Selection: B-7

B-7

Grade level: 2

Word count: 1131 words

Author: J. Baldwin

Synopsis: This ancient myth tells about Arion, a man who sings more beautifully than anyone else. He runs into trouble on a boat, but he's rescued in a very surprising way.

Excerpt: In a city in ancient Greece, there once lived a man who made beautiful music. His name was Arion. No other person could play music or sing so sweetly. In just a moment, his music could wipe away sad or angry feelings. The songs he wrote were famous in many lands.

How was Arion saved after he jumped into the sea? Some people say he climbed on the back of a dolphin.

Other people say the dolphin that saved Arion was not a sea creature. It was a boat named the "Dolphin." These people say Arion, who was a very good swimmer, was able to swim in the sea until a passing boat saved him.

Question: The selection says Arion was good at doing two things. What are they?

1. making music and swimming
2. swimming and making friends
3. making music and hiding money
4. finding dolphins and finding money

Selection: B-40

B-40

Grade level: 2

Word count: 1083 words

Author: Anonymous

Synopsis: A Native American boy outsmarts Big Chief North Wind.

Excerpt: "I will not leave," young Shingebis said as he sat down on a rock.

"But you must come with us," the other people said.

"All the people in our tribe are afraid," thought Shingebis. "They are afraid of Big Chief North Wind. But I am not afraid!" Shingebis stayed on his rock and watched the birds fly high in the sky. The birds also were going south.

"You will be sorry," the other people said to Shingebis. "Big Chief North Wind will get angry, and he will bring such cold that you will freeze."

Question: The people in the Native American tribe thought that Big Chief North Wind would be angry

1. if Shingebis did not go south with them.
2. when Shingebis hid all the fish.
3. if Shingebis went south with them.
4. when Shingebis decided to light a fire.

Selection: B-10

B-10

Grade level: 2

Word count: 1102 words

Author: Kate Carter

Synopsis: How much do you know about the sun? Less than you think.

Excerpt: Certainly our ancestors thought our sun was super. That's why they named our entire solar system after the sun. "Sol" is the ancient Roman word for sun.

Question: Read this excerpt. What does it tell you about the people of ancient Rome?

1. They thought the sun was powerful and important.
2. They believed the sun was going to burn out.
3. They thought the planets were more important than the sun.
4. They believed people should live on the sun.

Selection: B-1

B-1

Grade level: 2

Word count: 1097 words

Author: Carlos Valdoza

Synopsis: Are you the oldest in your family? The youngest? In between? The only? Your answer tells a lot about you.

Excerpt: No excerpt is available for this question.

Question: This selection is mainly about

1. how family birth order affects your personality.
2. why first-born kids are more likely to be president.
3. which traits are the most dangerous.
4. what you can do to change your birth order.

Selection: B-5

B-5

Grade level: 2

Word count: 1000 words

Author: Kate Carter

Synopsis: The English language is full of sayings that don't mean what they say.

Excerpt: Here's another idiom that may puzzle you: "Don't count your chickens before they hatch." It means you shouldn't be sure something will happen. There's always a chance it won't happen at all.

Question: Someone who "counts their chickens before they hatch" is

1. feeling sure a certain thing will happen.
2. worrying too much about small details.
3. working hard but not succeeding
4. trying to make people laugh.

Selection: B-49

B-49

Grade level: 2

Word count: 1087 words

Author: Barbara Smalley

Synopsis: Hot dogs are one of America's most popular foods.

Excerpt: No excerpt is available for this question.

Question: Hot dogs are popular for many reasons. All of these statements explain why hot dogs are popular EXCEPT

1. "Hot dogs have a narrow tube shape, and they are usually brown."
2. "Hot dogs can be easily heated in a pan, on a grill, or in boiling water."
3. "Hot dogs are available in most places, and they do not cost much money."
4. "Hot dogs can be served with any kind of topping a person likes."