Selection: C-49

C-49

Grade level: 3

Word count: 1222 words

Author: R. Bender

Synopsis: Six blind men have very different ideas about what an elephant is like.

Excerpt: For many hours after the elephant left, the six blind men sat by the side of the road. They argued loudly about the elephant. Each blind man believed that he knew best what the animal was like. Each blind man called the others harsh names because they could not agree if the elephant was like a wall, a spear, a snake, a tree, a fan, or a rope.

Question: Which is true about the six blind men?

1. They ignored the opinions of other people.
2. They never left their house because they were afraid.
3. They refused any help from the wise man.
4. They did not speak to any of their neighbors.

Selection: HiC-48

HiC-48

Grade level: 3

Word count: 1347 words

Author: Edmund Lester Pearson

Synopsis: There's only one hour left until summer vacation. For one student, however, it's the longest hour of the entire year.

Excerpt: But, somehow, the days had dragged slowly by. Even this final one was nearly gone. Then at the last moment, when our release was so near at hand, a dark shadow rose before us to block the way. It was the grim shadow of Mr. Colburn.

We ran eagerly through the hall and out the door with a yell of sheer joy. Mr. Colburn and his evil book lay behind us. Ahead were summer vacation and freedom.

Question: The change in mood from the first excerpt to the second can best be described as going from

1. unhappy to thrilled.
2. excited to sad.
3. brave to fearful.
4. important to helpless.

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-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-44

C-44

Grade level: 3

Word count: 1130 words

Author: Erica Cirino

Synopsis: A day at the zoo requires detective work when car keys disappear.

Excerpt: The next exhibit they searched was the safari exhibit. This was Marco's favorite place in the whole zoo. They hopped on the safari train again. Marco and his dad were so happy that they nearly forgot about the lost keys.

Question: In the selection, Marco rides on the safari train two times. When he rides on the train, what kind of expression would you probably see on his face?

1. a smile
2. a frown
3. anger
4. surprise

Selection: C-59

C-59

Grade level: 3

Word count: 1357 words

Author: R. Bender

Synopsis: Why is the mouse such a small animal? This legend from long ago offers an interesting explanation.

Excerpt: The girl was an average size, but the boy was very small. He was no more than two feet high.

One day she said, "Look, little brother! I have made you a bow and some arrows. It is time you learned to take care of yourself. While I am gone, practice shooting.

Each day he practiced, shooting at a tree when there was nothing better to aim at. At last he killed a bird.

But he had made up his mind to see the world for himself, and off he went. His legs were short and he was not used to walking far.

Question: Which two statements about the boy are correct?

1. He was not able to walk great distances because he was small.
2. He learned to hunt by practicing every day.
3. He was as large as a Mastodon and as smart as a coyote.
4. He took care of his older sister, and kept her safe from harm.
5. He was a skilled hunter who never missed a shot.