Selection: G-10

G-10

Grade level: 7

Word count: 1735 words

Author: Jack London

Synopsis: Stolen from his home, Buck has to rely on his instincts to survive.

Excerpt: The Judge was at a meeting of the Raisin Growers' Association, and the boys were busy organizing an athletic club, on the memorable night of Manuel's betrayal. No one saw him and Buck go off through the orchard on what Buck imagined was merely a stroll. With the exception of one man, nobody saw them arrive at the little station known as College Park, where the man talked with Manuel, and money changed hands between them.

Question: Based on the selection, which two factors helped the kidnapper get away with Buck undetected?

1. The Judge was attending a meeting.
2. The boys were organizing a club.
3. The gardener's helper didn't show up for work.
4. The day was cold and snowy.
5. The train station was far away.

Selection: G-12

G-12

Grade level: 7

Word count: 1893 words

Author: Anonymous

Synopsis: A plan has been made to trick the Frost King to return the hammer, but will it work?

Excerpt: The hammer was safe once more in Asgard, and you and I know how it came to be there, so someone must have told. I wonder if Loki whispered the tale to some outsider after all.

Question: From this last paragraph, you can conclude that

1. Loki probably told this story to someone else.
2. Thor and Loki became best friends.
3. Loki never played another trick in Asgard.
4. Thor was sorry he had followed Loki's plan.

Selection: G-9

G-9

Grade level: 7

Word count: 1662 words

Author: Anonymous

Synopsis: Will a plan to fly out of prison be successful?

Excerpt: In his hiding place in a shady forest on the mountains he fashioned light wooden frames. He decked them with feathers, until at length they looked like the wings of a great eagle. On the first day that he fastened them to his back and spread them out, Daedalus found that he could fly even as the bird flew.

Having tested one pair, Daedalus made a second pair for Icarus. Circling round him like a mother bird that teaches her nestlings to fly, Daedalus showed Icarus how he might best soar upwards to the sun or dive down to the blue sea.

Question: Put the sentences in the order that describes the steps Daedalus took after he constructed a wooden framework for wings.

1. He covered the wing frame with feathers.
2. He tested the wings to make sure they worked.
3. He made another pair of wings for Icarus.
4. He showed Icarus how to use the pair of wings.

Selection: G-4

G-4

Grade level: 7

Word count: 1872 words

Author: Mike Buchanan and Diane Lang

Synopsis: A teenager learns to view her life in a new light.

Excerpt: Olivia peered into her closet for something different to wear. She searched for an outfit that would make her less visible and selected a plain white tee shirt and blue, straight-legged jeans.

"Well," her mother said at breakfast, "I like the new look."

"I made a decision to change my appearance, big deal."

Question: The author mentions that Olivia changed her style of dress to show that she

1. did not want to stand out and become a target for mean comments.
2. wanted her mother to like the way she was dressing for school.
3. did not care what her friends thought about her clothes.
4. needed her mother to realize that her clothes were outdated.

Selection: G-12

G-12

Grade level: 7

Word count: 1893 words

Author: Anonymous

Synopsis: A plan has been made to trick the Frost King to return the hammer, but will it work?

Excerpt: "I am sure Loki is at the bottom of this mischief!" Thor cried, but Thor was mistaken. It was not Loki who had stolen the hammer, for he was too great a coward for that. Meanwhile Loki was on his best behavior, trying to appear very kind and obliging when Thor came rumbling and roaring up to him, demanding, "What have you done with my hammer, you thief?"

"Look, how storms rage and winds howl in the world below," said Loki. "Someone is wielding your thunder-hammer all unskillfully. Who could it be but Thrym, the mighty giant who has ever been your enemy and your imitator?"

Question: What do these two excerpts tell the reader about Thor and Loki?

1. They each react differently when a problem arises and needs solving.
2. They both are thinking of the same person as the cause of this problem.
3. They each believe that it was the other one who misplaced the hammer.
4. They both think a show of force is the best way to solve a problem.

Selection: G-18

G-18

Grade level: 7

Word count: 1668 words

Author: Mary R. Dunn

Synopsis: Nature has been busy creating shimmering sculptures deep in the Earth.

Excerpt: Years later, in the same Cave of Crystals, workers found another room filled with sparkling crystals. This new chamber had glistening cauliflower-shaped forms, so they named it the Ice Palace. Although it is a wonder to see, no visitors are allowed inside this cave because it gets so hot.

Question: The Ice Palace mentioned in this selection does not allow visitors because

1. its hot temperature is life threatening.
2. it is more than 100 miles long.
3. it is so cold that the floors are covered with ice.
4. its stalactites are in danger of falling.