the words that describe Br’er Rabbit. _________ trustworthy _________ sneaky _________ truthful _________ clever
2.
Read each sentence. Write F if the sentence states a fact. Write O if it states an opinion. _________ Peas are the best vegetable. _________ Rabbits can talk only in stories. _________ Br’er Rabbit was smarter than Li’l Dotta. _________ Everyone should have a vegetable garden.
3.
Sequence the sentences in chronological order. _________ Br’er Rabbit ate an entire row of peas. _________ Daddy was surprised to find Br’er Fox in the gunnysack. _________ Li’l Dotta would not unlock the gate. _________ Br’er Rabbit tricked Br’er Fox.
Write the word from the story that best fits each definition. 4.
most cunning ________________________________________________________________
5.
implored ____________________________________________________________________
6.
a sack made of burlap _______________________________________________________
7.
confused ____________________________________________________________________
The suffix ster means “a person who is, does, or creates.” Write the meaning of each word. 8.
trickster ______________________________________________________________________
9.
youngster ____________________________________________________________________
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BOOK REVIEW: BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA Read the book review.
Bridge to Terabithia, a novel by Katherine Patterson, is a classic. Part of its popularity comes from the story of friendship that it tells. Jess Aarons is a 10-year-old boy from a poor farm family in rural Virginia. He has no close friends, but he has two talents, drawing and running. Since he has been teased about his art, he keeps that private. Running is different. All summer before fifth grade, he practices running in the cow pasture. If he can win the fifth-grade recess race, he will also win the respect of the kids at school. His life changes when a family from the city moves into the farm next to theirs. The daughter, Leslie Burke, is the same age as Jess. “I thought we might as well be friends,” she says, the first time they meet. “There’s no one else close by.” At first, Jess is unsure whether or not he could be friends with this tomboy. After school starts, Leslie is rejected by the other fifth graders, and Jess sides with her. At recess, Leslie goes with Jess to the boys’ races. Not only does she enter the fifth-grade race, she beats Jess and every other boy. Jess has a new respect for Leslie. After school, Leslie and Jess explore the woods close to their homes. They find a secluded place next to a dry streambed. They imagine that it is a magical room where shafts of sunlight trickle through a tall ceiling of branches. Together, they use their imaginations to build the kingdom of Terabithia, where Leslie is queen and Jess is king. Jess is no longer lonely. He has a friend who understands him, talks with him about his deepest concerns, encourages him to develop his talent, and excites his imagination. Together, they help each other deal with the problems they face outside of Terabithia. When tragedy strikes, all that Jess learned through his friendship with Leslie is tested. In the end, Jess uses the power he gained from that friendship to build relationships with other people. He learns that friendship is the gift of yourself to others.
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BOOK REVIEW: BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA Use the book review on page 82 to answer the questions. 1.
Sequence the sentences in chronological order. _________ Jess and Leslie explore the woods. _________ Jess practices running. _________ Jess and Leslie create an imaginary kingdom. _________ Leslie beats all of the boys in the fifth-grade recess race.
2.
Read each sentence. Write F if the sentence states a fact. Write O if it states an opinion. _________ Kids always respect the fastest runner. _________ Everyone should have an imaginary kingdom. _________ Friends can often help us deal with our problems. _________ Boys and girls can be friends.
3.
Why does Jess accept Leslie as his close friend? ________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
4.
5.
What does secluded mean in the story? A.
full of mystery
B.
hidden from view
C.
dangerous and exciting
D.
boring and ordinary
Think of a book that you have read. On a separate sheet of paper, write a review of that book. Include information about the main characters, the plot, and reasons why you did or did not like the book.
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PHILO’S GREAT VISION Read the passage. In 1906, a remarkable scientist was born in a simple log cabin in Utah. His name was Philo Taylor Farnsworth, and his invention changed the world forever. As a young boy, Philo liked to study the pages of a Sears catalog. He looked in awe at the pictures of radios, electric motors, and electric train sets. Some families in town had these wonders, but his family did not because they did not have electricity. Six-year-old Philo told his family that he was going to be an inventor. His heroes were Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell. Going barefoot and wearing bib overalls, Philo went through the neighborhood gathering broken tools, wheel spokes, strands of loose wire, pieces of wood, and other discarded items. Then, he set to work creating his own machines. He imagined he was making electric machines. None of them worked. When Philo was 12, his family moved to a farm in Idaho. Their new home had electricity from a generator on the property. Philo was excited to have electricity for the first time. He loved to tinker and experiment with the generator. Sometimes, his tinkering broke the generator. The repairman came often. Philo watched everything the repairman did. Before long, young Philo could fix the generator when it broke. His father was amazed by his son’s ability to repair the machine. Philo found a stack of science magazines in the attic of their house. He studied them as often as he could. One idea in a magazine excited his imagination more than anything else. It was a prediction that someday motion pictures with sound would be sent over the airwaves the way that sound was sent to radios. The science writers called it television. Philo studied every book he could get on electricity, radios, broadcasting, and the idea of television. He decided that the inventors trying to create a working television were going about it the wrong way. They used spinning mirrors or discs to capture the light of a scene. Motion picture cameras and sound recording machines started that way. Then, the inventors changed the mechanical image to an electric signal that could go through wires or the air. Philo said that mechanical devices could never work fast enough for television. Philo T. Farnsworth knew that electrons were the key to making television work. Electrons are extremely small and fast. A stream of electrons can be bent into patterns. Those patterns can be sent through wires or through the air. Then, a receiver can reassemble the picture from the pattern. Philo decided that the electrons would need to capture 20 or 30 pictures every second. He did not know how to harness electrons to make pictures. He knew he could make television work if he could figure that out.
to be continued . . .
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PHILO’S GREAT VISION Use the passage on page 84 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
Which sentence best describes Philo Farnsworth? A.
He was creative but unmotivated.
B.
He was curious but not intelligent.
C.
He was curious, creative, and intelligent.
D.
He was not interested in science.
Write three things that helped Philo Farnsworth become an inventor. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
3.
What do you think will happen next? __________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Write the word from the passage that best fits each definition. 4.
to put back together _________________________________________________________
5.
a feeling of respect and amazement __________________________________________
6.
thrown away, no longer used _________________________________________________
7.
a machine that produces electricity __________________________________________
8.
to experiment with machine parts ____________________________________________
The prefix tele means “operating from a distance” or “in, of, or by television.” Match each word with the prefix tele to its meaning. 9.
_________ seeing over distance
A.
telecast
10.
_________ television broadcast
B.
teleconference
11.
_________ conference over distance
C.
telephone
12.
_________ hearing sound over distance
D.
television
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PHILO’S GREAT VISION (CONTINUED) Read the passage. Fourteen-year-old Philo was working in the field on a beautiful spring day. He was guiding a three-horse team pulling a harrow to cut rows across a field. The work was tedious and potentially dangerous. It required concentration. Part of Philo’s mind, however, was also working on his inventions. He paused as he turned at the end of the field and looked back at the perfectly parallel rows in the dirt. Suddenly, an idea flashed in his mind. If a plot of earth could be divided into a series of lines, why not a picture? The lines could be so small that the human eye would see the picture and not the lines. The electrons would create the rows quickly so that the images in the pictures would appear to be moving in steady motion. His heart raced with excitement. He knew that he had the answer he had been searching for. He knew how to make television work. Philo worked on his idea in the months that he was waiting to start high school. He was excited to get into a real science class. That fall, he talked his way into a senior chemistry class even though he was only a freshman. He shared his television ideas with his teacher after school one day. It took a few afternoons to explain everything to his astonished teacher. His teacher finally admitted that Philo’s ideas might work. When Philo was 19 years old, he found investors to pay for his research. A year later, in 1927, he applied for patents to protect his ideas. One year after that, he supervised the first successful electronic television transmission. Television was born, and Philo was the father. Philo worked for years to refine his invention. After World War II, the government assigned airwaves for television. In 1946, there were 7,000 television sets in the United States. By 1950, there were 7,000,000. The boom had begun. Philo turned his attention to other projects, but nothing topped the invention of television. In 1969, Philo watched on his television as an astronaut walked on the moon. He was astonished to think that his idea had gone all of the way from a farm field in Idaho to the surface of the moon. Philo Farnsworth contracted an illness and died in 1971. He was one of the great inventors and thinkers of the twentieth century—and one man who changed the world.
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PHILO’S GREAT VISION (CONTINUED) Use the passage on page 86 to answer the questions. 1.
Why do you think Philo Farnsworth was a successful inventor at a young age? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
2.
3.
Which statement best describes how the plot of the story moves? A.
from problem to solution
B.
from conflict to peace
C.
from danger to safety
D.
from dilemma to decision
Which of the following events happened first? A.
Philo Farnsworth applied for patents to protect his ideas.
B.
Philo talked to his chemistry teacher about his ideas.
C.
Philo Farnsworth watched on his TV as an astronaut walked on the moon.
D.
Philo Farnsworth devised an idea to make television work.
Write the word from the passage that best fits each definition. 4.
a device to break up the ground _____________________________________________
5.
a broadcast signal ___________________________________________________________
6.
boringly slow or repetitious ___________________________________________________
7.
government protection for ideas _____________________________________________
8.
a sudden, rapid growth ______________________________________________________
The suffix ment means “result or action.” Match each word with the suffix ment to its meaning. 9.
_________ the action of testing
A.
amusement
10.
_________ the result of judging
B.
judgment
11.
_________ the state of feeling excited
C.
experiment
12.
_________ the state of being amused
D.
excitement
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THE BIGGER PICTURE Read the passage. One thing that is necessary to make television work is the human brain. There are two principles of the brain that relate to the way that television works. The first principle is that if a picture is divided into patterns of small dots, the brain will reassemble those dots into a meaningful image. Machines, like computers, have an extremely difficult time doing this, but the human brain does it naturally. Photos printed in books, newspapers, and magazines are also printed as patterns of small dots. A second amazing principle of how the brain works is that if an action scene is divided into a series of still pictures and those pictures are shown rapidly in succession, the brain will see those still pictures as one moving picture. However, the minimum speed is 15 pictures per second. If fewer than 15 pictures per second are shown, the scene will seem jerky. Television shows 30 pictures per second. The human brain is critical in making meaning from patterns. This happens in other ways besides television. When you hear a story, your ears are receiving sound waves of different frequencies. Your brain makes meaning out of sound waves that it recognizes as words. Then, it assembles the words into meaning in a story. Printed stories are similar to this. Printed words are just marks on paper. It takes someone to read those marks and bring the story to life. Only then, in the mind of the reader, does it become a story. Each person is like a television system. Like television cameras, people focus their attention and take in signals. Then, like television sets, they assemble those signals into patterns that make meaning in their brains. These meanings are the stories that make up each person’s unique experiences and perspectives. For example, imagine that four people are asked to close their eyes. Then, an elephant is brought before the group. Each person is asked to guess what is standing in front of them. The first person feels only the elephant’s trunk. “It is a large snake,” he says. The second person touches the elephant’s side. “No,” she says. “It is a wall.” The third person feels the elephant’s ear. He says, “I think it is a fan.” The fourth person touches the elephant’s smooth, pointed tusk and says, “Surely, this is a spear.” The people all spoke truthfully about their perceptions, yet each person’s perceptions were wrong because they were incomplete. We are like those four people. Each of us takes in part of the information around us to become part of our own story. Only when we share our stories with each other do we begin to understand the bigger picture of life.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE Use the passage on page 88 to answer the questions. 1.
Write B next to statements that are true only of the brain. Write T next to statements that are true only of television. Write BT next to statements that are true of both. _________ turns patterns of signals into meaning _________ can recognize patterns of pixels as a picture _________ can receive signals _________ can be replaced without much difficulty
2.
3.
What is the main idea of the story? A.
Similarities exist in how television and the human brain works.
B.
The human brain can make assumptions.
C.
It took a human brain to invent television.
D.
Printed words are just marks on paper.
Which sentence is true? A.
The human brain processes written words more efficiently than moving images.
B.
The human brain is never wrong in how it perceives things.
C.
The human brain requires sight to function well.
D.
The human brain is critical in making meaning from patterns.
Write the word from the passage that best fits each definition. 4.
extremely important __________________________________________________________
5.
information taken in through the senses _______________________________________
6.
ordered repetitions ___________________________________________________________
7.
one after another ____________________________________________________________
Write M before phrases that are metaphors. Write S before phrases that are similes. 8.
_________ An elephant is like a wall.
9.
_________ An elephant is a fan.
10.
_________ The elephant is a snake.
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KEEPING A JOURNAL Read the passage. Each of us has one main story, and that story is the story of our life. That one big story is made up of many little stories. Those little stories are what happens to us day by day and how we respond to those events. Many people record their stories in a journal. Whether or not you aspire to a career in writing, keeping a journal can be a very powerful tool in your life. There are many ways that you can use journaling to help you. One way to use journaling is to record happy times and good things that happen to you. When you feel sad or upset, reading what you wrote at happier times can lift your spirits. You can also use writing in a journal to help you solve problems. Sometimes, we talk about our problems with our friends or family. Other times, we need to work through our problems by ourselves, and writing about them is a good way to do that. Your journal is like a loyal friend because it will not tell your secrets. Often, problems seem simpler when they are written down on paper and they stop circling in your mind. Also, when you write, you open yourself to inspiration on how to deal with issues. Writing in a journal may help you discover things about yourself, your thoughts, and your feelings. You will often surprise yourself once you start writing. Write about any subject that interests you. Your writing will be a record of your exploration and discovery, and it can help open exciting ideas that would not come to you otherwise. Journaling can also clarify your goals and organize your activities. Writing your goals and plans makes them seem more real. You can refer back to them and write about the progress that you are making to achieve them. When you keep a journal, write ideas as soon as they come, even in the middle of the night. If you do not, the ideas may slip away and be gone forever. Then, transfer your idea notes to your journal. Finally, when you write in a journal, you are creating a link to the future. Think of how we know about the personal lives of the people who lived before our time. We know what these people did, ate, saw, wore, and believed because they wrote about it. The events of your day may seem trivial to you, but they might hold great insight for your descendants. Imagine your great-great-great-grandchild reading your journal more than 100 years from now and enjoying what you wrote. Your journal can be a written legacy. Some people write in their journals every day, and that is great. But, if you cannot write every day, write often. Make writing in your journal a habit. Years from now, you will probably be glad that you did!
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KEEPING A JOURNAL Use the passage on page 90 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
3.
What is the most likely reason the author wrote this story? A.
to entertain readers with jokes
B.
to motivate readers to keep a journal
C.
to present facts without embellishment
D.
to sell products
In which sentence does record have the same meaning as in paragraph 2? A.
It was the coldest day on record.
B.
Do not forget to record your progress as you go.
C.
She found an old phonograph and a record in the attic.
D.
He held the school record for the 100-meter dash.
How is a journal like a loyal friend? ____________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Write the word from the passage that best fits each definition. 4.
an established pattern of behavior ____________________________________________
5.
life’s work ____________________________________________________________________
6.
to strive toward a goal ________________________________________________________
The prefix trans means “across or beyond.” Match each word with the prefix trans to its meaning. 7.
_________ to uproot and replant
A.
transfer
8.
_________ to write out fully, from notes
B.
transmit
9.
_________ to change from one person to another
C.
transplant
10.
_________ to send a signal
D.
transport
11.
_________ to carry an object from one place to another
E.
transcribe
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THE MUSES Read the passage. Have you ever wondered where authors and artists get their ideas? If you had lived in ancient Greece, you probably would have believed in the muses, or the creative spirits who brought inspiration to poets, philosophers, musicians, dancers, and other artists. The words music, museum, and amusement come from the word muse. According to mythology, Zeus was the father of the gods of Olympus. Zeus had children whose mother was Mnemosyne (NIM-ah-sin-ee), the Titaness of memory. The nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne are called the Muses. Each muse is said to preside over a specific area of the arts and sciences. Calliope is the oldest and most eloquent of the muses. She is the patron of epic poetry. Often, she is drawn holding a stylus and wax tablets. Clio is the muse of historical poetry. Often, Clio is shown carrying a parchment scroll or a set of tablets. Erato, the muse of lyric and love poetry, is typically drawn playing a lyre, a stringed instrument that resembles a harp. Euterpe (You-TER-pee), the muse of music, joy, and pleasure, is often shown playing a double flute. Her name means “rejoicing well” or “delight.” Melpomene (Mel-POM-en-ee), the fifth of the nine muses, is the patron of tragedy. Often, she is shown carrying a tragic mask and wearing the cothurnus, or the boots usually worn by tragic actors. Polyhymnia (Pol-ee-HIM-nee-ah) is the muse of sacred song and dance. She is usually depicted as a pensive woman. Terpsichore (Terp-SICK-er-ee), the muse of dance and choral song, is usually represented seated and holding a lyre. Thalia (Tha-LIE-ah) is the muse of comedy and pastoral poetry. She is often shown carrying a shepherd’s crook and a comic mask. Urania, the ninth and final muse, is the patron of astronomy. She is usually shown with a globe in her left hand. Urania keeps her eyes lifted toward the sky and wears a cloak embroidered with stars. Creative people use different methods to encourage ideas, or, as many say, to entice their muse to help them. Muses are not interested in people who are not actively working on a project. If you are a writer, get writing—even if it is a struggle at first. After enough effort, you will find that your ideas come more easily. Record your experiences in your journal and look for the meanings in them. Be a careful observer of everything around you. Read every day, and read different genres. When you get an idea, use it right away. Then, more ideas will come. Let your mind work on getting ideas while you are doing other things, like weeding a flowerbed, doing the dishes, riding a bicycle, or even playing video games. Create playful daydreams around your project. If you do this at night when you go to bed, often your mind will search for new ideas as you sleep. Ultimately, you cannot force an idea, and you cannot control creativity. All you can do is go through your creative process and be open and ready when the ideas come.
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THE MUSES Use the passage on page 92 to answer the questions. 1.
How can you encourage ideas to come? Write five suggestions from the passage. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
2.
The author talks about the process of being creative. What helps you be creative? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
3.
Which word means “a stringed instrument that resembles a harp”? A.
stylus
B.
cothurnus
C.
pastoral
D.
lyre
Write the word from the passage that best fits each definition. 4.
to lure or attract _____________________________________________________________
5.
to be in a position of authority ________________________________________________
6.
fluent in speech ______________________________________________________________
7.
thoughtful ___________________________________________________________________
8.
categories of literature _______________________________________________________
Circle the two words in each row that are related to the word in bold type. 9. 10.
wispy
filmy
thin
heavy
offerings
lies
gifts
presents
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THE CANOE TRIP by Anonymous Read the poem. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
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Early morning on the river, fog and mist along the banks. Sun behind the mountains, and Dad sitting opposite me. Planning for months, and the big day arrives. Plenty of sunshine, and a summer of fun. River is restless, and I am too. Anxious, a 12-year-old girl, canoeing the rapids. My hero near me, to guide and help. Experienced and strong, he teaches me. Deep in places and swift in others, river sometimes is a bully. Cautious and alert, I know I can do this. Nature sings, as I glide along the water. Once a duck yelled, like a wounded dog. Day not forgotten, and never will be. Memories carry me, like a canoe on the river.
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THE CANOE TRIP Use the poem on page 94 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
What is the main idea of “The Canoe Trip”? A.
Planning is crucial for a 12-year-old girl on the river.
B.
Good memories guide and strengthen us in our lives.
C.
Nature calls a young girl to the river.
D.
The river is covered in mist and fog in the summertime.
Which word is an antonym for anxious? A.
eager
B.
impatient
C.
patient
D.
excited
Who is the author’s hero? A.
the river
B.
her dad
C.
nature
D.
her canoe
Which sentence is an important idea in the final stanza? A.
The author hears a duck yell as she canoes down the river.
B.
The author’s dad is her hero.
C.
The author will always remember her trip.
D.
The sun is shining on the day of the canoe trip.
What writing technique is used in the phrase “Once a duck yelled, / like a wounded dog”? A.
simile
B.
pun
C.
paradox
D.
metaphor
What writing technique is used in the phrase “Deep in places and swift in others, / river sometimes is a bully”? A.
paradox
B.
personification
C.
irony
D.
foreshadowing
Which sentence is false? A.
The author is restless.
B.
The sun is shining.
C.
It is 3 o’clock in the afternoon.
D.
The author’s dad is her hero.
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TELLING YOUR STORIES Read the passage. A good storyteller may tell you that there is nothing quite like the thrill of performing before an audience. A storyteller may enjoy hearing the audience laugh at funny stories, seeing them nervous during scary stories, or seeing them shed a tear during sentimental stories. People have been telling stories for thousands of years. Stories are an important way to pass on information and to preserve traditions and history. Stories are also told for fun. Everybody likes a good story, and you can find many opportunities to tell stories. Sometimes, you can create a story out of your homework assignment and present it in front of your class or at a talent assembly. Libraries often hold festivals for storytelling. If you babysit, telling a good story can calm kids at bedtime. Around the campfire is a wonderful place to tell stories. And, have you ever been stuck in traffic or in the car on a long trip? Stories are a great way to help pass the time. Some people tell stories professionally, and they actually get paid for it! After you have made up your mind to become a storyteller, you need to come up with some stories. At first, you may find that it is easier to retell a famous story than to write a story of your own. Many people retell famous stories. The first step is to find stories that you enjoy. If you like them, you can transfer your enthusiasm to your audience. Second, find stories that are appropriate for the audience or the event. A campfire story may not be a good bedtime story. Third, know how you want your audience to react, whether you want them to laugh, be entertained, or be motivated to take action. Once you have found a story that you like, become part of the story. Let the story become part of you. Usually, this means that you make changes to the basic story. When you do this, you are creating an adaptation. You are making the story your own. Sometimes, it is fun to take a familiar story, like a folktale or a legend, and change it to surprise your audience. Most people like stories that have twists and surprises.
to be continued . . .
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TELLING YOUR STORIES Use the passage on page 96 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
3.
What is the most the likely conclusion that you can make about storytelling? A.
Storytelling is only for adults.
B.
Storytelling can only be done on a stage.
C.
Storytelling is a popular way of passing down information.
D.
Storytelling is a worthless skill to develop.
What is the main idea of the passage? A.
Librarians make good storytellers.
B.
Storytelling started in Africa.
C.
Some kids can make people laugh.
D.
Storytelling can be a fun experience for anyone.
Write a summary about opportunities for storytelling. ___________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Write the word from the passage that best fits each definition. 4.
a changed version ___________________________________________________________
5.
feeling nostalgic or sad ______________________________________________________
6.
to maintain or keep alive _____________________________________________________
The prefix audi relates to “hearing.” Match each word with the prefix audi to its meaning. 7.
_________ a place where an audience gathers
A.
audio
8.
_________ loud enough to be heard
B.
auditorium
9.
_________ people who hear and see a performance
C.
audible
_________ sound from a television or radio
D.
audience
10.
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TELLING YOUR STORIES (CONTINUED) Read the passage. When you retell a well-known story, sometimes it is fun to change a few of the story’s characters. For example, you might make a wolf sympathetic instead of mean. You can also tell the story from a different point of view. For example, you could tell the story of Snow White from the point of view of the queen or the prince. It can also be fun to put a familiar story in a different setting. The Cinderella story has Egyptian, Persian, Chinese, and Korean versions. When you write your script, look for words and phrases that can be repeated. Repeated words and phrases are very effective in stories told out loud. They are also a good way to get your audience involved. After a couple of times, you give the beginning of the repeated phrase and prompt the audience to say the rest of the phrase in unison. That is a form of call and response. Repeated words and phrases also give rhythm to your story, and rhythm helps carry your audience with you. Visual aids add spice to your storytelling. Acting out parts of the story can add excitement to your delivery. Try using costumes and makeup or even multiple costumes that you change as you tell the story. Try using a prop, like a different hat for different characters. Puppets are also good devices to catch people’s interest. Music and sound effects can add mood or humor to your story. Music can also help you remember what comes next. For most people, it is easier to memorize a song with music than a poem without music. After you have developed your stories and your visual and sound aids, the next big step is to practice. Practice in front of a mirror. Practice in front of your pet. Practice in front of your family. Practice for friends who will encourage you. Taping your practice performance with a video camera helps tremendously. When you watch the tape, you will see which parts work best and which parts need improvement. Then comes the big moment—your performance. Imagine your excitement as you step onto the stage and start telling your story. Imagine the great satisfaction of the rousing applause of an audience who loved what you did.
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TELLING YOUR STORIES (CONTINUED) Use the passage on page 98 to answer the questions. 1.
Read each sentence. Write F if the sentence states a fact. Write O if it states an opinion. _________ Storytelling is not as important as other arts. _________ Storytelling is easiest with a small audience. _________ Some stories have many versions. _________ Stories are better if they are told with props.
2.
Sequence the steps to becoming a successful storyteller in the order that they are explained. _________ Consider using costumes and makeup as visual aids. _________ Look for words and phrases that can be repeated. _________ Step onto the stage and start telling your story. _________ Practice many times.
Write the word from the passage that best fits each definition. 3.
exciting, spurring to action ___________________________________________________
4.
something used for a purpose, like a tool ______________________________________
5.
a regular beat _______________________________________________________________
6.
together _____________________________________________________________________
7.
to have compassion for _______________________________________________________
The word roots vid and vis mean “to see.” Match each word with the word root vid or vis to its meaning. 8.
_________ cannot be seen
A.
invisible
9.
_________ the picture part of a television signal
B.
visage
_________ how something appears
C.
video
10.
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THE FIRST LADY OF SONG Read the passage. When 16-year-old Ella Fitzgerald stepped onto the stage to perform at Harlem’s Apollo Theater in 1934, she had no idea that her life was about to change. Her childhood had been rough. Fitzgerald had been placed in a boarding school after both of her parents died. The faculty at the school mistreated her, so she ran away. Homeless and orphaned, she was struggling to survive on the streets of New York City. Then, she won a contest to perform during an amateur night at the Apollo. She had originally planned to dance, but at the last second, she decided to sing her mother’s favorite song instead. Her performance earned her recognition from several famous musicians. She went on to become a renowned jazz singer whose vibrant voice captivated listeners. Fitzgerald’s musical career spanned six decades. She released more than 200 albums that sold more than 40 million copies and won 13 Grammy Awards. In 1987, United States President Ronald Reagan awarded her the National Medal of Arts. France followed suit with its prestigious Commander of Arts and Letters award. Fitzgerald collaborated with some of the greatest American singers of the twentieth century, including Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, and Dizzy Gillespie. Her talent and charisma appealed to a wide range of listeners around the world. The worldwide admiration of her helped make jazz a more popular genre. Until the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, the United States denied African American citizens the same treatment that white citizens received. Fitzgerald and her band refused to perform at places where discrimination was practiced. They also decided not to perform unless they were paid the same amount as white singers and musicians. Her fight for equality received support from many celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe. Fitzgerald never took her good fortune for granted. She gave money to charities and organizations that helped take care of disadvantaged children. For her many civic contributions, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992. That is one of the highest honors available to civilians. In 1991, she gave her final performance in New York’s Carnegie Hall. Although Ella Fitzgerald died in 1996, the “First Lady of Song” continues to live in the hearts and ears of music lovers worldwide.
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THE FIRST LADY OF SONG Use the passage on page 100 to answer the questions. 1.
Sequence the sentences in chronological order. _________ Fitzgerald won a contest to perform during an amateur night at the Apollo Theater in New York City. _________ Fitzgerald was orphaned and placed in a boarding school. _________ Fitzgerald received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. _________ Fitzgerald gave her final performance. _________ Fitzgerald received the Commander of Arts and Letters award.
2.
3.
How did Fitzgerald help make jazz a more popular musical genre? A.
She advertised on television, which helped her music become more popular.
B.
Fitzgerald’s talent and charisma appealed to listeners around the world.
C.
She often sang duets with unknown musicians so that they could also become famous.
D.
none of the above
Why do you think Ella Fitzgerald is called the “First Lady of Song”? ______________ ______________________________________________________________________________
4.
Which word is a synonym for renowned? A.
wealthy
B.
talented
C.
famous
D.
underappreciated
Write the word from the passage that best fits each definition. 5.
charm or personality _________________________________________________________
6.
not a professional ____________________________________________________________
7.
full of energy and life _________________________________________________________
8.
widely acclaimed ___________________________________________________________
9.
worked jointly or in unison ____________________________________________________
10.
commanding position in people’s minds _______________________________________
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FIRESIDE CHATS Read the passage. On October 29, 1929, the United States stock market crashed. In the days that followed, banks and businesses closed, the number of unemployed workers rose to 15 million, and many people lost their savings. As the economic crisis wore on, it became known as the Great Depression. It left many people feeling anxious and uncertain about the future. Within days of his inauguration in 1933, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) began taking steps to stabilize the banking system, support the economy, and provide jobs for unemployed workers. To keep the American public informed about the changes that were underway, he gave a series of radio addresses called fireside chats. FDR used these broadcasts to speak about a number of issues. The first of Roosevelt’s fireside chats was delivered on Sunday, March 12, 1933. His goal in this message was to explain the bank crisis in the United States. He explained to Americans why banks had run out of money. Roosevelt assured people that their money was safe and that they could get their money when they really needed it. He said that most of the banks would be open the next day and that others would be open again very soon. The purpose of his message was to restore the American people’s confidence in their banking system. Roosevelt’s chats to America were popular with the people. Many looked forward to hearing what FDR had to say. The White House did not always tell the public whether a particular radio address was to be regarded as a fireside chat. As a result, there is some question about the exact number of these speeches. Twenty-eight such addresses were definitively identified, and two other radio addresses could have also been chats. Roosevelt delivered his messages throughout much of the time that he was president. He delivered his final fireside chat on June 12, 1944. The focus was opening a fifth war-loan drive. He complimented the American people for supporting the war effort and purchasing more than $32 billion in war bonds. He encouraged them to buy more as the war effort continued to cost money every day, money that he confidently predicted would lead to final victory.
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FIRESIDE CHATS Use the passage on page 102 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What is the most likely reason why Roosevelt delivered his fireside chats? A.
Roosevelt wanted to enhance his political image.
B.
Roosevelt wanted to keep the American public informed.
C.
Roosevelt wanted to help improve the Democratic cause in Congress.
D.
Roosevelt wanted to fulfill a promise that he had made to the public when he was running for president.
How many definitively identified fireside chats did Roosevelt deliver to the American public? A.
4
B.
12
C.
24
D.
28
What topic did Roosevelt choose for his final fireside chat? A.
war bonds
B.
the national debt
C.
the economy
D.
health care for all Americans
During which time frame did Roosevelt deliver his messages? A.
1886–1891
B.
1917–1924
C.
1929–1939
D.
1933–1944
Why do you think that Roosevelt chose this forum for his addresses to the American people? ___________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Circle the words in each row that are synonyms. 6.
crisis
holiday
emergency
7.
purpose
reason
accident
8.
discouraged
praised
complimented
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SUE HENDRICKSON Read the passage. On August 12, 1990, Sue Hendrickson made an amazing discovery on a remote cliff in South Dakota. Hendrickson, a self-trained paleontologist, marine archaeologist, and explorer, discovered the fossilized remains of an enormous Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex). Hendrickson noticed a few pieces of bone on the ground as she was walking around the base of the cliff. She looked up and saw three large bones from a dinosaur’s spine located about eight feet above her head. After taking a closer look at the bones, Hendrickson decided that they must have belonged to a huge T. rex. Her colleagues confirmed her identification of the bones when Hendrickson brought them to the site. They named the dinosaur “Sue” in honor of the woman who discovered her. The first T. rex skeleton was discovered in 1900. Since then, only seven skeletons have been discovered that are at least half complete. Of these seven skeletons, Sue is the largest, best preserved, and most complete specimen. Though she died around 67 million years ago, scientists are still able to see where Sue’s tendons, muscles, and other soft tissues attached to her bones. Today, Sue is on display at The Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois. Sue’s skeleton is only one of Hendrickson’s exciting discoveries. While working in Peru, Hendrickson and a team of fossil hunters uncovered the fossilized remains of enormous whales. In 1992, Hendrickson joined a diving team headed by Franck Goddio, a well-known underwater archaeologist. She helped excavate a 400-year-old sunken ship full of gold and other treasures. Later, Hendrickson helped Goddio uncover Cleopatra’s royal quarters in Alexandria, Egypt. An earthquake in the fourth century caused the famous Egyptian queen’s summer home to sink beneath the sea. Hendrickson helped recover precious artifacts that had not been seen for over a millennium.
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SUE HENDRICKSON Use the passage on page 104 to answer the questions. 1.
Why was Sue Hendrickson’s discovery of a fossilized Tyrannosaurus rex an important archaeological find? _______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
2.
3.
What does paleontologist mean in the passage? A.
A scientist who studies the creation and formation of rocks
B.
A scientist who studies the fossilized remains of plants and animals
C.
A scientist who explores underwater shipwrecks
D.
A treasure hunter who searches for gold in underwater shipwrecks
Explain the difference between a paleontologist and an archaeologist. Use the Internet, a dictionary, or an encyclopedia if you need help. ___________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
4.
Sequence the sentences in chronological order. _________ Cleopatra’s royal quarters sank beneath the sea. _________ Sue Hendrickson discovered the remains of an enormous Tyrannosaurus rex. _________ Hendrickson worked with a team of divers to excavate a sunken ship _________ Hendrickson helped Franck Goddio uncover Cleopatra’s royal quarters. _________ The first Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton was discovered.
Write the word from the passage that best fits each definition. 5.
to dig or search ______________________________________________________________
6.
far away, distant _____________________________________________________________
7.
a sample ____________________________________________________________________
8.
coworkers ___________________________________________________________________
9.
a period of 1,000 years _______________________________________________________
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ROBERT FROST Read the passage and the poem. American poet Robert Frost wrote more than 25 volumes of poetry during his career. He won four Pulitzer Prizes and became one of the most beloved poets of the twentieth century. In addition to writing, Frost taught, lectured, and acted as an unofficial poet laureate of the United States. Much of Frost’s work is described as pastoral. The poetry describes the life and landscapes of rural New England, where Frost lived for much of his life. Going for Water 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
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THE WELL was dry beside the door, And so we went with pail and can Across the fields behind the house To seek the brook if still it ran; Not loth to have excuse to go, Because the autumn eve was fair (Though chill), because the fields were ours, And by the brook our woods were there. We ran as if to meet the moon That slowly dawned behind the trees, The barren boughs without the leaves, Without the birds, without the breeze. But once within the wood, we paused Like gnomes that hid us from the moon, Ready to run to hiding new With laughter when she found us soon. Each laid on other a staying hand To listen ere we dared to look, And in the hush we joined to make We heard, we knew we heard the brook. A note as from a single place, A slender tinkling fall that made Now drops that floated on the pool Like pearls, and now a silver blade.
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ROBERT FROST Use the passage and the poem on page 106 to answer the questions. 1.
Robert Frost is often described as a pastoral poet. What does pastoral mean, and what examples can you find in “Going for Water” that support this description? __________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
2.
Judging from the poem’s tone, how do you think the characters feel about having to fetch water from a nearby brook? ___________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
3.
In line 16, the narrator writes, “With laughter when she found us soon.” What is the word “she” referring to? __________________________________________________
4.
5.
To what does the narrator compare himself and his companion? A.
the leafless trees
B.
gnomes
C.
a running brook
D.
a full moon
What do you think happened when the characters reached the brook? Write four more lines to tell your ending. _____________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
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TOTEM POLES Read the passage. The first explorers who saw totem poles called them “monstrous figures.” Missionaries thought that the American Indians worshipped the totem poles, and they encouraged their destruction. But, the missionaries were wrong. Even today, when people refer to the “low man on the totem pole,” they do not realize that the largest figure was usually on the bottom and was the most important. The origin of the first totem pole is uncertain. It is known that totem poles told stories about rich and important American Indian families. An artist carved the pole to represent a family’s traits and personal strengths and even to have hidden meanings. Poles were carved from cedar with handmade tools. The chisel used for carving was made from an animal horn. The adze, which was like an ax, had a hard stone blade. Once finished carving, the artist used animal-hair brushes to paint the poles. Some poles stood as high as 60 feet. American Indians celebrated important life events—such as births or marriages—with huge feasts called potlatches. One of the highlights of the party was the raising of a new totem pole. As trade expanded along the Northwest Coast, more American Indian families had totem poles. However, in 1884 the Canadian government outlawed the potlatch. Not long after, the United States followed suit. As children grew up and left the tribe, the art of carving totem poles began to die out. Many years later, totem poles that had been bought or stolen from American Indian villages began showing up in museums. People started to realize the significance of totem poles, and the art of carving them was resurrected. Old poles were restored, and new poles were created. Today, the craft is alive and well again, and totem poles can be seen around the Northwest United States and Canada.
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TOTEM POLES Use the passage on page 108 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Which sentence best explains why totem poles were originally created? A.
They could scare away enemy tribes.
B.
They were used as centerpieces in some religions.
C.
They told of the accomplishments of the more important families.
D.
They were carved as a mystery to keep European explorers guessing.
What is the name of an ax-like tool used to carve totem poles? A.
chisel
B.
maul
C.
hammer
D.
adze
Which sentence best explains why the art of carving totem poles faded during the 1800s? A.
Many of the children left their tribes, and the art began to die out.
B.
The Canadian and United States governments outlawed potlaches.
C.
There were no more stories to tell when the settlers took possession of the land.
D.
both A and B
What is the setting for this passage? A.
the Pacific Northwest of the United States and Canada
B.
Southern California
C.
Northern Alaska and Russia
D.
The desert Southwest of the United States
What factors do you think were responsible for the revival of the art of carving totem poles during the 1960s and 1970s? ______________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
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SCARECROW Read the story. He hung there, only half the straw man he used to be. He was once the poster boy of farm society. He had become the opposite. He had only the distant memories of a life he once enjoyed to pass the time and support his current existence. He had once lived a normal life. He had enjoyed daily conversations with the crows he was there to guard against as he watched the worms make their way through the rows of fresh vegetables. These memories served merely to sustain him in the patch of dry dirt that he now called home. With the passing of days, he watched the sun rise and fall. He saw the night come alive and just as quickly run away. He was wise, yet helpless, strung limply upon old planks and broomsticks. Rocks speckled with dry, crusted mud formed the foundation around his feet. He hung there by himself with an everlasting desire to speak to the birds he once called friends. He wanted to watch the beauty of growth as carrots and onions poked through the fresh earth. He yearned for the freedom found in the midst of a green field. He wanted the same freedom he enjoyed as a child at play on his post. He would have no worries, only excitement and adventures every day. Now, he wanted to break free from the strings of old twine that bound him, bury the broomstick on which he hung, and scream to the world that he was someone!
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SCARECROW Use the story on page 110 to answer the questions. 1.
Who is he in the sentence, “He wanted the freedom found in the midst of a green field”? A.
crow
B.
scarecrow
C.
society
D.
Jim
2.
On a separate sheet of paper, write an ending to the story. Use descriptive words.
3.
Which word is a synonym for sustain?
4.
5.
6.
A.
support
B.
diminish
C.
mock
D.
enjoy
Which word means the state or fact of having life? A.
society
B.
memories
C.
existence
D.
effort
What is an antonym for freedom? A.
swallow
B.
demolish
C.
consume
D.
restriction
What does yearned mean in the story? ________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
7.
8.
What poetic device is being used in the sentence, “He yearned for the freedom found in the midst of a green field”? A.
simile
B.
pun
C.
alliteration
D.
paradox
The sentence, “He wanted to watch the beauty of growth as carrots and onions poked through the fresh earth,” creates a picture in the reader’s mind. What is this technique called? A.
alliteration
B.
metaphor
C.
simile
D.
imagery
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LADYBUG LETTER Read the letter. Dear Jeremy, Remember when we learned last year how good ladybugs are for plants? We found out that they eat harmful insects, like aphids and the cottony-cushion scale. Some gardeners and farmers even pay to have ladybugs shipped to them for plant protection. Just a few of these beetles can eat hundreds of harmful insects from one tree, reducing the need for pesticides. Well, my mom, who usually loves having the oval, spotted insects around our garden, has a different opinion right now. You will never believe what happened! Our house has become one huge ladybug mansion. Mom is going bonkers! We learned in school that ladybugs love to crawl onto leaves and into cracks in trees. I found out that they crawl into cracks in houses too! When I came home last Tuesday, the sides of our house and all of the screens were covered with ladybugs. They even came inside the house through the air-conditioning unit upstairs. The upstairs ceiling was covered. I found about 70 of the bugs clustered behind a curtain on a window upstairs. My sister is having fun trying to catch them in the bathroom. She has jars filled with the little crawlies. Mom has been calling gardening stores and searching the Internet. She found out that the beetles are attracted to light-colored buildings, especially those warmed by the sun. Boy, is she rethinking that decision to paint the house white! Once they get inside, it’s hard to get rid of ladybugs. If you disturb them, they secrete a nastysmelling, yellow liquid from their leg joints. Vacuuming them is one solution. To keep them out, people should caulk any cracks around dryer vents and windows. Mom has Dad recaulking any windows that look like they have openings big enough for those little buggers. I managed to get extra credit in my science and math classes from this! I did some research for my science report. I learned that the two-spotted ladybug is the most common. I decided to count the spots on some of our ladybugs. Of the 256 critters I looked at, fewer than 30 had one or two spots. In fact, 197 of them had more than six spots. I looked on the Internet and found out why. Here in the northern United States, ladybugs have more spots because the darker spots help them retain more heat. That sure explained what was going on at my house. I hope you have just dust bunnies, dirt, and some cookie crumbs to vacuum at your house. If you need an extra-credit project, just stop over. See you soon. Your friend, Ian
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LADYBUG LETTER Use the letter on page 112 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
Write six words that Ian uses in place of the word ladybugs in his letter. ________________________
_________________________
_________________________
________________________
_________________________
_________________________
Why do you think that the ladybugs chose Ian’s house? Give two reasons. Then, highlight with green the key words and phrases in the letter that support your answer. _________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
3.
What is one way to get rid of unwanted ladybugs? ____________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
4.
How are ladybugs useful? ____________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
5.
When do ladybugs become a nuisance? Highlight with yellow the key words and phrases in the letter that support your answer. _____________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
6.
How does Ian’s mom feel about ladybugs? How do you know? ________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
7.
Why did the majority of Ian’s ladybugs have more than six spots? _______________ ______________________________________________________________________________
8.
Write four locations where Ian and his family found ladybugs in their house. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
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FROSTY Read the story. On his way home from the park, John saw a gray, long-haired cat sitting beside the sidewalk. When he stopped to pet her, he noticed that she was not wearing a collar. The cat rubbed her head against his hand and began to purr. She reminded John of Smoky, the cat he had when he was younger. Smoky’s fur had been long and gray too. John petted the cat for a few minutes. Then, he set off down the street, walking slowly. To his surprise, the cat followed him. When John got to his house, he walked up the porch steps and went in through the kitchen door. The cat followed him up the steps and sat quietly outside, watching him. He made a sandwich for lunch and sat at the kitchen table. The cat continued to stare at him. John sighed. “I know it is not a good idea to feed a stray cat,” he said, “but you look so hungry! I cannot sit here and eat my sandwich without feeding you too.” John put some turkey on a plate and carried it to the door. The cat meowed as John opened the door and slipped the plate onto the porch. As John watched, the cat ate every scrap of turkey. Then, she began to clean her face and paws. “Wow!” John said as he picked up the plate. “I wonder how long it has been since someone fed you.” John finished his sandwich and looked at the cat. Her long fur was matted. John remembered that Smoky’s brush and some of his toys were still stored in a box in the garage. “I am going to clean you up a little,” John said to the cat. John found Smoky’s brush and started to work. As the dirt came out, the cat’s fur began to get lighter. “Hey!” John said, realizing the truth. “You are not like Smoky after all. You are not gray—you are white!” Afterward, the cat climbed into John’s lap. “You are so friendly. You must belong to someone,” John said. “I bet you are lost.” When John’s father came home, John showed him the cat, who was dozing in a patch of sun on the porch. His father suggested that John make some signs to post around the neighborhood. John grabbed some paper and his markers. He drew sketches of the cat and wrote her description, where he had found her, and his father’s e-mail address. The next morning, John hung the signs all over the neighborhood. He could not help crossing his fingers, though. His father had said that if no one called about the cat after a few days, John could keep her. A week crawled by and no one called to claim the cat. John fed and brushed her every day, and he and the cat became inseparable. “All right,” John’s father said. “You have waited long enough. Let’s give the cat a name. Then, she will be an official member of the family.” “Well,” said John. “I think that I will call her Frosty because she is as white as snow. And, now I can make sure she stays that way!”
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FROSTY Use the story on page 114 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
What kind of fiction is this story? A.
science fiction
B.
fantasy
C.
realistic fiction
D.
tall tale
Sequence the sentences in chronological order. _________ John made signs and hung them all over the neighborhood. _________ John discovered that the cat was white instead of gray. _________ John saw a cat on his way home from the park. _________ John named the cat Frosty. _________ The cat followed John home. _________ John’s father told John that he could keep the cat.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Which sentence is an opinion? A.
John named the stray cat Frosty.
B.
John fed and brushed the cat every day.
C.
The stray cat had long, white fur.
D.
Cats make the best pets.
Which phrase is an example of a simile? A.
stretched out in a patch of sun
B.
could not help crossing his fingers
C.
as white as snow
D.
had long, white fur
Why did John think that the cat belonged to someone? A.
The cat was not afraid of people.
B.
The cat was hungry and depended on people for food.
C.
The cat had dirty, matted fur.
D.
both A and B
What does inseparable mean in the story? A.
easily separated
B.
never together
C.
unable to be separated
D.
good friends
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GIANT SUPERSTARS Read the passage. In 1972, China gave a pair of giant pandas to the United States as a gift. They were named Hsing-Hsing (Sing-Sing) and Ling-Ling. The pandas were taken to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., where they were an immediate success. Millions of visitors enjoyed watching them over the years. Ling-Ling died at the zoo in 1992 at the age of 23. Hsing-Hsing died in 1999 at the age of 28. In December 2000, two giant pandas arrived in the United States from China. The pair was delivered to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Their names are Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) and Tian Tian (t-YEN t-YEN). In July 2005, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian had a son. More than 200,000 votes were cast to name the cub. When he was 100 days old, he was given the name Tai Shan (tie SHON), which means “peaceful mountain.” Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are playful pandas. Their new exhibit has both an indoor and an outdoor area in which the pair can roam freely. Because pandas dislike hot and humid weather, the outdoor habitat is air-conditioned. The temperature is never allowed to go above 80 degrees. Crowds can watch the pandas graze on bamboo shoots, apples, carrots, and special biscuits. Giant pandas are very rare and have always been popular in zoos. Only about 1,600 remain in the wild. They live in the mountain forests in China. Pandas face dangers from poachers and the destruction of their habitats. The Chinese government has made a tradition of loaning or giving pandas to other countries as a symbol of friendship. This new pair of pandas is not a gift. They are on loan to the United States for a period of 10 years. The “rental fee” to the United States for Mei Xiang and Tian Tian is $1 million per year.
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GIANT SUPERSTARS Use the passage on page 116 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
3.
4.
Which of the following events happened second? A.
The government of China gave a pair of giant pandas to the United States as a gesture of friendship.
B.
Mei Xiang and Tian Tian had a cub.
C.
Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling delighted zoo visitors for many years.
D.
Mei Xiang and Tian Tian live in an air-conditioned exhibit.
Which of these locations is the setting for this passage? A.
China
B.
New York City
C.
Washington, D.C.
D.
not given
Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are often referred to as the “first couple.” Why do you think that they have been given this nickname? A.
They are the first visitors to have an air-conditioned outdoor exhibit at the National Zoo.
B.
It is a reference to the president of the United States and his wife, who are also called the “first couple” and live in Washington, D.C.
C.
Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are picky eaters, and they will eat only the first couple of pieces of bamboo offered to them.
D.
all of the above
Why do you think giant pandas are among the most popular attractions at zoos throughout the world? _______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
5.
Why do you think the author wrote this passage? A.
to inform readers about the panda bears at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
B.
to persuade readers to donate money to charitable organizations that help protect panda bears
C.
to explain the habitats and diets of panda bears
D.
to help sell tickets to the National Zoo
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AFRICAN AMERICAN TIME LINE Read the time line. 1837 – James McCune Smith is the first African American to earn a medical degree. 1847 – Frederick Augustus Douglass buys his freedom and becomes a newspaper publisher. 1870 – Joseph H. Rainey (South Carolina) is the first African American to serve in the House of Representatives. 1878 – Joseph Winters invents the fire-escape ladder. 1881 – Booker T. Washington founds Tuskegee Institute. 1882 – Benjamin “Pap” Singleton is given a Grand Complimentary Anniversary Celebration. 1882 – Lewis Latimer patents the carbon lightbulb filament. 1890 – William Purvis patents a fountain pen that has its own ink. 1891 – Phillip Downing designs and patents the big, blue, street-corner mailbox. 1897 – Henry O. Tanner’s painting, Resurrection of Lazarus, is declared a masterpiece and purchased by the French government. 1899 – George Grant patents a wooden golf tee. 1909 – Matthew Henson reaches the North Pole on April 6. 1913 – Harriet Tubman is buried in New York with military honors. 1923 – Garrett Morgan invents the automatic traffic light. 1950 – Gwendolyn Brooks is the first African American to be awarded a Pulitzer Prize. 1963 – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. makes his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. 1967 – Thurgood Marshall is the first African American associate justice of the United States Supreme Court. 1968 – Shirley Chisholm is the first African American woman elected to Congress. 1976 – Alex Haley publishes Roots: The Saga of an American Family. 1983 – Guion S. Bluford Jr. goes into space aboard the space shuttle Challenger. 1989 – Colin Powell becomes the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. 1993 – Toni Morrison wins the Nobel Prize for Literature.
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AFRICAN AMERICAN TIME LINE Use the time line on page 118 to answer the questions. 1.
In what year was Gwendolyn Brooks awarded the Pulitzer Prize? ________________
2.
Alex Haley’s Roots was made into a television miniseries in 1977. How many years was his book in print before the miniseries was made? __________________________
3.
In what year would you have been able to use a pen with its own ink instead of carrying an ink bottle? ________________________________________________________
4.
This woman, who died in 1913, led over 300 slaves to freedom. At one time, a reward of $40,000—quite a lot of money at the time—was offered to anyone who could capture her. Who was she? ________________________________________
5.
In what year did Joseph Winters invent the fire-escape ladder? _________________
6.
“Pap” Singleton founded Singleton Colony in Kansas, a place for former slaves to settle. What year was a celebration held in his honor? _______________________
7.
Which happened first: an African American entered the House of Representatives or the Supreme Court? ________________________________________________________
8.
What leading African American spokesman bought his freedom in 1847? ______________________________________________________________________________
9.
The first hospital for African Americans was opened in 1833 in Savannah, Georgia. Would Dr. McCune Smith have been able to practice there the year that it opened? Why or why not? ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
10.
Which inventor patented the carbon lightbulb filament? _______________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
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THE CROSSVILLE SOCCER TOURNAMENT Read the note and the directions. Here are the driving directions to the annual Crossville Soccer Tournament on October 17. Each interstate listed under the four directions is the most direct route to Crossville. Remember, each team is responsible for bringing their own snacks. Good luck, Derrick Smithson, Tournament Coordinator From western states: Locate Interstate 473. Take I-473 east until you reach exit 74. Get off the interstate at this exit and turn left at the stop sign at the bottom of the ramp. This puts you on Route 5. Stay on Route 5 until you come to the stop sign in Crossville. Then, follow the north and west directions below. From northern states: Locate Interstate 71. Proceed on I-71 until the Cedar Drive exit (exit 14). Turn right onto Cedar Drive and travel until you come to where Cedar Drive crosses Route 5. Go south (left) on Route 5 until you come to the stop sign mentioned in the north and west directions below. From eastern states: Locate Interstate 24. Stay on I-24 until you reach the Bear Hill Road exit (exit 3). Upon leaving the interstate, you will need to take a right onto Voak Road. Stay on Voak Road for about 6 miles. Turn left onto Route 245 and follow the south and east directions below. From southern states: Locate Interstate 19. Take I-19 until you reach exit 36B (Route 245). Turn left onto Route 245. Follow the south and east directions below. When you get to Crossville from the north and west (Route 5): You will come to a three-way stop across from the bank and the Federal Hollow Store. Take a left onto Beech Street. Go 0.7 miles and turn right onto Dale Street. Drive 0.5 miles. On the left, you will see a sign and entrance for Marcus Whitman State Park. There is only one road through the park, and once you get past the ranger station (there is a $2 fee paid here to enter the park), look for Soccer Area 4. It will be on the right side of the road with a large sign for the Crossville Soccer Tournament. When you get to Crossville from the south and east (Route 245): You will enter on Route 245. At the bottom of a long hill, you will come to a stop sign. This is where Route 245 turns into Beech Street. Go straight from the stop sign. Go 1.6 miles and turn left onto Dale Street. Drive 0.5 miles. On the left, you will see a sign and entrance for Marcus Whitman State Park. There is only one road through the park, and once you get past the ranger station (there is a $2 fee paid here to enter the park), look for Soccer Area 4. It will be on the right side of the road with a large sign for the Crossville Soccer Tournament.
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THE CROSSVILLE SOCCER TOURNAMENT Use the note and the directions on page 120 to answer the questions. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
When will the Crossville Soccer Tournament take place? A.
November 17
B.
October 7
C.
October 17
D.
not given
What exit will people driving on I-71 use? A.
3
B.
14
C.
36B
D.
74
Before turning onto Dale Street, on what road must everyone travel? A.
Cedar Drive
B.
Route 245
C.
Route 5
D.
Beech Street
For those traveling from the north, what direction are they driving when they turn onto Route 5? A.
north
B.
south
C.
east
D.
west
Read each sentence. Write T if the sentence is true. Write F if it is false. _________ People arriving from the southern states should locate I-24. _________ When coming from the west, you turn right at the stop sign at the bottom of the exit ramp. _________ The entrance to the state park is on Dale Street. _________ Before you can pass the ranger station you have to pay $3.
6.
Write two things that you would see across from the stop sign if you entered Crossville on Route 5. _________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
7.
Why are the directions given from four different starting points? _________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
8.
What is the name of the park where the event is being held? ___________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
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THE EAGLE by Alfred, Lord Tennyson Read the poem. Use the poem to answer the questions. 1
He clasps the crag with crooked hands;
2
Close to the sun in lonely lands,
3
Ringed with the azure world, he stands.
4
The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls;
5
He watches from his mountain walls,
6
And like a thunderbolt he falls.
1.
2.
3.
4.
In line 1 of the poem, what are the crooked hands? A.
stick-like fingers
B.
the wings of an eagle
C.
the talons of an eagle
D.
a birdman’s old hands
From the poem, where can you conclude the eagle’s home is? A.
on a farm
B.
in a thundercloud
C.
high in the mountains
D.
in a sunny place
Where would this poem most likely be found? A.
in an anthology
B.
in a book of world records
C.
in an encyclopedia
D.
in a science book
Azure means blue. When the author says, “azure world” in line 3, to what is he referring? _________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
5.
Judging from the poem, how does the author feel about eagles? ______________ ______________________________________________________________________________
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ANSWER KEY Page 7 1. Chinese, Japanese, and South Korean students; 2. Leeuwarden, Holland; 3. teams from Germany, France, and Sweden; 4. eight weeks; 5. more than an hour and a half; 6. Europe and Asia; 7. nearly 4 million; 8. cause and effect; 9. Answers will vary.; 10. anticipated; 11. congregated; 12. ingenious; 13. topple; 14. meticulous
Page 19 1. Utah; 2. Yes. The Great Salt Lake does not have an outlet. Instead of flowing out of the lake, water evaporates and leaves behind salt and minerals.; 3. A.; 4. Answers will vary but may include: freshwater, shorelines, outlets, rainfall; 5. trickle; 6. minuscule; 7. obstructing; 8. outlets; 9. salinity; 10. D.; 11. B.; 12. A.; 13. C.
Page 9 1. C.; 2. B.; 3. B.; 4. It cleans our eyes and keeps them from feeling dry and scratchy.; 5. Our eyes are being cleansed and lubricated during the process of blinking.; 6. T, T, F, T, T
Page 21 1. Order may vary. A. They taught them how to hunt bears and catch fish.; B. Odin challenged the brothers’ bravery by asking them to climb rocky cliffs and jump across deep chasms.; C. Frigga told Agnar stories.; 2. B.; 3. C.; 4. Answers will vary.; 5. boisterous; 6. bleak; 7. chasms; 8. dinghy; 9. observant; 10. brash; 11. squall
Page 11 1. D.; 2. C.; 3. A.; 4. C.; 5. Diamonds are sometimes referred to as rocks.; 6. major; 7. large/huge; 8. unpolished; 9. fake; 10. plain
Page 23 1. C.; 2. F, T, T, T; 3. B.; 4. uncouth; 5. overseer; 6. apprehensions; 7. hesitation; 8. prevail
Page 13 1. A.; 2. A.; 3. A.; 4. C.; 5. They were fun to watch.; 6. shocked, surprised; 7. obtained, Page 25 1. A.; 2. He robs people. He plunders acquired; 8. title, championship houses.; 3. Answers will vary.; 4. forsaken; Page 15 5. remorse; 6. banished; 7. despot; 1. B.; 2. F, O, O, F; 3. 3, 1, 4, 2; 4. After many 8. ambitious; 9. heir; 10. the men’s of his friends were killed in World War I, remorse; 11. the servant’s disguise; 12. the Tolkien reflected deeply on the ideas of king’s hospitality good and evil.; 5. intrigued; 6. portrayed; Page 27 7. aptitude; 8. absentmindedly; 9. enlisted 1. North Carolina; 2. Alana; 3. B.; 4. B.; Page 17 5. A.; 6. D.; 7. B.; 8. 3, 2, 5, 1, 4 1. C.; 2. H, HB, H, HH; 3. 4, 2, 6, 1, 5, 3; 4. A. Shire; B. Bag-End; C. ring; D. invisible
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ANSWER KEY Page 29 1. B.; 2. glimmer; 3. C.; 4. a feeling of wonder and amazement; 5. shimmering; 6. Answers will vary but may include: dignified, grand, and glorious.; 7. see; 8. Answers will vary.
Page 37 (continued) through the water.; 7. the emperor penguin; 8. fish, squid, and crustaceans; 9. Answers will vary.
Page 39 1. C.; 2. She held press conferences, traveled, lectured, spoke on the radio, Page 31 1. O, O, F, F; 2. A.; 3. 4, 1, 2, 3; 4. profound; and wrote a daily newspaper column.; 3. B.; 4. 5, 2, 3, 1, 4; 5. transformed; 5. integrity; 6. banquet; 7. compassion; 8. elaborate; 9. unsurpassed; 10. distraught; 6. influential; 7. delegate; 8. prestigious 11. mayhem; 12. consequences Page 41 1. C.; 2. 3, 2, 5, 1, 4; 3. C.; 4.–5. Answers Page 33 will vary. 1. Suttung wanted the magic mead so that humankind would not get wisdom Page 43 and the giants would win the war.; 2. B.; 1. So that he could not use it to protect 3. TG, G, T, T; 4. whetstone; 5. scythes; the gods. Also, they feared Thor and 6. harvest; 7. enchanted; 8. caverns; Miolnir.; 2. D.; 3. O, F, F, F; 4. Answers will 9.–10. Answers will vary. vary.; 5. priceless; 6. malicious; 7. cunning; 8. vowed; 9. elegant; 10. the hammer’s Page 35 magic; 11. Miolnir’s booming crash; 1. He turned himself into a snake and 12. Asgard’s protector reversed the enchantment on Gunnlod.; 2. 2, 3, 1, 5, 4, 6; 3. gnarled; 4. auger; Page 45 5. reversed; 6. dispensed; 7. bore; 1. A.; 2. F, O, O, F; 3. C.; 4. Answers will 8. diminish; 9. vault, room; 10. cape, coat; vary.; 5. barter; 6. stifle; 7. recompense; 11. payment, due; 12. squeal, scream 8. embroidery; 9. without help; 10. without doubt; 11. without motion; 12. without sense Page 37 1. between the equator and the south Page 47 pole; 2. dense. Their dense bones help 1. C.; 2. A.; 3. 2, 1, 4, 3, 5; 4. Answers will penguins travel through the water.; 3. A vary.; 5. conceited; 6. devoured; brood patch is a featherless spot on the 7. uproariously; 8. suspiciously; penguins underside. It is used to heat 9. ravenously; 10. uproariously the incubating eggs or newly hatched chicks.; 4. A.; 5. 5 feet 7 inches; Page 49 6. Penguins’ feet are webbed and act 1. newspaper columns, poetry, and like small wings to assist propulsion books; 2. 1954; 3. Answers will vary.; 4. D.; 5. B.; 6. B.; 7. C.; 8. Answers will vary.
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ANSWER KEY Page 51 1.–2. Answers will vary. 3. Answers will vary but may include: so that they will remain customers.; 4. D.; 5. B.; 6. It took them a long time to respond to her claim, and the repairman missed two appointments.; 7. D.; 8. Answers will vary. Page 53 1. Osteoporosis occurs when bones lose mass and are more apt to break or fracture.; 2. collapsed vertebrae and broken bones; 3. The best time to build bone mass and prevent osteoporosis is before the age of 18.; 4. from birth to late teens; 5. yogurt, cheese, green leafy vegetables, and broccoli; 6. Caffeinated beverages leach calcium out of bones.; 7. regular exercise, a balanced diet, and not smoking; 8. Answers will vary.; 9. Vitamin D is needed for calcium absorption. Page 55 1. 5, 3, 1, 2, 4; 2. Answers will vary.; 3. D., It opens with the phrase “Long ago.”; 4. lament; 5. verdant; 6. serene; 7. quench; 8. over the age of; 9. a coat over other clothes; 10. to eat beyond a normal amount; 11. to look down from above Page 57 1. B.; 2. G, B, G, G; 3. C.; 4. parched; 5. vanquished; 6. hoarse; 7. materialized; 8. homage; 9. help, love; 10. obligation, responsibility
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Page 59 1. B.; 2. D.; 3. Answers will vary but may include: A herd of elephants accidentally destroys the homes of a colony of rabbits. The rabbit king devises a clever plan to get them to leave.; 4. devised; 5. dregs; 6. trumpeted; 7. ripples; 8. reflection; 9. almanac, calendar; 10. atlas; 11. encyclopedia; 12. dictionary Page 61 1. determined, well-educated; 2. O, F, F, O; 3. 1, 5, 2, 3, 6, 4; 4. retaliate; 5. client; 6. amended; 7. pamphlet Page 63 1. 3, 1, 5, 2, 4; 2. T, F, T, F; 3. Answers will vary.; 4. Answers will vary but may include: They quit government jobs, withdrew their children from government schools, gathered peacefully, fasted, and marched to the sea to make their own salt; 5. to protest the British tax on salt; 6. revered; 7. loom; 8. caste; 9. boycott; 10. fasted Page 65 1. D.; 2. B.; 3. B.; 4. A.; 5. He thought that his mom was about to strike out and he was embarrassed.; 6. D.; 7. The ball that the pitcher threw was moving very quickly. Page 67 1. A.; 2. A.; 3. A.; 4. ponder; 5. dangling; 6. exchange; 7. scattered; 8. splendid; 9. D.; 10. A.; 11. F.; 12. C.; 13. E.; 14. B.
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ANSWER KEY Page 69 1. C.; 2. B.; 3. B.; 4. A.; 5. a secret society of men who wanted to save Mardi Gras; 6. Fat Tuesday; 7. Spain; 8. It is a pastry that is braided into a ring and frosted in the traditional colors of green, gold, and purple.; 9. Answers will vary but may include: wearing masks, going to parades, eating king cakes. Page 71 1. The word chronic means that something occurs repeatedly and is long-lasting.; 2. Bronchi are interconnecting passageways that let oxygen and carbon dioxide pass between the body and the outside air.; 3. When the muscles surrounding the bronchi are squeezed too tightly, the bronchial tree produces too much mucus. Because the airways are tighter and contain extra mucus, carbon dioxide gets trapped in the lower parts of the bronchial tree. This results in a smaller area of the lungs being used for breathing.; 4. A trigger is something that can bring on an asthma attack.; 5. Answers will vary but may include: allergens, stress, exercise, viruses, bacteria, and irritants.; 6. no; 7. Tendency means the likelihood or possibility that an event will happen.; 8. It may be passed down from parent to child, like eye or hair color.
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Page 73 1. Mmoboro trusts Anansi. Mmoboro does not want to be wet. Anansi has devised a good plan.; 2. F, T, F, T; 3. B.; 4. sought; 5. wad; 6. fearsome; 7. drenched; 8. somewhat green; 9. tending to think of oneself first; 10. being shy or embarrassed Page 75 1. OS, M, ON, M; 2. Answers will vary.; 3. Answers will vary but may include: Anansi wanted Nyame’s stories, so he got everything that Nyame asked for. The stories now belong to Anansi.; 4. prowled; 5. quarrel; 6. bind; 7. slithered; 8. sapling; 9. solid, strong; 10. plant, tree; 11. tale, drama; 12. lane, trail Page 77 1. B.; 2. B.; 3. Answers will vary but may include: Hope is important during difficult times.; 4. Answers will vary.; 5. sporadic; 6. posthumously; 7. gale; 8. prolific; 9.–10. Order of answers may vary: soul/all, storm/warm. Page 79 1. C.; 2. C.; 3. C.; 4. C.; 5. Answers will vary. Page 81 1. sneaky, clever; 2. O, F, O, O; 3. 1, 4, 2, 3; 4. slyest; 5. pleaded; 6. gunnysack; 7. flustered; 8. a person who plays tricks; 9. a person who is young
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ANSWER KEY Page 83 1. 3, 1, 4, 2; 2. O, O, F, F; 3. Answers will vary but may include: Leslie is a talented runner.; Leslie talks with Jess about his concerns.; Leslie encourages Jess to develop his talents.; 4. B.; 5. Answers will vary.
Page 95 1. B.; 2. C.; 3. B.; 4. C.; 5. A.; 6. B.; 7. C.
Page 97 1. C.; 2. D.; 3. Answers will vary but may include: Storytelling can occur at festivals, in front of the class, at talent assemblies, while babysitting, around a campfire, or during a car trip. 4. adaptation; Page 85 1. C.; 2. Answers will vary but may include: 5. sentimental; 6. preserve; 7. B.; 8. C.; 9. D.; 10. A. electricity, magazines, desire.; 3. Answers will vary.; 4. reassemble; 5. awe; Page 99 6. discarded; 7. generator; 8. tinker; 9. D.; 1. O, O, F, O; 2. 2, 1, 4, 3; 3. rousing; 10. A.; 11. B.; 12. C. 4. prop; 5. rhythm; 6. unison; 7. sympathetic; 8. A.; 9. C.; 10. B. Page 87 1. Answers will vary.; 2. A.; 3. D.; 4. harrow; Page 101 5. transmission; 6. tedious; 7. patents; 1. 2, 1, 5, 4, 3; 2. B.; 3. Answers will vary.; 8. boom; 9. C.; 10. B.; 11. D.; 12. A. 4. C.; 5. charisma; 6. amateur; 7. vibrant; 8. renowned; 9. collaborated; Page 89 10. prestigious 1. BT, BT, BT, T; 2. A.; 3. D.; 4. critical; 5. perceptions; 6. patterns; 7. succession; Page 103 8. S; 9. M; 10. M 1. B.; 2. D.; 3. A.; 4. D.; 5. Answers will vary but may include: Radio was Page 91 popular during this point in history and it 1. B.; 2. B.; 3. It will not tell your secrets.; could reach many Americans.; 6. crisis, 4. habit; 5. legacy; 6. aspire; 7. C.; 8. E.; emergency; 7. purpose, reason; 9. A.; 10. B.; 11. D. 8. praised, complimented Page 93 1. Answers will vary but may include: start Page 105 1. It was the largest and most complete writing, write in a journal, be a careful observer, read every day, use ideas as T. rex skeleton ever found.; 2. B.; 3. A soon as you get them; 2. Answers will paleontologist studies fossilized plant and vary.; 3. D.; 4. entice; 5. preside; animal remains. An archaeologist studies 6. eloquent; 7. pensive; 8. genres; 9. filmy, human history by looking at remains and thin; 10. gifts, presents artifacts.; 4. 1, 3, 4, 5, 2; 5. excavate; 6. remote; 7. specimen; 8. colleagues; 9. millennium
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ANSWER KEY Page 107 1. Answers will vary but may include: Pastoral poetry is concerned with country life, nature, and the rural landscape. Frost describes the landscape, such as trees, the moon, and the running brook.; 2. Answers will vary. The characters view the experience as an adventure and are not inconvenienced by it.; 3. the moon; 4. B.; 5. Answers will vary. Page 109 1. C.; 2. D.; 3. D.; 4. A.; 5. Answers will vary but may include: The beauty and craftsmanship of the totem poles were noticed by art and history lovers who worked to revive the craft.
Page 115 1. C.; 2. 4, 3, 1, 6, 2, 5; 3. D.; 4. C.; 5. D.; 6. C. Page 117 1. C.; 2. C.; 3. B.; 4. Answers will vary but may include: They are rare, and many people will not have the opportunity to see them in the wild.; 5. A. Page 119 1. 1950; 2. one year; 3. 1890; 4. Harriet Tubman; 5. 1878; 6. 1882; 7. House of Representatives; 8. Frederick Augustus Douglass; 9. No, he had not received a medical degree yet.; 10. Lewis Latimer
Page 121 1. C.; 2. B.; 3. D.; 4. B.; 5. F, F, T, F; 6. the bank and the Federal Hollow Store; Page 111 7. because teams will be coming from 1. B.; 2. Answers will vary.; 3. A.; 4. C.; 5. D.; different locations; 8. Marcus Whitman 6. to long for or want badly.; 7. C.; 8. D. State Park Page 113 Page 122 1. beetles, little buggers, bugs, little 1. C.; 2. C.; 3. A.; 4. the sky; 5. Answers will crawlies, critters, oval, spotted insects; vary but may include: the author admires 2. The house is white. The windows need eagles. to be recaulked. Highlighted portions will vary.; 3. vacuum them; 4. They eat harmful insects.; 5. when they infest houses; Highlighted portions will vary.; 6. Answers will vary but may include: She does not like them in her house. She asks her husband to recaulk the windows to prevent them from entering the house.; 7. They live in the northern United States, and the additional spots help them retain heat.; 8. Answers will vary but may include: on the sides of the house, on the screens, on the ceiling, in the bathroom, and behind a curtain.
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Poetry
Fiction
Nonfiction
Written Expression
Thinking Skills
COMPLETION CHART
Language Skills
Vocabulary
Reading Comprehension
Page Number
Poetry
Fiction
Nonfiction
Written Expression
Thinking Skills
Language Skills
Vocabulary
Reading Comprehension
Page Number
SKILLS MATRIX
64–65
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