Selection: B-58

B-58

Grade level: 2

Word count: 1003 words

Author: Kate Carter

Synopsis: The owner of a hotel finds out that it's important to treat all travelers equally.

Excerpt: "No, he is not here," said the hotel owner. "The only man that has been here asking for a place to stay was an old farmer. He was so muddy that you could not see the color of his coat. I sent him to the other hotel. He is staying there."

"Did he have red hair?" asked the well-dressed man. "Did he ride a gray horse?"

"Yes," said the hotel owner. "And he was tall."

"That was the vice president!" said the well-dressed man.

The hotel owner went to the other hotel. There he found the vice president sitting with some friends. They were talking and laughing and having a good time. The vice president was clean and neat. He wore fresh clothes. There was no sign of mud anywhere.

Question: Think about what you read in this selection. Which two of the following statements about Thomas Jefferson are correct?

1. He had red hair.
2. He was taller than most men.
3. He rode a white horse.
4. He traveled with one set of clothes.
5. He believed he was better than other men.

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-14

B-14

Grade level: 2

Word count: 934 words

Author: Amie Leavitt

Synopsis: Jane Goodall is an expert on chimps and one of nature's greatest friends.

Excerpt: During her trip, Goodall met a man named Louis Leakey. He was a scientist who studied the natural world. He studied fossils, animals, and plants. Leakey was impressed with Goodall's love of nature. So he hired her to work with his group of scientists.

At first, Goodall worked as a secretary. Then Leakey gave her other tasks to do. He could see that she had great potential as a scientist.

Question: Louis Leakey was most impressed with Goodall's

1. love of nature.
2. kindness.
3. sense of humor.
4. ability to work with others.

Selection: B-15

B-15

Grade level: 2

Word count: 1069 words

Author: Kate Carter

Synopsis: How to make your school environmentally friendly, one step at a time.

Excerpt: Now that we're outside, let's talk about the best thing you can do to help your school go green. Have a Walk Ride Day each month. That's a day when students, parents, teachers--everyone--agrees to walk, ride a bike, take a bus or subway, or share a ride to school. This is a win for everyone. You get exercise and have fun. Your school's neighborhood gets cleaner air.

Question: How does sharing a ride to school help the environment?

1. You will use only one car, so you save gas and cause less pollution.
2. While you ride to school, you can talk to your friends.
3. Riding in a car is faster than walking or riding a bike, so you will arrive at school earlier.
4. Riding in a car means you can do your homework on the way to school.

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."