Selection: F-10

F-10

Grade level: 6

Word count: 1892 words

Author: Claire O'Connell

Synopsis: Ellen Ochoa loved both music and science, in addition to having the "right stuff."

Excerpt: Ochoa's Hispanic roots come from her father's side of the family. His parents were Mexican, but he was born in the United States. Her father grew up speaking both Spanish and English, but he did not like to speak Spanish in front of his children. On speaking engagements, Ochoa tells audiences, "When I was growing up, my father believed, as many people did at the time, that there was prejudice against people speaking their native language. It's really too bad, and I'm glad that things have changed in recent years."

Question: Why did Ochoa say her father was reluctant to speak Spanish in front of his children?

1. He did not want to attract prejudice.
2. He spend most of his youth in Mexico.
3. He did not want them to make fun of him.
4. His children would not listen him.

Selection: F-20

F-20

Grade level: 6

Word count: 1661 words

Author: Mike Buchanan

Synopsis: Two disabled athletes overcome challenges to become Paralympians.

Excerpt: As you can see, inspiration comes in many forms, and from many people. It can be the simple words that change the soul of a nation, a stirring song that brings our chin back up, or the actions of a heroic athlete who has chosen to overcome challenges. We are all fortunate that these words, songs, and people exist because they remind us of what individuals are all capable of doing, and that their triumph can become our own.

Question: Based on this excerpt, which sound does the author say can be a source of inspiration?

1. the singing of an uplifting song
2. the sound of a race's starting signal
3. the taunts of the opposing competitors
4. the rhythm of runners' feet on the track

Selection: J-31

J-31

Grade level: 10

Word count: 2321 words

Author: Thomas Wentworth Higginson

Synopsis: Harald, son of Viking explorer Erik the Red, led a life full of great adventure, excitement, and danger. This tale mixes fact and fantasy.

Excerpt: The Vikings discovered and settled lands far from their Scandinavian home. Most experts agree that the Vikings landed in North America long before Columbus set sail for the New World.

The myths and classic tales of Vikings portray these people as aggressive warriors who left destruction wherever they landed, pillaging whatever goods they found. Some of this is true, but there was far more complexity to the Viking culture. For example, most men living in Scandinavia at that time were farmers, fishermen, or craftsmen, not warriors.

When the youth returned to his father, he found Erik the Red directing the construction of one of the great Viking galleys, nearly 80 feet long and 17 feet wide and only six feet deep. The boat had 20 ribs, and the frame was fastened together by ropes made of roots. The oaken planks were held by iron rivets.

The oars were 20 feet long, and were put through oar holes, and the rudder, shaped like a large oar, was not at the end, but was attached to a projecting beam on the starboard side. The ship was to be called a "Dragon," and was painted to look like one, having a gilded dragon's head at the bow and a gilded tail on the stern. The moving oars would look like legs; and the row of red and white shields, hung along the side of the boat, would resemble the scales of a dragon; and the great square sails, red and blue, would look like wings.

Question: The first excerpt is from the website of a history program on TV, and the second is from the selection you just read. Based on the information provided in them, what conclusion can be drawn?

1. Much of the success of Viking explorers can be attributed to the skill of craftsman who never left their home country.
2. Viking ship-building was inferior to ship-building in other countries.
3. The strength and agility of Viking sailing vessels described in myths is baseless.
4. Viking ships were beautiful to look at, but failed miserably when on the open sea.