Selection: C-15

C-15

Grade level: 3

Word count: 1381 words

Author: Diane Lang and Mike Buchanan

Synopsis: Charley wants to hatch some chicks, but what she gets is a real surprise from her dad.

Excerpt: "There might be," her dad answered. "We can build one, too, if you're really interested. We would need to get a box, a light bulb, a thermometer, and some straw. And then we would need to get some eggs."

Question: To build a successful incubator, you need a

1. box, a light bulb, and a thermometer.
2. plant bulb, a box, and a light meter.
3. box, a book, and a chicken.
4. thermometer, an egg, and a refrigerator.

Selection: C-12

C-12

Grade level: 3

Word count: 1346 words

Author: Anonymous

Synopsis: A farmer and his wife get a surprising gift from two unusual travelers.

Excerpt: Soon Baucis came out to tell them their dinner was ready. "It is not very much of a dinner," she said. "There is some bread and cheese, and a pitcher with some milk, and some small purple grapes.

Question: Which two of the following items are offered to the strangers for dinner?

1. cheese
2. grapes
3. apples
4. ham
5. potatoes

Selection: C-48

C-48

Grade level: 3

Word count: 1339 words

Author: Charles Reade

Synopsis: Is there a hidden treasure on an old man's farm? The old man searches even while his neighbors laugh and his wife doubts him.

Excerpt: "What difference does it make if I cut all the roots?" the old man shouted. "These old trees aren't worth a penny a piece. They are all in such poor condition! All together the do not give us enough good apples to make a living. These trees will make us into beggars! During my father's time, these trees used to produce wagon loads of the very finest fruit. How I wish these trees were all dead!"

Summer passed. Autumn followed. The old man's old trees had more apples than they had ever had before. In fact, the branches of the old trees staggered under their weight of fruit. The old man and his wife sold the apples and made more money than they could ever use.

Question: Which character changes the most, and in what way does the character change?

1. The old man changes the most because at first he thinks the trees are worthless, but then he learns they are the treasure.
2. The wife changes the most because at first she is looking for the treasure, but then she doubts that it really exists.
3. The neighbors change the most because at first they help the old man dig holes, but then they start to laugh at him.
4. The stranger changes the most because at first he makes a lot of noise, but later he sneaks away from the old man.

Selection: C-36

C-36

Grade level: 3

Word count: 1195 words

Author: Mark Twain

Synopsis: What's the best way to get a boy to do something? Tell him he can't do it.

Excerpt: "Really? Is that so?" Ben asked. "Oh, come now. Let me just try, only just a little. I'd let you, if you was me, Tom."

"Ben, I'd like to. Really, I would. But Aunt Polly likes it done just so. Jim wanted to do it, but she wouldn't let him. Sid wanted to do it, but she wouldn't let Sid. Now, don't you see my problem? If you were to tackle this fence and anything was to happen to it?"

"Oh, come on! I'll be just as careful," Ben said eagerly. "Now let me try. Say, I'll give you a piece of my apple."

"No, Ben."

Ben said, "Okay. I'll give you all of it!"

Question: Which of the following was the most unusual thing that happened in this selection?

1. Tom was able to get other boys to do his work and to pay him to do so.
2. Tom had an aunt who needed help whitewashing a fence.
3. Tom had many friends who lived in his neighborhood.
4. Tom hoped his friends would not make fun.

Selection: C-30

C-30

Grade level: 3

Word count: 1325 words

Author: Nancy Joline

Synopsis: Who is that mysterious stranger?

Excerpt: "We may as well anchor here," I told Emily. "We can't row in the dark. We'll just sit here in the boat and wait for our parents to find us."

Question: Why did Emily and Tarij stop rowing and wait in the boat?

1. It was too dark to see where they were going.
2. They heard their parents coming.
3. They thought the boat's motor would start working.
4. It was late and they wanted to go to sleep.

Selection: C-24

C-24

Grade level: 3

Word count: 1323 words

Author: Michael H. Levitt

Synopsis: Was the stranger telling the truth? Did he even EXIST?

Excerpt: "Well," he said, "the old lighthouse had been here for many years. It was not as big as this one. It did not have electrical equipment. The light was from a fire that the lighthouse keeper had to tend. The light wasn't as strong as it is today, so boats at a great distance couldn't see it. But the signal never failed to warn boats away from the rocks."

Question: The old sailor said that the old lighthouse differed from the new lighthouse in which two of the following ways?

1. The old lighthouse was smaller.
2. The old lighthouse needed a fire to create light.
3. The old lighthouse was taller.
4. The old lighthouse was damaged by a boat that crashed into it.
5. The old lighthouse had a more powerful light that could be seen from great distances.