Name Lewis and Clark and Me Read the selection. Then answer the questions that follow. Rabbit Fools Coyote Coyote was hiding behind a bush waiting for Rabbit to leave his hole. But Rabbit was no fool. He knew just where Coyote was hiding and what he would be planning to do. One day when Rabbit left his hole, he carried a big bag and pretended that he had to run slowly because the bag was so heavy. Soon Coyote overtook him. Before you eat me, please let me empty my bag, Rabbit said. My children are all sleeping inside. Coyote laughed and grabbed the bag while Rabbit raced away. Coyote sat down, looking forward to the delicious meal in the bag. He stuck his head and front paws inside and yelled out YEOW! The bag was full of thorny cactuses. Turn the page. Fresh Reads Unit 1 Week 2 SI 7
Answer the questions below. 1 Why do you think the author wrote this story? A to convince the reader of an opinion B to entertain the reader with a surprise ending C to explain how to act in an emergency D to express a feeling and create a mood 2 What did the author probably want you to think about Coyote? F He was very clever. G He got what he deserved. H He should not have chased Rabbit. J He was too proud of himself. 3 Why did Rabbit say his children were sleeping in the bag? A He wanted Coyote to leave them alone. B He wanted to show them to Coyote. C He wanted Coyote to be quiet. D He wanted to trick Coyote. 4 Do you think the author was trying to make you laugh? Explain by giving an example from the story. 8 Fresh Reads Unit 1 Week 2 SI
Name Lewis and Clark and Me Read the selection. Then answer the questions that follow. Letter from a New Home September 5 Dear Nadja, I ve put away my things in my new room, and my posters are on the walls. Now this is starting to feel like home. I can see the mountains and lots of pine trees from my window. My mom says I can take skiing lessons this winter, so I can t wait for the snow. There are a zillion places to go ice skating and tobogganing. Who knows, maybe I ll even learn to snowboard! Yesterday we hiked up a mountain path that led to a beautiful lookout. The land stretched out for miles and miles across a canyon. Hawks were drifting in the sky, and it was almost like a dream. My dad had brought a picnic, and we ate lunch there. It was warm in the sun. By the time we got back to the car, I was tired and cold and my muscles ached, but I slept well last night. School starts on Monday, and I m a little nervous about being the new kid here. I just hope my teachers are nice and that I make some friends fast. If I could just change one thing here, can you guess what it would be? You got it you would still live next door. Your friend, Rosa P.S. Write back soon! You know how I love to get mail. Turn the page. Fresh Reads Unit 1 Week 2 OL 9
Answer the questions below. 1 Why do you think the author wrote this selection? A to persuade the reader to move to the mountains B to entertain the reader with interesting facts C to describe what it s like to be in a new home D to explain why hiking is a great sport 2 In the paragraph that begins School starts on Monday, the author s purpose is mainly to F give information. G ask a question. H describe a place. J express feelings. 3 The author s purpose in the first part of the letter is to show that Rosa A misses her friend. B is getting used to a new home. C is sorry that she moved away. D likes to ski. 4 What caused Rosa to sleep so well the night before she wrote? F unpacking G hiking H skiing J feeling happy 5 Why do you think the author chose to write about moving to a new home? 10 Fresh Reads Unit 1 Week 2 OL
Name Lewis and Clark and Me Read the selection. Then answer the questions that follow. Tornadoes Strike Three States Friday, August 15 Last night, a string of tornadoes cut a thousand-mile path across Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. The National Weather Service reported that in some areas, winds reached 180 miles an hour. Today, businesses are shut down across the three states. Trees and telephone poles are uprooted. Power lines are down. Many areas are expected to be without electricity or gas for several days. Early yesterday evening, the weather service put out storm warnings. A strong cold front was approaching a strong warm front, causing at least ten separate tornadoes as well as huge downpours. Many area residents are shaking their heads today. I looked out the picture window at sunset and saw two twisters coming my way, recalled Mabel Brown. I just grabbed my cats and raced for the cellar. As it turned out, the storm bypassed Mrs. Brown s home, but she had heard trees cracking and glass crashing. She sat under a table with her pets for what seemed like hours, she said. Actually it was just a few minutes. A day after the tornado had passed, Mrs. Brown said, The neighborhood is a mess. Still, I m grateful that everyone is safe, and their houses are all standing. On the whole, we were very, very lucky. Turn the page. Fresh Reads Unit 1 Week 2 A 11
Answer the questions below. 1 What is the author s main purpose in this selection? A to entertain the reader B to inform the reader with the latest news C to warn the reader about tornadoes D to tell the reader how to survive a tornado 2 Which of the following does the author use most to make the selection informative? F short paragraphs and varied information G technical terms and scientific information H weather facts and historical information J complex paragraphs and geographic information 3 What was the author s main purpose in writing the paragraph that begins Early yesterday evening? A to catch the reader s attention B to explain the cause of the tornadoes C to describe the area after the tornado D to list problems the tornadoes caused 4 Why did Mrs. Brown feel as if she had been in the basement for hours instead of minutes? 5 Give one reason why you think the author quoted Mabel Brown. 12 Fresh Reads Unit 1 Week 2 A