Selection: A-1

A-1

Grade level: 1

Word count: 805 words

Author: Anonymous

Synopsis: A rabbit is not big or strong, but he's smart. That's what it takes to be king.

Excerpt: Long ago, a rabbit lived on a farm. Many other animals also lived there. The rabbit decided he would be the king of the animals.

Question: Where does this selection take place?

1. on a farm long ago
2. near the sea long ago
3. on a farm in the future
4. in the woods today

Selection: A-19

A-19

Grade level: 1

Word count: 785 words

Author: Frederick H. Martens

Synopsis: The king's daughter is saved from the bird with nine heads by a young man named Will. Can they live happily ever after?

Excerpt: Long ago, there lived a king. He had a daughter. One day, the daughter went walking in the garden. A storm suddenly came along. It carried her away.

The storm had come from the bird with nine heads. The bird with nine heads took the princess. It brought her to its cave.

When he was sure all nine heads were asleep, Will came out from his hiding place. He used a sword to kill the bird. "You are safe now, princess. Climb into the basket. My friends will pull you up."

Question: Based on what you read, which two of the following statements are correct?

1. The bird with nine heads created a storm that carried away the king's daughter.
2. Will used a sword to kill the bird with nine heads.
3. An old man lowered a basket into the cave to rescue a bird.
4. Will's friend had a special map that showed where to find food.
5. The king was put under a spell by the bird with nine heads.

Selection: A-3

A-3

Grade level: 1

Word count: 790 words

Author: Adapted from a story by Amy Barrett

Synopsis: A boy has an odd adventure that leads him to Popcorn Mountain.

Excerpt: The frog started to get tired. It hopped a little slower. Then it hopped even slower. Then it stopped. Drew looked down. The frog was sleeping!

Question: Why did the frog stop hopping?

1. It was sleepy.
2. It needed to eat.
3. It got lost.
4. It started to fly.

Selection: A-10

A-10

Grade level: 1

Word count: 719 words

Author: Ellen Bari

Synopsis: Rochelle is the first African American female chess champion. She's on her way to becoming a chess master.

Excerpt: When did she start playing? It started when Rochelle was in third grade. That is when her grandmother showed her how to play.

Question: When did Rochelle first play chess?

1. in the third grade
2. in the first grade
3. in kindergarten
4. in preschool

Selection: A-77

A-77

Grade level: 1

Word count: 691 words

Author: R. Bender

Synopsis: A fox says he has many tricks to keep him safe. Will the tricks work, or will he be caught by the farmers' dogs?

Excerpt: "I would gladly teach you some of my tricks," said Mr. Fox. "But in times like these, it is not a good idea to trust anyone. Each animal must look out just for himself."

Question: The fox did not want to tell the cat about his tricks. Why?

1. The fox believes every animal should take care of its own needs.
2. The fox is afraid the cat will tell the farmers how to find him.
3. The fox wants to teach the cat an important lesson.
4. The fox does not really have any tricks.

Selection: A-29

A-29

Grade level: 1

Word count: 870 words

Author: Erica Cirino

Synopsis: A teacher helps her students discover how much fun it can be to have a pen pal.

Excerpt: My teacher wants everyone in our class to be friends. Since the first day of school, she has made sure we are all friends with one another.

One day my teacher told our class we would make faraway friends. She said these friends lived in other countries. My teacher said we would get to know them without leaving our classroom!

"Hi Devi," I wrote. "Thank you for your letter. I am from the United States. I live in a big city.

Question: Based on what you read, which two of the following statements best describe Anna?

1. She has many friends.
2. She lives in a big city.
3. She has a cat named Harto.
4. She is a shy person.
5. She collects stamps.

Selection: A-36

A-36

Grade level: 1

Word count: 740 words

Author: Ann Alvarez

Synopsis: Where can you find extra space in a city? Up on the roof.

Excerpt: Roof top gardens are important. Sometimes it is hard to get fresh fruits and veggies in the city. But a roof garden can fix that. Some people have whole farms on a roof! These roofs are often called "green roofs." People grow all kinds of fresh foods. Then they sell it to stores and restaurants. It used to be that a farm was way out in the country. Not anymore!

Question: Based on what you read in the selection, a "green roof" is a roof that

1. is used as a farm.
2. is used as a park.
3. has no view.
4. has power lines on it.

Selection: A-28

A-28

Grade level: 1

Word count: 790 words

Author: Ann Alvarez

Synopsis: People have played tug of war for a very, very long time.

Excerpt: Have you ever heard of the game called "tug of war"? It is a game of power.

Question: The author says tug of war is a game of

1. power.
2. friendship.
3. skill.
4. hardship.

Selection: A-10

A-10

Grade level: 1

Word count: 719 words

Author: Ellen Bari

Synopsis: Rochelle is the first African American female chess champion. She's on her way to becoming a chess master.

Excerpt: They started to win again and again. They won 30 national chess championships. A championship is a contest to find out which team is the best. Someone made a movie about Rochelle and her team.

Question: Based on what you read, which two of the following statements are correct?

1. Playing chess can help improve your memory.
2. It takes years of practice to become a chess master.
3. Rochelle's grandmother is a famous chess player.
4. You need to be an adult to win a chess championship.
5. Men and women have been playing chess since the game first started.