Decodable Passages

FOR HD WORD

For use with HD Word and HD Word Plus

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 1

 Really Great Reading

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Copyright © 2021 Really Great Reading ®

Curriculum Development Team:

Jim Addison, M.Ed., Janeen Hergert, M.Ed., Amy E. Vanden Boogart, Ed.D.

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or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher.

Printed in the U.S.A.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC ii

Table of Contents

Overview v
Features vi
Using the HD Word Decodable Passages vi
Building Fluency vii
Tracking Chart x
Words to Preview By Unit xi
Passages  1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
24
25
26
27
28

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC iii

Table of Contents

Unit 24: The Challenge 29

Unit 25: Fearless 31
Unit 26: Bestseller! 32
Unit 27: Prizewinner 33
Unit 28: Incomplete Report 34
Unit 29: Superhero Propeller 35
Unit 30: Unlikely Suspect 36
Unit 31: Lightning Bolt 37
Unit 32: Dear Diary 38
Comprehension Questions  39

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC iv

Introduction to HD Word
Decodable Passages

Overview
HD Word is a set of lessons that efficiently teaches the
foundational skills that lead to strong decoding and fluent,
accurate reading. The lessons systematically teach the essential QUICK FACTS
phonics structures that unlock the English code in both simple
and complex words. While the focus of HD Word is word study
(phonics and phonemic awareness), there is a high rate of
transfer to students’ skills in other areas of reading, such as fluency WHAT?
and comprehension. The net effect is faster, more accurate, and
more confident readers. The lessons have the ability to transform 32 strictly controlled
a student’s ability to accurately read complex words. passages, one for
HD Word lessons are designed for 2nd-5th grade students who
each unit in our
need more support and practice with the foundational reading HD Word Teacher
skills than what they typically get in their daily reading and Guides, Units 1132.
language arts instruction, or for older struggling readers (Grades
*Also includes 4 passages
5–12) who have slipped through the cracks and have gaps in for the Alternative
their basic reading skills that are holding them back from being Introductory Units.
proficient and accurate readers. When taught in Grades 2–5, HD
Word is considered prevention, or early intervention. HD Word
instruction can get these students on the right track for successful
decoding before they reach middle school. When taught in WHEN?
older grades, HD Word is considered intervention. The instruction
can fill in gaps in students’ phonics knowledge and make up for After Lesson 3 and/
poor or no phonics instruction in the earlier grades. or Lesson 4 of each
corresponding
The HD Word Decodable Passages are strictly controlled stories
that align with the phonics skills taught in HD Word. This means HD Word unit has
that each unit’s passage only includes words with phonics been taught.
concepts that your students have learned how to read, grade-
appropriate high-frequency words, and up to six additional
words that are previewed ahead of reading. The passages
provide students with longer, connected-text opportunities to
WHERE?
apply the skills they are learning in HD Word.
Can be used in the
In addition to the decodable, or readable, words, the
passages include high-frequency words from the pre-primer,
classroom, in small
primer, first, and second grade Dolch 220 high-frequency groups, or sent
word lists. The passages may also include up to six high- home for practice.
frequency words from the third grade Dolch 220 lists and non-
decodable words (according to the scope and sequence).
Those words are listed at the top of the page for you to preview
with your students before reading the passage and they are
underlined in the passages.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC v

As students develop mastery and automaticity with the skills taught in
HD Word, the HD Word Decodable Passages can be used to reinforce
Sample
these skills, to provide opportunities for practice, and, ideally, to build Schedule:
fluency. Students will also gain confidence as readers. Reading text
controlled for the specific skills students have already learned allows
Instructional
them to read with success, leading to confidence and the willingness Additions to the
to tackle more difficult text in the future.
Teacher Guide
Features Feel free to use this sample
schedule to organize your
WORDS TO PREVIEW students’ practice with the
As mentioned above, up to six words from the 3rd grade Dolch 220 list additional instructional
and words that have not been explicitly taught in the HD Word lessons activities available in
appear in a “Words to Preview” section at the top of each passage. HD Word Online. These
In the passages, these words will be in gray text. The teacher should activities allow you to
review these words with the students several times before reading provide additional practice
the passage. Since students are not expected to know these words, and support for your
the teacher may read these words to the students when they are students as necessary.
encountered in the passage if necessary. Optionally, the teacher may
consider devoting some instructional time to teaching words that LESSON 1
frequently appear in the passages. See Words to Preview in the chart • Heart Word Magic
on page xii for a list of these words for each passage. Spelling Templates/
Activities
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
You can use the comprehension questions on page 35 to help students LESSON 3
practice extracting meaning from the passages for Units 1-32. • Cold Read of Decodable
Passage

Using the HD Word Decodable Passages • Introduce Spelling Words

(Spell It! Templates)
The HD Word Passages can be used in the classroom, in small groups,
or for practice at home. Each passage aligns with a unit from HD Word. LESSON 4
Once students have completed the Phonics Concept Lesson (Lesson • Practice Read of
3 or Lesson 4) for the aligned unit, they can use the corresponding Decodable Passage
passage to practice the concept learned in that unit. For instance, •P
 ractice Spelling Words
the passage Thad? is for students who have completed HD Word Unit (Spell It! Templates)
1. After completion of the Phonics Concept lessons in Unit 1, students •C
 hallenge Words
should have learned everything they need to decode the words in that
passage accurately, except for the Words to Preview. LESSON 5
Before asking students to read the passage, review the words in • Warm Read of Decodable
Passage
the “Words to Preview” section several times. You should read and
pronounce these words for your students and provide definitions or •W
 rite/build spelling words
example sentences to clarify the meaning of any unfamiliar words. •D
 ictation Sentences
Students should then practice reading the passages aloud, focusing on
reading each word accurately.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC vi

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
Once students have read through a passage with you, incorporate other opportunities to
practice with the text. Some ideas for additional practice include:

• Underlining a new phonics concept in words, such as digraph th 2-sound blends, or Consonant-le

• Highlighting words containing a certain feature, such as short a or Open Syllables

• Drawing a line to separate the syllables of multisyllabic words

• Reading to a partner

• Reading silently

• Reading to someone at home

• Using the comprehension questions on page 35 to help students practice extracting meaning
from the passages for Units 1-32

Building Fluency
When children read accurately, their comprehension improves because they are correctly
interpreting the words on the page. Helping your child identify incorrectly read words as they
read aloud helps them understand how important it is to read each word correctly.

The two most important pieces of fluency are accuracy and speed. The focus should always be
on accuracy first, and then speed can be addressed. Using the oral reading procedure listed
below will help your child achieve this goal. You should also be aware of modeling prosody, the
third component of reading fluency, as you are working through the passages with students.

ONE-MINUTE COLD READ (FIRST READING, AFTER LESSON 3 OR 4)

It would be useful to print two copies of the passage before starting so that you and
your student can each have your own copy. You will be marking errors on your copy.

Using the passage for the unit your students are currently working on, have the student first read
the passage aloud after Lesson 3 or 4. During this read:

1. Preview the “Words to Preview” at the top left of the passage with students. This will help
them read these words more smoothly when they encounter them in the passage.

2. The student reads the passage independently and aloud.

3. As the student reads, mark any errors they make.

a. If the student reads a word incorrectly or skips a word, cross that word out. However, if
they correct the word on their own, do not count it as an error.

b. If the student adds a word, write the word in where it was added.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC vii

4. After the initial reading, review errors with the student, explaining what was misread and
giving the student the opportunity to reread the sentences that were misread on the initial
reading.

5. Chart the student’s Accuracy Percentage using the chart on p. x of this document.

a. Calculating Accuracy Percentage:

Words Correct Number of

Accuracy
(total words in total words
Percentage
passage - errors) in the passage

b. Charting with the Tracking Chart

i. Record the date on the “Date” line

Sample Tracking Chart
ii. Record the Accuracy % for the passage
Name:

your student just read Date

Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm
10/3 10/5 10/10 10/12 10/17 10/19 10/24 10/26 10/31 11/2 11/7 11/9 11/14 11/16
Words Read Correctly ÷ Words Attempted = Accuracy Percentage

iii. Have
 the student color in the vertical Accuracy

100%
91 % 92 % 89 % 93 % 95 % 97 % 96 % 99 % 98 % 100% 98 % 99 % 98 % 100%

bar from the bottom of the section UP

99%
98%
97%

TO their accuracy percentage for the

96%
95%
94%

passage the student just read

93%
92%
91%
90%
89%
88%
87%

PRACTICE READS 86%

85% or below

(Reading Throughout the Week) Date

Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm
11/21 11/23
Words Read Correctly ÷ Words Attempted = Accuracy Percentage

Throughout the week, have students practice 97 99

Accuracy

100%
% % % % % % % % % % % % % %

99%

reading the same passage aloud independently 98%

97%

to you or another adult at school or at home. If

96%
95%
94%

possible, have them read aloud to you so you

93%
92%
91%

can address errors. Adults should model fluent,

90%
89%
88%

accurate reading with strong expression, phrasing,

87%
86%
85% or below

and pacing for the students. Have the student © 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC ix

reread sentences accurately once their errors are

addressed and corrected. For these practice reads, students should read the whole passage
so they are able to practice reading all the words in the passage. These practice reads are NOT
recorded on the Tracking Chart.

WARM READ (Last Reading, End of the Week)

Follow the same procedure as in the Cold Read, including calculating the Accuracy
Percentage and then charting it. The goal is for accuracy to increase throughout the week.
Accuracy is the most important aspect of fluency; speed will come with more practice of
accurate reading. Students should also see an improvement in their prosody from the cold read
to the warm read, as they have practiced reading with appropriate phrasing, expression, and
pacing throughout the week.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC viii

Sample Tracking Chart
Name: 

Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm
Date 10/3 10/5 10/10 10/12 10/17 10/19 10/24 10/26 10/31 11/2 11/7 11/9 11/14 11/16
Words Read Correctly ÷ Words Attempted = Accuracy Percentage
Accuracy 91 % 92 % 89 % 93 % 95 % 97 % 96 % 99 % 98 % 100% 98 % 99 % 98 % 100%
100%
99%
98%
97%
96%
95%
94%
93%
92%
91%
90%
89%
88%
87%
86%
85% or below

Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm
Date 11/21 11/23
Words Read Correctly ÷ Words Attempted = Accuracy Percentage
Accuracy 97 % 99 % % % % % % % % % % % % %

100%
99%
98%
97%
96%
95%
94%
93%
92%
91%
90%
89%
88%
87%
86%
85% or below
© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC ix
Tracking Chart
Name: 

Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm
Date

Words Read Correctly ÷ Words Attempted = Accuracy Percentage

Accuracy % % % % % % % % % % % % % %

100%
99%
98%
97%
96%
95%
94%
93%
92%
91%
90%
89%
88%
87%
86%
85% or below

Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm Cold Warm
Date

Words Read Correctly ÷ Words Attempted = Accuracy Percentage

Accuracy % % % % % % % % % % % % % %

100%
99%
98%
97%
96%
95%
94%
93%
92%
91%
90%
89%
88%
87%
86%
85% or below
© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC x
Words to Preview by Unit
HD Word Passage Words to Preview

Alt Unit 1: My Pet Ben best, fast, time, still, love

Alt Unit 2: Beth and Sam line, glad
Alt Unit 3: Digraph Rap sky, thus
Alt Unit 4: The Gold Chest gold, thief, near, full, sky
Unit 1: Thad? around, ow, throw, funny, away, hear
Unit 2: The Bad Trick going, funny, under, drink, sorry, again
Unit 3: Lunch at the Mall open, pink, done, full
Unit 4: Basketball Contest player, most, other, shoot, hoop
Unit 5: Secret Robot really, room, costume, together, only, true
Unit 6: Fossil Quest kind, something, along, shovel, believe, keep
Unit 7: Wake-Up Plan only, ready, room, evacuate, sure
Unit 8: The Lost Necklace through, sang, member, apologize, book, cover
Unit 9: Chimpanzee Display zoo, front, sign, termite, zookeeper, more
Unit 10: Ollie Meets a Beast today, birds, comes
Unit 11: Win a Trip! welcome, true, false, host, question, almost
Unit 12: Daily Forecast today, weather, change, shelter
Unit 13: The Perfect Quirky Dessert today, guests, oven
Unit 14: Earth Day founder, today, together, gloves, ready
Unit 15: Superhero Ruth about, guess
Unit 16: Poison Dart Frog dangerous, kinds, length, colors, tongue
Unit 17: Sunflowers loose, water, germinate, drought, mature, angle
Unit 18: Bigfoot? Carolina, thought, tonight, walking, front, face
Unit 19: Aubrey’s Autograph walked, glove, thank, face, chance, decided
Unit 20: Cinquain Poetry placeholder, friend, control, character, hungry
Unit 21: The Greedy Angler water, chance, talking, decide, head, learned
Unit 22: Unbelievable Comeback Announcer, whistle, resume, continue, minutes, comeback
Unit 23: Erosion scientist, forces, water, mountain, others
Unit 24: The Challenge explained, ready, pedaled, move, knew, won
Unit 25: Fearless knew, told, color, wrap, wrapped, sign
Unit 26: Bestseller! few, engine, radio, sorry
Unit 27: Prizewinner science, lava, builds, tie, kind
Unit 28: Incomplete Report brother, younger, together, tomorrow
Unit 29: Superhero Propeller officials, people, others, danger, water, wonderful
Unit 30: Unlikely Suspect diamonds, says, someone, already, enough, only
Unit 31: Lightning Bolt wondered, people, million, months, thumb, water
Unit 32: Dear Diary house, justice, listened, imagined, thought

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC xi

  Syllables: Short Vowels
Closed
Focus alternative unit
unit #
1
Words to Preview 106 Words
best, fast, time, still, love

My Pet Ben
Ben is my pet cat. He is a good cat but not the best. He will win if we play tag. He will not sit when I say
sit. We have a lot of fun when we run in the mud. Ben can make a big mess. Ben is fun but can make us
mad. He can run fast and jump. When I am sad, Ben will sit by me all the time. When I eat, Ben will beg.
Ben is a good cat but not the best. Ben may not be the best, but I still love him. Can you get a pet like Ben?

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 1

 Chunk all; Digraphs sh & th
Focus alternative unit
unit #
2
Words to Preview 142 Words
line, glad

Beth and Sam

Beth and Sam sat on the wall and bet on who will get a big fish.

“If I win, I will get cash, “Beth said. “If you win, you will get gum.”

“Gum? Is that all?” Sam said.

Beth sat a bit but then had to rush. Did Beth get a big fish? Not yet.

Sam had a fish but was mad. It was as thin as a dish.

“The sun will set and I did not get a fish yet,” Beth said to Sam.

“Yes! I will win the bet!” Sam said.

“You wish!” Beth said.

Beth had a tug on her line and had to dash.

“Get the net! This fish is in a rush!” Beth said.

The big fish fell in the net, and Beth was glad.

“Good job, Beth. You win the bet. This was fun!” Sam said.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 2

 
Digraphs
Focus sh, th, ch, wh, ph, ck alternative unit
unit #
3
Words to Preview 74 Words
sky, thus

Digraph Rap
Whiz, whip, dash, mash
What was that?

Chin, bin, sick, thick

Is that a bat?

Ship, shop, wish, dish

That is not a bell.

Shed, bed, shock, lock

It can not be a shell.

Such, much, thud, mud

It is big like a ship.

When, ten, mop, chop

In the sky, it can zip.

Chess, mess, thus, bus

I think I have a bet.

Chip, tip, chat, that

I think it is a jet!

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 3

  Blends
2-Sound
Focus alternative unit
unit #
4
Words to Preview 198 Words
gold, thief, near, full, sky

The Gold Chest

A thief left a stash of gold in a chest and hid it next to a cliff. Grant and Clem left and went west. On this
quest, they want to track the chest, dig it up, and lug the stash of gold back to Grand Rock.

“I bet this is all a trick,” Grant said to Clem. “What if no gold was left?”

“Just dig, Grant. It has to be the spot,” Clem said back. “The map said the stash is next to the cliff.”

SWISH!

Grant let out a big gasp when he saw a black clump dash by his leg.

“Hush. It was just a bug. Dig! I know we are near the gold.” Clem said.

Grant did the brunt of the task. He dug and dug and…

CRACK!

“Help, Clem. I think I hit a rock!” Grant said.

It was not a rock. Clem and Grant hit the chest full of gold. Grant dug it up and slid the chest to the grass.

“We did it!” Clem said as he held gold in his hand.

THUD!

A gust of wind shut the chest, and the sky went black. Was the thief back for his gold?

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 4

 Digraphs & Short Vowels unit 1
Words to Preview Characters 191 Words
around, ow, throw, funny, away, hear Rick, Nick, Thad, Narrator

Thad?
Narrator: Nick and Rick were out on a walk. They did not have a ball to kick around. Nick found a big

round rock by an old red shed.

Rick: Hey Nick! Chuck the rock to me!

Nick: Rick! Duck down!

Narrator: THUD! A rock hit Rick in the back.

Rick: Ow!!! I did not want you to chuck it like that!

Nick: I did not throw it! See? I still have the rock.

Rick: This is not funny. That could have hit my chin.

Narrator: Soon, Nick and Rick went around the old red shed to find a new path to play on.

Nick saw the back of a neck rush away from them. It was Thad. He ran away from Rick and Nick as quick
as he could.

Rick: You were right! Why would Thad do that? I don’t get it.

Nick: I don’t know, but I am glad you know it was not me.

Narrator: Just then, Nick and Rick hear a THUD!

Thad: Ow!! Who just hit me with a rock?

Narrator: Nick and Rick now know it was not Thad who did it. Who could it be?

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 5

 2-Sound Blends & Digraph Blends unit 2
Words to Preview 200 Words
going, funny, under, drink, sorry, again

The Bad Trick

Brent and Trent had a plan to trick Jack.

“Give me his milk! I have a plan,” Brent said. “I am going to trick Jack and put this fly in his milk. It will
be funny!”

Jack sat back down on the blue bench. Brent and Trent snuck under the bench to see if Jack would drink
his milk.

“What is this speck in my milk?” Jack said. “Yuck! I think I am going to be sick.”

He got up from the bench and left to get a new milk. He ran back to his spot. Brent and Trent crept out
from under the blue bench.

“Trent, did you drop a fly in my milk? Jack held the glass of milk up with his hand and saw a black fleck on
the rim.

“You were going to let me drink a fly? Please do not do that again!”

“I am sorry, Jack,” Brent said.

“That was not a funny trick. We are sorry. Do you want to have some of my lunch?” Trent said.

Brent, Trent, and Jack sat on the bench and ate the rest of their lunch. Brent and Trent said they will not
play that trick again.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 6

 Trigraphs -tch & -dge and 3-Sound Blends unit 3
Words to Preview 176 Words
face, told

Fudge
Madge made a batch of fudge in the big Dutch pot. She put in a pinch of this and a dash of that. I had a
wedge from the scraps so I could judge if it was good. The fudge was rich, soft, and so good. Then, the
fudge made the edge of my hand itch. I found a red patch on my neck and a splotch on my face, and I had
to scratch the itch. The fudge was good, but it had nuts in it! I had to sprint to mom. She would give me a
shot so I would not get sick. I would have to splash and scrub my face and neck too. I told Madge, “Your
fudge is good, but it has nuts, and nuts make me itch.” Madge put the fudge up on a ledge, and I sat down
to rest for a bit. When the itch and the red patch left, I felt top notch. Madge and I made a new batch of
fudge with no nuts for us to split. Yum!

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 7

 2- & 3-Syllable Closed Syllable Words unit 4
Words to Preview 232 Words
player, most, other, shoot, hoop

Basketball Contest
The basketball contest is here! The player to finish with the most shots made is going to win! I think about
how athletic the other players are, but I am here to finish first. I get to shoot ten balls at the basket.

I was sluggish at first. My first four shots struck the edge of the rim but did not go in.

Splash! My first basket.

Swish! The next ball goes in. Now, I have four shots left.

The next ball contacts the rim and insists on going in. The player to my left compliments my shot. I want
to have a fantastic finish in the contest, so I take the next ball and stop to think. I have three shots left.

I look up at the rim and pick up the basketball. I extend my hand and send the shot to the hoop. The
basketball goes in! I have two shots left.

The next shot looks like it will vanish into the net, but it does not drop in.

If I get the last shot in, I will win the contest. I inspect the hoop and step away from the ball. I step up,
grasp the ball, and pull it up by my neck. I let go and see it fly into the net!

SWISH!

I was sluggish at first, but I am glad that I did not give up.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 8

 2- & 3-Syllable Closed & Open Syllable Words unit 5
Words to Preview 149 Words
really, room, costume, together, only, true

Secret Robot
If you had a secret robot, what would you do?
Would you really like to have one? I would too.

If I had a secret robot, we would play Nintendo

Or sing and play music with my old brown banjo.

We could tidy up my messy room

Or dress up in a crazy costume.

My robot would be tall and could protect me

And always know when to be sad or be funny.

When I am mad, my robot would ask me why

And be there for me when I think I could cry.

I could depend on my robot

To help and be my mascot.

If I had a secret robot, we would have a blast.

The fun we would have together would go by too fast.

If you had a secret robot, what would you do?

I would hug my secret robot if only it was true.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 9

 2–4-Syllable Closed & Open Syllable Words with Schwa unit 6
Words to Preview Characters 228 Words
kind, something, along, shovel, believe, keep Narrator, Shannon, Winston

Fossil Quest
Narrator: Shannon and Winston are at the Grand Canyon to look for a fossil. Shannon has an atlas to

take them to a secret spot where they begin the quest!

Shannon: What kind of fossil do you think we are going to find? I am optimistic we are going to find a

fossil of an uncommon fish.

Winston: I bet we are going to find something big like the skeleton of a mammoth.

Narrator: Winston pulls the wagon along as…

Shannon: I see something in that rock! Give me the shovel. I think I see something!

Narrator: Shannon sees a speck of what could be a fossil. Winston cannot believe how lucky they are.

Winston: Quick! We have to get it unstuck. I bet it is a remnant of a skull. Pry it out! This is going to

be epic.

Shannon: You know, you could help me…

Narrator: All of a sudden, Winston and Shannon extract something that was not a fossil after all.

Winston: All of this…. for a filthy NICKEL?

Narrator: Shannon put the nickel in her pocket.

Shannon: It is not a filthy nickel. It is MY nickel. Come on! I recommend we keep going. It is a big

canyon to look in.

Narrator: Winston and Shannon pull the wagon along and keep going on their quest to find a fossil.

Will they find one?

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 10

 2–4-Syllable Words with VCE unit 7
Words to Preview 207 Words
only, ready, room, evacuate, sure

Wake-Up Plan
Does your sibling wake up too late? On this episode of “How to Wake Your Sibling Up,” Zeke will tell
us five plans he made that will help you accomplish your task of getting your sibling out of bed before
lunchtime.

*Be careful, this plan could make your sibling frustrated or irate. Your sibling may find this plan to be
impolite, so be careful! Only read this plan if you are aware of how livid your sibling may be with you.
Be ready to apologize.

1. Take an instrument, like a saxophone or trombone, and play it at your maximum volume.

2. Rush into his or her room in a fireman costume and yell, “Evacuate! The volcano is going
to explode!”

3. Find a stampede of buffalo to parade by your sibling’s bedside. Don’t let them escape!

4. Have a lemonade stand in your sibling’s room. Invite all of Boston!

5. Put an old fishbone by their bedside. The smell will have them up in no time at all!

Be careful because this plan could aggravate your sibling. Make sure to educate your sibling. You just did
this because you did not want them to be late! Be ready to apologize if you use this insane plan.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 11

 2–4-Syllable Words with VCE Spelling Schwa unit 8
Words to Preview Characters 390 Words
through, sang, member, apologize, book, cover Narrator, Kate Wallace, King Ogdon, Attendant

The Lost Necklace

Narrator: Once upon a time in the village of Ellington, the King’s wife Kate Wallace lost her necklace. To her, this
was catastrophic. The necklace was handmade with the best craftsmanship from Italy. She ran across the village to
tell King Ogdon. As she got to the massive palace, she saw King Ogdon at his desk. By the kitchen, a minstrel sang in
French. The minstrel left when she saw Kate walk in, and the music began to fade.

King Ogdon: Kate! It is so good to see you, but you look upset. Please, take a rest in the palace. My attendant will
fetch you a refreshment.

Kate: King Ogdon, we have the ultimate problem. I have lost my necklace. I had to sprint through the entire village to
give you this message. I think the attendant stole it!

King Ogdon: Are you positive?

Kate: Well, you see, King Ogdon, I saw your servant by my luggage, and I think he was going to rummage through it. I
left to fetch some cabbage from the kitchen, and when I came back, the necklace was missing! Will you investigate?

King Ogdon: It is not like my attendant to misbehave. I will call for every member of the village to investigate every
cottage. Please give me adequate time and we will find it.

Narrator: Every member of the village began to look for the necklace. It was effective. King Ogdon saw the attendant
sprint back to the palace.

Attendant: I have the necklace, King Ogdon! Please give this back to Kate. I know this may confuse her that I have
it. I went to every cottage in the village of Ellington. I saw the minstrel that sang to you sprint away from her cottage.
When I got inside her cottage, the necklace was in her luggage. I think she was going to escape!

King Ogdon: I think it is time to apologize to the attendant, Kate. The attendant did not confiscate the necklace.
There is an old adage: Don’t judge a book by its cover.

Kate: I must apologize. I was thinking that it was the attendant, but it was the minstrel the entire time.

Narrator: Every member of the village was happy, and Kate became attentive to her necklace. The minstrel, you ask?
She did not come to the palace again.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 12

 Vowel Teams: ai, ay, ee, ea, igh, ow, oa unit 9
Words to Preview 309 Words
zoo, front, sign, termite, zookeeper, more

Chimpanzee Display
Kathy and I leave the seat of the jeep and make our way to the gate of the zoo. We finally get to see the
chimpanzee display at the Tennessee Zoo!

“Follow me!” I scream. I feel so giddy that I am nearly speechless. As we approach the display, I hear the
animal.

The chimpanzee is right in front of us! Kathy and I stand close to the chain that will keep us away from
the inside of the display.

To the right of the display, we see a beam that has a sign for us to read.

“A chimpanzee is an animal you could see in West Africa. Would you want to feed a chimpanzee? A
chimpanzee will eat a seed, a green leaf, or meat. A chimpanzee might strip a branch with its teeth and put
the stick in a termite heap. This will help the chimpanzee bait a meal!

At night, the chimpanzee will sleep high in a tree. Meet Gabby, a happy but messy fifteen-year-old
chimpanzee. She is playful too! Please do not try to feed her.”

Gabby is beneath an oak tree. Kathy and I agree that she does not seem to fear us. We see a zookeeper
appear inside the display. We think he will clean the messy pen.

“I am Randy. I am the zookeeper that will feed and care for Gabby.” He put a peach in a bowl next to the
chimpanzee. Gabby eats it as fast as a speedy train.

“It is time to go home,” we hear.

We sneak to the edge of the display for one more peek. I am afraid I will not see her again. Kathy and I
jump into the backseat of the jeep.

“This has been the best day of my life! I hope we can see Gabby again soon. Next weekend?” I ask.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 13

 Vowel Teams: ie, ey; Vowel Teams Review unit 10
Words to Preview 305 Words
today, birds, comes

Ollie Meets a Beast

Meet Ollie, a man with goals, dreams, and a boat. Ollie sails the high seas each day, just like he did when
he was a small lad. Ollie sails night and day to seek thrills.

Today, Ollie wants to meet this same goal as he floats over each wave. Ollie gets on his boat, kicks away
from the pier, and sets sail for a thrill.

Birds fly high and fish creep by. This is not the sight Ollie dreams of. This is not thrilling.

One day, Ollie gets his wish. Ollie sees a massive mean beast leap from below. It jumps way up, and then it
comes right back down. Ollie is in disbelief as the beast keeps leaping.

Ollie cannot fathom what he sees, but he wants to see it all. The wind does not blow, so the sails cannot
propel the ship. Bait may be the key. Ollie must bait the beast with his sandwich so that it will come close.

The bait does the trick! The beast does come to Ollie’s boat. As the beast gets near, Ollie fears that it may
want extra to eat. The bait will not be all the beast will want. It seems the beast might get mad at Ollie!

The beast gets to the boat. It peers at Ollie with glowing yellow pupils. It shrieks, yelps, and spits foam.
Ollie was nosey…and now he might pay for it!

On his boat and miles from home, Ollie has no hope for a save.

“I don’t want conflict,” Ollie yelps. “I want to meet you, not to fight! I bet you feel the same way!”

What a relief—Ollie’s belief is right! The beast does not want to fight. It comes to a rest, and its pupils stop
glowing. The beast shrieks, sweetly this time, to say, “Hello.”

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 14

 1–3-Syllable Words with /or/ spelled or & /ar/ spelled ar unit 11
Words to Preview Characters 360 Words
welcome, true, false, host, question, almost Dora, Arnold, Carl

Win a Trip!
Dora: Welcome to the show ‘True or False.’ I am the host, and my name is Dora. In this episode, Arnold and Carl
will compete for a grand prize to embark on a trip! Arnold, where do you hope the trip will send you if you win?

Arnold: I want to go to Bora Bora and stay at a resort.

Dora: Carl?

Carl: I hope I win a trip to Oregon. I could march into a dark cave or marvel at a historic landmark.

Dora: It is time to start. This question is for Arnold. True or False: The fin on top of a shark is the dorsal fin.

Arnold: This is a hard question, but I am from Florida, so I know this. True!

Dora: That is correct! This question is for Carl. True or False. Charcoal is a black rock that has a form of carbon.

Carl: False.

Dora: I am sad to say you are not correct. It is time for your next question, Arnold. If you get this question correct,
you win! True or False: You can find cartilage in your ear.

Arnold: My ear does not feel like it is made of hard bone, so I think you can find cartilage in your ear. I am going
to say TRUE!

Dora: Correct! You win! Do you want to know where your prize trip will take you?

Arnold: Yes, please!

Dora: You will depart from your home in Florida and embark on a trip to Norway! You will need a passport.
When you are there, you can hike in the forest, relax at a resort, and even see a landmark, like a fortress. I almost
forgot. You can snorkel near the coast too.

Carl: Good job, Arnold. I bet you will have a blast.

Dora: That is true sportsmanship, Carl. Because you were on True or False, you win a prize too! You will get a pail
of popcorn.

Carl: Popcorn? I wish I could go to Norway.

Arnold: You can come with me. We can eat the popcorn on the way. Come on!

Dora: There you have it. Thank you for viewing ‘True or False!’

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 15

 1–3-Syllable Words with /or/ spelled or, our, ore, oor, and oar
& / r/ spelled ar, are, air, and ear
unit 12
Words to Preview 256 Words
today, weather, change, shelter

Daily Forecast
My name is Garret, and I will be sharing today’s forecast for Arizona, North Carolina, and Delaware. Will
you need to prepare for the heat, a scary storm, or an ordinary day?

In Arizona, the heat is alarming today! Arizona is pretty arid, so rain is rare and the air is dry. It will be
a good day to sit on the porch and have a glass of cold tea. Believe me, you will want to put on adequate
sunscreen if you visit the Grand Canyon. Before four, do an indoor activity to forget the heat.

The weather in North Carolina will change, and in the east, a storm will form. Prepare by going to the
store and forming a plan to stay safe. Beware that this storm could roar. This is no ordinary storm. Seek
shelter, and do not ignore the rarity of this scary storm. It is unclear if high winds or hail will be seen.

Near Delaware, expect ordinary but delightful weather this morning. Rain will disappear by lunchtime,
and then sunshine will appear. This is the norm for this time of the year. It is a good day to play basketball,
skateboard, hike, or take your boat for a drive. There is no reason to complain!

Be aware of the weather before you go out the door today. Always prepare and be wary if a storm is going to
form near you.

Today, we got to compare the weather in Arizona, North Carolina, and Delaware. Will the weather be fair
near you?

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 16

 1–3-Syllable Words with /er/ spelled er, ir, ur, ear unit 13
Words to Preview 275 Words
today, guests, oven

The Perfect Quirky Dessert

Have you heard of the perfect dessert? Today, you will learn how to make the perfect burnt hamburger
cake that will make your guests burp and squirm for more.

1. F
 irst, search for Carl, the clerk, to give you liverwurst, yogurt, dirt, two burnt hamburgers, and a
turnip before you begin. Return to this paper later when you have it all.

2. Stir the dirt into the yogurt until it is dark. Twirl one burnt hamburger over the yogurt. If you do
not have dirt, that is fine. It will not matter.

3. F
 or a lighter dessert, hurl in one turnip or thirty of them. Remember to stir firmly. If you do not
have a turnip, that is fine. A green plant, like clover, will do just fine.

4. L
 ayer liverwurst and the second burnt hamburger on top to cover the absurd dessert, and put it in a
pan. If you cannot remember a step, that is fine. It does not matter if you forget.

5. Now, put the dessert in the oven and turn up the heat. You want the dessert to burn, so do not
disturb it. The hotter it is, the better it will be. If you misheard this absurd step, that is fine. It does
not have to be burnt to a crisp.

6. L
 ast, serve your dessert to Carl. He will eat burnt hamburger cake. If you cannot find Carl, that is
fine. Search for Wilbur. He will eat the quirky dessert too.

Some say this dessert is quirky, but I think it is perfect. Did you make this perfect burnt hamburger
dessert? If not, that is fine. I understand.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 17

 Cumulative Review of Spellings for R-Controlled Vowel Phonemes
/or/, /ar/, and /er/
unit 14
Words to Preview 250 Words
founder, today, together, gloves, ready

Earth Day
History

Wisconsin governor Gaylord Nelson was the founder of the first Earth Day on Thursday, April 22nd,
1969. On your calendar, you can mark April 22nd each year because Earth Day is on the same day each
year. Nelson did not understand why we would want to live in a world with dirty air and garbage harming
the Earth. Nelson was a firm believer in the ability of teamwork to lead to a better and cleaner Earth.
Today, leadership from all over the world helps organize fieldwork to clean up our world together.

Teamwork

Do you think Earth Day is worthy and important? Regardless of where you are on Earth, your help is part
of what can make Earth Day effective. Show leadership and organize a clean-up event to pick up harmful
garbage and throw it in the trash. It does not matter if you just want to explore your backyard or if you
want to explore farther away. Wear gloves because some garbage may have sharp edges. It may be smart to
use a cart to pick up harmful garbage faster and make a bigger impact. Perhaps you could start early in the
morning so you have more time to work, rather than waiting until dark. Regardless of whether you work
for the federal government or not, you can partake in Earth Day. Mark your calendar and together we can
make Earth Day a popular way to serve the Earth. Are you ready to explore how you can help?

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 18

 2–4-Syllable Words with Other Vowel Phoneme /�/ unit 15
Words to Preview 227 Words
about, guess

Superhero Ruth
My name is Ruth, and I have always had a dream to be a superhero. Have you? I assume you have.
Who would not want to zoom across the sky like a torpedo?

For me, the dream to be a superhero all began when I saw an alarming story in the newspaper that a foolish
man stole jewelry from a store in Massachusetts. Rumor has it that this man is elusive, which means he is
hard to catch. If only I could help. If I was a superhero, it would be my duty to catch the burglar. I can see
it now.

My brain began to drift off...

Flash!

A bright red cape swoops down from the branch of a tall tree. In an instant, Ruth the Superhero is here to
give hope. She can kick, dodge, slide, distract, and best of all, absolutely no one can stop her.

Boom!

Ruth has the arm of the jewelry bandit and is about to grab the loot to go back to the jewelry store.

“Foolish bandit. You cannot elude me. I am Ruth, and I am...”

“Late for dinner,” My mom yells. I remember that I am in my bedroom, and I feel a little goofy. I guess my
time to be a superhero will come.

Poof!

Ruth swoops down from her room and into the kitchen for dinner.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 19

 2–4-Syllable Words with Other Vowel Phoneme /oi/ unit 16
Words to Preview 203 Words
dangerous, kinds, length, colors, tongue

Poison Dart Frog

Dangerous

Poison dart frogs are very dangerous. They could kill 10 grown men or 20,000 mice with their poison!
There are more than 100 different kinds of poison dart frogs. They may only be around one inch in
length, you want to avoid them at all costs. They have many different bright colors as a way to show
predators to stay away!

Habitat

No, you will not find any poison dart frogs in Detroit. They are located in moist tropical rainforests.
Many poison dart frogs live on the forest floor, but some live high in the trees. This is called the canopy.
Poison dart frogs also live in marshes, shrublands, and swamps.

What They Eat

How do they have poison? Experts are not totally confident they know why. Some experts think the
poison is from the bugs they eat. The poison dart frog deploys its sticky tongue to eat different kinds
of bugs. They eat crickets, ants, termites, and more!

Fun Facts

• Poison dart frogs normally live in forests for 4-6 years, but they can live up to 15 years.

• Their one predator is a type of snake!

• In captivity, poison dart frogs do not have poison. In fact, they can be pets!

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 20

 2–4-Syllable Words with Other Vowel Phoneme /ou/ unit 17
Words to Preview 225 Words
loose, water, germinate, drought, mature, angle

Sunflowers
Today, I would like to teach you how to plant, grow, and harvest sunflowers. These ten steps will have you
growing outstanding sunflowers in no time!

1. Locate a spot in your backyard where there is powerful afternoon sunlight.

2. Dig an inch or two into the soil and set the sunflower seeds in the trench in the ground.

3. You do not want the seeds to be crowded. Plant them around six inches apart.

4. Put an inch of loose dirt over the seeds.

5. This step is important. Water the seeds, but do not soak them. Check your forecast to see if a rain
shower or rainstorm is on its way. An inch of water a week will help the sunflower sprout,
or germinate.

6. S unflowers can tolerate a drought if the roots have grown; however, do not downplay the need
for water.

7. The sunflowers will get bigger for 80-120 days before they are mature.

8. If you would like to enjoy them inside, you can cut them before they bloom.

9. When you cut them, cut the stem at an angle.

10. B
 ring your cut sunflowers inside and admire them! It may take some work to grow sunflowers,
but you will not be disappointed.

Superb job! Think of giving a sunflower to a pal so they can admire your work too.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 21

 2–4-Syllable Words with Other Vowel Phoneme /�/ unit 18
Words to Preview 298 Words
Carolina, thought, tonight, walking, front, face

Bigfoot?
On the last night of camp, Andrew and April sat around the scorching hot campfire. As Andrew sat under
a redwood tree on a bumpy log, he could not stop looking into the bright fire. Arrowwood campground,
in the backwoods of South Carolina, was a bountiful forest where you could overlook the Elwood River.
As Andrew sat there, he thought about how happy he was to carve wood, make scrapbooks, have cookouts,
and hike during his time at camp.

“I just wish camp did not have to be over,” Andrew said to April.

“Who said the fun has to stop?” April hinted. “Let me tell you all a campfire story, one about the one and
only Bigfoot of Arrowwood!”

“Now this campfire is going to heat up! Let me hear it!” Andrew shouted.

April started.

“It all began on a night sort of like tonight. Two campers were out on a hike in the dark when they heard
a howl. As they kept walking, they saw big footprints in the dirt. They mistook the footprints for raccoon
footprints and kept walking. As they got closer, the howl grew louder. The redwoods shook and... POOF!
Bigfoot was standing right in front of them!”

“What a story! This is the part where you tell me it was just a camper in a costume, right?” Andrew said.

“Nope! Some say that Bigfoot of Arrowwood is still leaving his footprints around the forest,” April stated.

All of a sudden, a bush near Andrew began to shake, and he got a worried look on his face. “Andrew!
Where are you going?” April shouted.

Continued

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 22

 2–4-Syllable Words with Other Vowel Phoneme /�/ unit 18

As he sprinted away, Ruby and Luke, two more campers, made their way to the fire.

“Uh, what was that all about?” Ava asked.

“Don’t ask….” the campers all said.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 23

 2–4-Syllable Words with Other Vowel Phoneme /aw/ unit 19
Words to Preview 219 Words
walked, glove, thank, face, chance, decided

Aubrey’s Autograph
“Can I have your autograph?” a fan shouted out from the stands.

Aubrey Hawthorn, one of the best softball pitchers on the globe, walked past the fan while the crowd
applauded their pitcher. Her team was waiting for their pitcher to take the field, but as Aubrey walked by
the fan, she could see how much an authentic autograph would mean to her. She did not want this fan to
have an awful day because of her.

She walked away from the mound, over the lawn, and closer to the crowd.

“Where are you going? We have a game to start!” insisted the umpire.

“Kid! Throw me your glove,” Aubrey yelled. The fan flung her glove to where Aubrey stood. “What is your
name? Who is this autograph for?”

“Shawna,” the fan shouted out. “Thank you! This is the best day ever!”

Pausing, a smile overtook Aubrey’s face. As she walked back to the mound, the crowd applauded even
more. That game was Aubrey’s best yet. She was launching the ball better than ever, and the opposing team
had no chance. After the game, she decided to give a fan an autograph before every game, not because it
made her play her better, but because she wanted to make more fans smile like the one she saw that day.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 24

 Cumulative Review of 1–4-Syllable Words with Other Vowel
Phonemes: /�/, /oi/, /ou/, /�/ and /aw/
unit 20
Words to Preview 110 Words
friend, placeholder, control, character , hungry

Bookmark Superhero
Helpful, handy Loyal, fearless
Choosing, browsing, marking Leaping, soaring, launching
A bookworm’s best friend Masking who they are
Placeholder Superhuman

Newspaper Brownies
Truthful, daily Moist, chewy
Reporting, printing, reading Munching, enjoying, savoring,
Countless stories to choose A sweet chocolate treat
Booklet Delightful

Attitude Clouds
Grouchy, joyful Full, fluffy
Cheering, pouting, choosing Raining, pouring, soaking
We control our attitude Growing your garden plants
Character Vital

Asteroid Redwoods
Harmful, powerful Lofty, majestic
Booming, fast-flying, soaring Towering, humbling, astounding
Could destroy a township Marvels of the forest
Avoid! Spectacular

Raccoon Jewel
Sneaky, noisy Flawless, smooth
Snooping, prowling, searching Shimmering, glowing, beaming
Hungry for a snack A superb item indeed
Scoundrel Rare

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 25

 Reading 1–4-Syllable Words with Chunks:
-ang, -ing, -ong, -ung, -ank, -ink, -onk, -unk
unit 21
Words to Preview 266 Words
water, chance, talking, decide, head, learned

The Greedy Angler

There once was a greedy angler who went to fish along a riverbank near Hong Kong. His hunger made him
angry. He took a chunk of bait and tied it on a string.

TINK!

He flung the chunk of bait into the water. Before Hank, the greedy angler, had a chance to blink, a fish
clung on to the bait. The angler began to reel it in.

“This dinky fish? I am going to stay hungry if this is all I can bring back with me,” the angler shouted.
The angler swung a new chunk of bait into the water.

PLUNK!

A much bigger fish sprang out of the water and landed on the bank.

“Finally! A fish that will take my hunger away!” the angry angler said as he clung on to the fish.

“Let me go, and I will tell you where to find the best fish in the river. You will never be hungry again,” the
big fish said.

“A talking fish? I don’t know what to think! An even bigger fish you say?” the angler said. The angler had
to decide what to do.

“Fine, but you must take me there right now. This hunger is making me grouchy,” the angler said as he
flung the fish back into the water.

The thankful fish sprang its head out of the water.

“Silly angler. You think I know where the best fish in the river are?” the fish said as he began to swim away.

That day, the hungry angler learned to be grateful for what he has and to not be greedy.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 26

 Reading 2–4-Syllable Words with Consonant-le unit 22
Words to Preview 333 Words
Announcer, whistle, resume, continue, minutes, comeback
*Some words in this passage have an s after the Consonant-le Syllable, like Poodles and Eagles . You can still look for the
Consonant-le pattern to help you read the words.

Unbelievable Comeback
Announcer 1: That is the whistle, which means it is time to resume the soccer game. The New Jersey Eagles
continue to battle the Massachusetts Poodles. The Eagles are up with a score of 2-1 with just two minutes left to play.

Announcer 2: It would be incredible if the Poodles can make a comeback. I don’t think it is possible. The Eagles
enjoy a comfortable lead.

Announcer 1: The Poodles rush with the ball to the middle of the field. One player passes to a player downfield
that runs at an angle to the goal.

Announcer 2: The player gets the pass and dribbles. An Eagles defender attempts to handle the attack, but the
Poodles player dribbles around his ankle.

Announcer 1: The Poodles player kicks an incredible shot and…

Announcer 2: The ball is in the net! Goal! The shot was unbelievable. The game is now even!

Announcer 1: We will see if the Eagles can handle the stress. The fans are starting to heckle their own team.

Announcer 2: After the goal, each team huddles to discuss their plan. The whistle blows, and the Eagles have the
ball. There are fifteen seconds left.

Announcer 1: The Eagles attempt a comfortable pass away from the middle, but the Poodles make an incredible
play and steal the ball.

Announcer 2: What an enjoyable game!

Announcer 1: A player from the Poodles gets a handle on the ball and is soaring to the net. There are five
seconds left. She looks like she is going to take a shot!

Announcer 2: A whistle? Wait. It looks like there is a penalty. The Poodles get a free shot! The goalie can stop
this incredible comeback.

Announcer 1: The shot is up! The goalie mishandles the ball, and the ball wobbles to the back of the net!

Announcer 2: What a game! The Poodles never gave up, and it led to a remarkable win.

Announcer 1: It is not about the size of the dog in a battle, but the battle that is inside the dog. Way to go Poodles!

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 27

 2–4-Syllable Words with Latin Chunks unit 23
Words to Preview 282 Words
scientist, answer, forces, water, mountain, others

Erosion
Miss Baffle’s class sent questions to a scientist who was on an adventure to study erosion. This session
included six questions that assisted students in forming a picture of what erosion is.

Question: What is erosion?

Answer: Erosion is when a part of earth is worn away by forces, like wind or water.

Question: Can erosion happen in your location?

Answer: Yes, erosion happens all across the nation and world. It is easy to spot at the top of a mountain,
on the side of a cliff, or by a river.

Question: How does it work?

Answer: The forces of nature, such as wind and water, form friction by hitting a location, like the top of a
mountain, repeatedly. Slowly, over time, a portion of the mountain is worn away.

Question: Can erosion be harmful?

Answer: I am glad you chose to ask that. When erosion happens on a mountain, a collection of big and
small rocks that broke off can form on the mountain’s side. With a lot of rain, the water can capture the
rocks and parts of the mountain. This mixture can slide down the mountain in one quick motion and be
harmful to any location near the bottom. This is called a landslide.

Question: What can we do for erosion prevention?

Answer: Plants are a feature that can help slow down or prevent erosion. Plants absorb some of the water
in the soil and also absorb a portion of the wind. This makes a landslide less likely.

Question: Is it fun to study erosion?

Answer: Yes, it is! I hope to learn more about preventing erosion on my adventure so I can help others stay
safe from landslides.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 28

 2–4-Syllable Words with Hard and Soft c and g unit 24
Words to Preview 376 Words
explained, ready, pedaled, move, knew, won
*Remember, the short i sound can be spelled by the letter y in words like gym and bicycle.

The Challenge
“Fine. I accept your challenge. One race, but that is all you get,” Lacy said to her big sister Cindy.

“We will race to the grocery store, around the gym, and back home. Our backyard will be the finish line.
The first one back wins,” Cindy explained to her little sister.

The girls each got on a bicycle and began to balance. Lacy felt the need for revenge. Cindy has won every
challenge the girls have ever made, but perhaps this was the day Lacy could show her sister she can
succeed too.

“Be ready to accept defeat...like always!” Cindy shouted. Lacy sat on her bicycle in silence and anticipated
her sister starting the race.

“3… 2… 1… GO!” The girls were off.

Cindy had a decent start, but it was the first stage of the race. As the girls pedaled across the cement road,
Lacy got closer to Cindy. She was no stranger to second place, but she had new confidence to win this
challenge. Lacy’s tire got close to Cindy’s bicycle as the girls got to the grocery store.

“Stop it!” Cindy shouted. Her voice was far from gentle.

Cindy came up with a new strategy; pedal as fast as she could to get a big lead. The girls went past the
grocery store and were getting close to the gym. Cindy had a huge lead, but her pace was starting to plunge.
It was Lacy’s chance to make her move.

Lacy knew if she wanted to succeed, she had to work as hard as she could. She rode with confidence. They
were past the gym and were on their way back home.

Continued

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 29

 2–4-Syllable Words with Hard and Soft c and g unit 24

“I am going to win again!” Cindy celebrated as the girls made their final charge.

Perhaps she celebrated too early.

Lacy’s pedals rotated twice as fast and she ended up right next to her sister. She made one final lunge and…

“I did it!” Lacy shouted in a loud voice as her bicycle went charging into their backyard before Cindy’s.

The girls came to a stop.

“I did not think you had it in you. I wish I had not celebrated so early. You won this challenge, but you
better be ready for the next one!”

“Bring it on!” Lacy said with a smile.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 30

 2–4-Syllable Words with Consonant Suffixes unit 25
Words to Preview 281 Words
knew, told, color, wrap, wrapped, sign

Fearless
Yesterday, I stubbornly rode my bike down a steep hill but abruptly attempted to stop when I saw a large
rock in the road. When I twisted my handlebars quickly to avoid it, I was instantly thrown off my bike
down to the pavement. To my amazement, I was not badly hurt thanks to my helmet. However, as I stood
up, I gingerly held my arm, and knew I needed help. The bright day faded to darkness. Thank goodness my
sister promptly got help. I ended up with a painful broken arm.

I bravely rested my arm in the doctor’s hands as she soothingly told me about the cast I was going to get.

“You must be fearless to go down a steep hill like that!” the doctor commented. “This must have been
painful.”

“We are grateful it is not severe,” my dad said.

It was time to get the cast. Hopeful that it was not going to hurt too badly, I knew it would be far from
delightful. First, I got to pick a color. I instantly chose green.

“You are in luck!” she said, “We recently got a shipment in.” Then, the doctor carefully put a wrap that was
like a sock on my arm. When it was on correctly, she evenly wrapped my arm fairly tight. Her kindness
made getting the cast magically easy.

“Time for the smelly part.” She wrapped my arm again with a white wrap and then the green one. My arm
rapidly got toasty, and I could feel the firmness of the cast. Suddenly, it was over. Getting a cast was not so
bad after all, and all my pals got to sign it!

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 31

 2–4-Syllable Words with Vowel Suffixes unit 26
Words to Preview 277 Words
few, radio, sorry

Bestseller!
Have you been dreaming of the least comfortable and least enjoyable car on the market? If so, it is your
lucky day. We will be explaining why you need to buy our bestseller: the cheapest convertible around.

This car has just a few scratches and glitches from a few crashes. You do not care to have a clean car?
You are in luck! Our car comes messy, filthy, dirty, and dusty. There is no need to attempt to make it the
cleanest on the road.

This is a convertible, so it does not have a top! It is perfect for flooding the inside of your car in a
rainstorm. In the winter, you can throw chilly snowballs with all of the snow that has been mounding up.

Did I mention that our car is the cheapest? It has the smallest amount of power, the loudest engine, and
the faintest radio. This car is far from dependable and is more than capable of falling apart down the road.
Ignore the squeaking and ringing sounds that you are hearing because they are not fixable. Did I remember
to tell you that this car does not have steering?

If this car does not make you grouchy, we will give you your cash back! No one has revisited to get their
money back. They must be miserable!

Go see your banker now to get a loan for the smallest, cheapest, loudest convertible on the market. Call in
the next day and get a matching convertible for free! You will get two cars while paying the price of one.
Come see me to get your two bestseller convertibles. You WILL be sorry!

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 32

 2–4-Syllable Words Using the 1-1-1 Doubling Rule and with
the Three Sounds of Suffix -ed
unit 27
Words to Preview 264 Words
science, lava, builds, tie, kind

Prizewinner
Hector dropped his project on the table as the chatter in the classroom disappeared. Gwen, one of Hector’s
classmates, appeared and analyzed his project.

“What is that?” Gwen asked.

“The winning science fair project,” Hector bragged.

“No, what is it?” Gwen demanded.

“Fine. If you must know, it is the biggest science fair volcano ever made. Take a peek. It is programmable,
which means that when I hit this button, the thinnest kind of lava shoots out of the top. This is a model of
a shield volcano, the flattest kind.” Hector explained. “The lava cools and makes the volcano bigger.”

Gwen and Hector’s classmates crowded around his project, demanding that he keep hitting the button.
The judges passed by each project and were shocked at what they saw. Chatting together, they discussed
the prizewinning project, and then they announced the winner.

“This year’s winning science fair project is a tie!” the judge said as the crowd gasped. “The winners are
Hector and Gwen, who each emphasized a different kind of lava in their volcano models.”

“Wait. Did you make a volcano too? Why did you keep it a secret?” Hector asked.

“You never asked. I made a cone volcano, which is the tallest kind. It has the thickest lava, and when it
builds up, it can explode!” Gwen said.

“Wow! I should not have bragged about my project. Can I see how it works? I cannot wait to see an
exploding volcano!” Hector exclaimed.

“Of course!” Gwen added with a smile. Hector and Gwen checked out her cone volcano and celebrated
their victory.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 33

 2–4-Syllable Words with Prefixes dis-, con-, un-, in-, im- unit 28
Words to Preview 296 Words
younger, together, tomorrow

Incomplete Report
Mister Hart, my teacher, looked confused when I interrupted him as he was speaking with a student.

“Yes, Emma? Your visit is unexpected. How can I help you?” he abruptly asked.

“Mister Hart, I have a problem. Remember that report I had to make about an inventor who made an
invention by accident?” I asked. Discomfort filled my body.

“Of course. That report is expected by the end of the class. Is this why you look so uneasy?”

“Can I turn it in on a different day? I intended to turn it in, but it is incomplete. Please!” I pleaded. It was
improbable that he would agree, but it was worth a shot.

“Can you explain what the conflict is? It looked like you had a strong start on it,” Mister Hart explained.

“I... I... well… my,” I began. “Last night, my immature brother stole my report. After he gave it back, he
would not let me focus because he kept playing his instrument while I worked,” I unleashed the words.

“I have a younger brother too. I can remember many times my little brother interrupted my focus. Now,
you know I am normally unwilling to take any late work, but I am impressed that you gave me the truth.
How about we work on it together during lunch and see how far we get? Then, if it is still not finished, you
can turn it in tomorrow,” Mister Hart insisted as a smile formed across his face. My discomfort vanished.

“Thank you so much for understanding. I will see you at lunch!” I said.

I was able to finish my report on my inventor. I learned that it is always important to tell the truth, and
that you never know when the unexpected will happen.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 34

 2–4-Syllable Words with Prefixes re-, pre-, pro- unit 29
Words to Preview 291 Words
officials, people, others, danger, water, wonderful

Superhero Propeller
In the town of Long Lake, Nevada, officials were looking for a new superhero to protect their town. Their
last superhero retired after she protected the people of Long Lake for over twenty years. Sadly, just one
superhero showed interest and provided his profile. The town officials decided to proceed with meeting
this superhero. Will they reject him or request his help? Read the interview transcript below.

“What is your name?”

“My name is Professor Propeller, but when I do not want to reveal my powers, I go by the name Max.”

“How old are you, Max?”

“I am one hundred thirty-four.”

“What do you do when you are not fighting crime or protecting others?”

“By day, I refurbish old boats and resell them. At night, I protected the city of Stardust from danger and
prevented disasters from happening. That was until one night when I forgot to recharge my powers. When
a disaster struck that night, I was unable to help. Then, they replaced me with a new superhero. I predict
this will never happen again! I have not forgotten to recharge my powers since that night.”

“What are your superpowers?”

“I can produce shockwaves, predict when asteroids are near, and can quickly propel my body in water. I
recharge my powers by relaxing. I make strong relationships and want to protect others the best that I can.”

“Well Professor Propeller, or Max, I have good news. We need a superhero to protect us and provide safety
for the people of Long Lake. The job is yours. When can you start?”

“That is wonderful! I better start now because an asteroid is on its way to Long Lake. Have no fear. I will
protect you!”

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 35

 Cumulative Review of Suffixes and Prefixes in 2–4-Syllable Words unit 30
Words to Preview 276 Words
diamonds, says, someone, already, enough, only

Unlikely Suspect
Narrator: Agents 1 and 2 enter the station to meet about a recent incident at the local jewelry store.

Agent 1: I am here to inform you that this investigation has begun, and I need your help. A display

containing incredible uncut diamonds was unlocked and the jewels were stolen. We are searching for any
information to lead us to the robber. My instinct says he is right under our noses.

Agent 2: I am confused about why someone would do this, but I am confident we will crack this case. If

we don’t find them, they are just diamonds. No big deal, right?

Agent 1: I bet the jewelry store finds this to be a big deal. They must have their diamonds returned. After

seeing the recordings from the cameras, I think we have our first suspect. Take a look at this person who
undid the latch by the display. He must have discreetly taken the diamonds when the camera went offline.
By the time the camera came back online, I predict the robber had already left.

Agent 2: You have found good information, but it does not seem like enough to confirm who it was.

Relax, the robber only confiscated five diamonds. Is it worth worrying about this incident? It is unlikely,
perhaps impossible, that we will ever find out who did it. Can we work on a new case?

Agent 1: Wait! How did you know five diamonds were confiscated? Get back here!

Narrator: Agent 1 connected the dots and found that Agent 2 is a suspect! He fled the station and is on

the loose. Will he be able to get away?

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 36

 2–4-Syllable Words with Closed Syllable Exceptions unit 31
Words to Preview 234 Words
wondered, people, million, months, thumb, water

Lightning Bolt
Have you ever wondered how lightning can bolt across the sky? What is lightning? Can it blind you? As a
child, I wondered about these questions and had to find out more about the jolts of thunder and bolts of
lightning that can liven up and light up the night.

Did you know?

• Lightning is a burst of electricity that happens during a thunderstorm.

• It can happen between two clouds, between a cloud and the air, or between a cloud and the ground.

• Lightning is far from cold. It makes heat that is hotter than the sun!

• Around 2,000 people are struck by bolts of lightning each year.

• A lightning bolt is around 300 million volts. That would be the amount of energy needed to power a
light bulb for three months!

• Lightning does not mind striking in the same place twice!

• Going blind from seeing lightning is extremely rare.

• Hold out your hand and look at your thumb. This is about how wide a lightning bolt is!

When the thunder roars, you know it is time to go indoors. After you see lightning, count to 30, and if you
hear thunder before you reach 30, stay indoors. When you are indoors, avoid contact with water. Being
struck by lightning is rare, but it’s smart to use these tips to stay safe the next time you see a lightning bolt
light up the sky.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 37

 2–4-Syllable Words with Split Vowels unit 32
Words to Preview 227 Words
house, justice, listened, imagined, thought

Dear Diary
September 13th, 2020

7:00 P.M.

Dear Diary,

I sat around my house wishing the rain would stop, longing for an adventure. How could I go on an
adventure without leaving my home? I picked up some books from my bookshelf, found a quiet place to
read, and dove into a new world.

I traveled to Rome to visit the ruins of a stadium. I pretended I was triumphant in a race with real
gladiators.

I listened to a biography of Nelson Mandela on an audiobook and heard how he created a difference in
fighting for peace and justice.

I traveled to a zoo in Columbia, South Carolina where I fed hungry lions. I imagined that they meowed
rather than roaring, and it was hilarious.

I read and imagined what it was like to surf in Miami, and it was much harder than I thought. I should
have evaluated the size of the waves first!

A book can take you on an adventure even if you are staying still. I set my books to the side and thought
about where I got to travel. Even if I stayed in my quiet room, I imagined being inside each of my books,
traveling, and learning about the world. It was arguably the best rainy day I could have ever had.

I am a page away from my next adventure!

Sofia

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 38

Comprehension Questions for HD Word
Decodable Passages
All questions are literal comprehension questions except those marked with an asterisk (*).
These starred questions are either inferential or opinion based. Inferential questions have
possible answers. Opinion questions do not.

UNIT 1: Thad?
1. Why were Nick and Rick throwing a rock around? (A: They didn’t have a ball.)
2. Where were they playing? (A: They were playing by an old red shed.)
3. Who got hit by a rock on his back? (A: Rick got hit by a rock on his back.)
4. *Who or what do you think could have hit Rick and Thad with rocks?

UNIT 2: The Bad Trick

1. What was the trick Brent played on Jack? (A: Brent put a fly in Jack’s milk.)
2. What did Jack do about it? (A: Jack got a new milk and told them not to do it again.)
3. What did Trent do to make it up to Jack? (A: Trent offered some of his lunch to Jack.)
4. *Do you think Brent and Trent will try to prank Jack again? Explain your answer with
information from the text. (A: No, I don’t think they will because they seem sorry
and sincere.)

UNIT 3: Lunch at the Mall

1. Why didn’t Brad get lunch at The Crab Shack the first time he was there? (A: He didn’t
get lunch because he didn’t have cash.)
2. N
 ext time he was at the mall, what drink did Brad order? (A: Brad ordered pink
punch.)
3. What part of Brad’s lunch was hot? (A: The shrimp in Brad’s lunch was hot.)
4. *How do you think Brad was able to remember his cash the second time?

UNIT 4: Basketball Contest

1. How many balls does the narrator get to shoot at the basket? (A: They get to shoot
ten balls.)
2. W
 ho gives the narrator a compliment? (A: The player to their left gives them
a compliment.)
3. H
 ow many shots did the narrator miss before making a basket? (A: They missed four
shots before making a basket.)
4. *Do you think the narrator’s attitude helped them win the contest? Explain your
answer with information from the text.

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 39

UNIT 5: Secret Robot
1. What instrument does the narrator play? (A: The narrator plays an old brown banjo.)
2. W
 hat is a word that is used to describe how the robot would look? (A: The robot is
described as tall.)
3. W
 hat is one way the narrator’s robot could help? (A: The robot could help clean the
narrator’s room.)
4. *Do you think the narrator describes the robot more as a helper or as a friend?
Explain your answer with information from the text.

UNIT 6: Fossil Quest

1. Where are Shannon and Winston looking for a fossil? (A: They are looking at the Grand
Canyon.)
2. W
 hat did Winston think they would find? (A: Winston thought they might find the
skeleton of a mammoth.)
3. What did they actually find? (A: They found an old dirty nickel.)
4. *Who do you think is more positive about finding something good at the end of the
story? Explain your answer with information from the text. (A: Shannon seems to have
a good attitude since she was happy about finding the nickel.)

UNIT 7: Wake-Up Plan

1. Why does the narrator tell the reader to be ready to apologize? (A: The narrator tells
the reader to be ready to apogize if they make their sibling mad.)
2. W
 hich animal does the narrator recommend using to wake your sibling? (A: The
narrator suggests a stampede of buffalo.)
3. W
 hat excuse for waking your sibling does the narrator give? (A: The narrator suggests
you are just waking your sibling because you didn’t want them to be late.)
4. *Where do you think the narrator lives? Explain your answer with information from the
text. (A: I think the narrator lives in Boston because they said to invite all of Boston to
the lemonade stand.)

UNIT 8: The Lost Necklace

1. Where was Kate’s necklace from? (A: The necklace came from Italy.)
2. W
 hy did Kate think the king’s attendant stole the necklace? (A: Kate thought the
king’s attendant stole the necklace because she saw him near her luggage.)
3. W
 ho found the necklace in the minstrel’s cottage? (A: The king’s attendant found the
necklace in the minstrel’s cottage in her luggage.)
4. *Do you think the village of Ellington would be a nice place to live? Why or why not?
Explain your answer with information from the text. (A: I think it would be a nice
place to live because when something went missing, everyone helped out.)

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 40

UNIT 9: Chimpanzee Display
1. Which zoo did Kathy and the narrator visit? (A: They visited the Tennessee Zoo.)
2. W
 here do chimpanzees live in the wild according to the passage? (A: Chimpanzees
live in West Africa.)
3. Where might a chimpanzee sleep? (A: A chimpanzee might sleep in a tree.)
4. *Why do you think the chimpanzee didn’t seem to fear Kathy and the narrator?

UNIT 10: Ollie Meets a Beast

1. Where does Ollie go for adventures? (A: Ollie seeks adventure on a boat in the water.)
2. W
 hat does Ollie use for bait to get the beast to come closer? (A: Ollie uses his
sandwich as bait.)
3. W
 hy did Ollie think he needed to be saved from the beast? (A: Ollie thought he
needed to be saved because the beast shrieked, yelped, and spit foam.)
4. *Everything turned out ok, but do you think Ollie will try to bait other creatures in the
future? Why or why not? Explain your answer with information from the text. (A: I think
he will be more cautious because he really was scared by the beast at first.)

UNIT 11: Win a Trip!

1. What is one place Carl would visit in Oregon if he won? (A: Carl said he would visit a
dark cave or a historic landmark.)
2. W
 hat is the fin on the top of a shark called? (A: The fin on the top of a shark is called
the dorsal fin.)
3. W
 here will Carl be able to snorkel near the coast? (A: Carl will be able to snorkel near
the coast in Norway.)
4. *How do you think Carl feels about Arnold at the end of the story? Explain your
answer with information from the text. (A: Carl probably thinks Arnold is a really nice
and generous person because he said Carl could come along on his trip.)

UNIT 12: Daily Forecast

1. Where does Garret recommend that you wear sunscreen? (A: Garret recommends
wearing sunscreen if you visit the Grand Canyon.)
2. Where might it hail today? (A: It might hail in North Carolina.)
3. W
 hen is the rain expected to stop near Delaware? (A: The rain is supposed to stop by
lunchtime near Delaware.)
4. *Why do you think it is a good idea to check the weather report before you go out for
the day? Explain your answer with information from the text. (A: It’s probably a good
idea to check the weather so you can be prepared for rain or a storm.)

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 41

UNIT 13: The Perfect Quirky Dessert
1. What ingredient are you supposed to stir into the yogurt first? (A: You’re supposed to
stir dirt into the yogurt first.)
2. W
 hat green plant does the author recommend using if you don’t have a turnip?
(A: The author recommends using clover.)
3. How hot should the oven be? (A: The oven should be as hot as it can be.)
4. *Would you like to eat this quirky dessert? Why or why not? Explain your answer with
information from the text.

UNIT 14: Earth Day

1. Who created Earth Day? (A: Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day.)
2. H
 ow did Nelson believe we can achieve a better and cleaner Earth? (A: He believed
we can achieve a better and cleaner Earth with teamwork.)
3. W
 hat does the author mention that the reader can do to help? (A: The author
suggests that the reader organize or participate in a clean-up event.)
4. *Would you like to participate in a clean-up event? How else could you help?

UNIT 15: Superhero Ruth

1. What made Ruth start to dream of being a superhero? (A: She began to dream of
being a superhero when she saw a news report about a man stealing jewelry from
a store.)
2. W
 hat was Ruth wearing as she tried to catch the bandit? (A: Ruth was wearing a
red cape.)
3. W
 here was Ruth when she was daydreaming of being a superhero? (A: Ruth was in
her bedroom.)
4. *If you could be a superhero, what would you do to help people? What superpowers
would you have?

UNIT 16: Poison Dart Frog

1. How large are poison dart frogs? (A: Poison dart frogs are about one inch long.)
2. W
 here are some of the places you’ll find a poison dart frog in nature? (A: Poison dart
frogs live in tropical rainforests, marshes, shrublands, and swamps.)
3. W
 hen are poison dart frogs not poisonous? (A: Poison dart frogs are not poisonous
when they are in captivity.)
4. *Would you want a poison dart frog as a pet? Why or why not? Explain your answer
with information from the text. (A: I think I would want a poison dart frog as a pet
because I like small frogs, they aren’t poisonous in captivity and I’d like to watch it
use its sticky tongue to capture bugs; OR I don’t think I’d want a poison dart frog as
a pet because they would probably be happier in the rainforest, and I don’t want to
watch bugs get eaten.)

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 42

UNIT 17: Sunflowers
1. How deep should you plant sunflower seeds? (A: You should plant sunflower seeds an
inch or two deep into the soil.)
2. H
 ow much water do sunflowers need? (A: Sunflowers need about an inch of water a
week.)
3. H
 ow long will it take for sunflowers to be fully mature? (A: It will take 80-120 days for
sunflowers to be fully mature.)
4. *If you grew sunflowers indoors, do you think they would like to be in the middle of
a room or near a window? Explain your answer with information from the text.
(A: I think they would like to be near a window because the passage says to put
them where there is powerful afternoon sunlight.)

UNIT 18: Bigfoot?

1. What were some of the activities Andrew enjoyed at camp? (A: Andrew enjoyed
carving wood, making scrapbooks, having cookouts, and hiking.)
2. W
 hat was the first thing the campers noticed on their walk in the campfire story?
(A: The first thing they noticed was a howl.)
3. B
 efore the campers saw Bigfoot, what did they think was making the footprints?
(A: They thought the footprints were from a raccoon.)
4. *Would you like to hear scary campfire stories in the woods? Why or why not?

UNIT 19: Aubrey’s Autograph

1. What position did Aubrey play on her softball team? (A: Aubrey was the pitcher on
her softball team.)
2. W
 hat did Aubrey sign for her fan, Shawna? (A: Aubrey signed Shawna’s baseball
glove.)
3. W
 hat did Aubrey decide to do before every game after that day? (A: Aubrey
decided to give a fan an autograph before every game after that day.)
4. *What could you do today to make someone smile?

UNIT 20: Cinquain Poetry

1. Which word in the poem called Bookmark sounds like a slimy creature but is really
describing a person? (A: The word bookworm sounds like a slimy creature, but it really
describes a person who likes to read a lot.)
2. A
 ccording to these poems, what is something you should stay far away from? (A: In
the poem Asteroid, it tells us to avoid asteroids.)
3. A
 ccording to these poems, who wears a mask? (A: In the poem Superhero, it says
that superheroes mask who they are.)
4. *Based on the poem called Clouds, do you think the author dislikes or likes clouds?
Explain your answer with information from the text. (A: I think the author likes clouds
because the poem is positive and says that they are vital, or important.)
© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 43
UNIT 21: The Greedy Angler
1. Why was the greedy angler angry? (A: He was angry because he was hungry.)
2. W
 hy did the greedy angler shout about the first fish he caught? (A: He shouted about
the first fish because it was really small, and he thought it wasn’t big enough to fill his
belly.)
3. H
 ow did the fish convince the angler to let him go? (A: The fish convinced the angler
to let him go by telling him that he could show him where an even bigger fish was. He
tricked him.)
4. *Do you think the greedy angler got to eat fish for dinner that night? Explain your
answer with information from the text. (A: No, I don’t think he ate fish that night. He
lost the fish that tricked him and the author called him the hungry angler at the end
of the story.)

UNIT 22: Unbelievable Comeback

1. At the beginning of the story, which team is winning the game? (A: At the beginning
of the story, the Eagles are winning.)
2. W
 hy do the teams huddle? (A: The teams huddle to discuss their plan after the game
is tied.)
3. W
 hy is there a whistle near the end of the game? (A: There is a whistle because there
was a penalty.)
4. *What do you think the last line means?

UNIT 23: Erosion

1. What are some forces that can cause erosion? (A: The forces of wind and water can
cause erosion.)
2. D
 oes erosion happen slowly or quickly? Explain your answer with information from the
text. (A: Erosion happens slowly over time because of friction.)
3. E
 xplain what a landslide is. (A: A landslide is when a collection of small rocks that
broke off a mountain mix with water and slide down a mountain quickly.)
4. *Why do you think it’s important to study things like erosion?

UNIT 24: The Challenge

1. What kind of challenge did Lacy and Cindy participate in? (A: They made up a bike
race challenge.)
2. Who normally wins these sister challenges? (A: Cindy normally wins the challenges.)
3. W
 here were the girls when Cindy got upset at Lacy? (A: They were near the grocery
store when Cindy got upset because Lacy’s tire was too close to Cindy’s.)
4. *What lesson can you learn from this story? Explain your answer with information from
the text. (A: Keep trying no matter how many times you lose. – Lacy; Don’t celebrate
before you actually win./Don’t assume you’ll always win. – Cindy)

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 44

UNIT 25: Fearless
1. How did the narrator hurt their arm? (A: The narrator was riding their bike and was
thrown off it when trying to avoid a rock in the road.)
2. Who brought the narrator to the doctor’s office? (A: The narrator’s dad brought them.)
3. W
 hat are some words the narrator uses to describe how the cast felt? (A: The narrator
said it was tight, toasty, and firm.)
4. *What color cast would you choose if you broke a bone?

UNIT 26: Bestseller!

1. When talking about a car, what does convertible mean? (A: Convertible means that
there is no top to the car.)
2. W
 hat kinds of sounds does this car make? (A: The car makes squeaking and ringing
sounds.)
3. If you buy this car, what bonus will you get for free? (A: If you buy this car, you’ll get
another awful car for free.)
4. *Do you think this advertisement would be effective? Would you buy this car? Why or
why not?

UNIT 27: Prizewinner

1. Which kind of volcano is the flattest kind? (A: The flattest kind of volcano is called a
shield volcano.)
2. Who won the science fair? (A: Gwen and Hector tied to win the science fair.)
3. W
 hich kind of volcano has the thickest type of lava? (A: The cone volcano has the
thickest type of lava.)
4. *Do you think Hector was a good sport? Why or why not? Explain your answer with
information from the text. (A: I think he was a good sport because he apologized for
bragging before the results were out and because he was excited about celebrating
with Gwen and seeing her exploding volcano.)

UNIT 28: Incomplete Report

1. What was Emma’s report about? (A: Emma’s report was supposed to be on an
inventor who made an invention accidentally.)
2. W
 hat was distracting Emma when she was trying to write her report? (A: Emma’s
brother was playing an instrument while she was trying to write her report.)
3. H
 ow did Mister Hart help Emma with her problem? (A: Mister Hart offered to work on
the report with her during lunch and gave her an extra day to write it.)
4. *Based on the passage, what do you think the word improbable means? Explain your
answer with information from the text. (A: I think improbable means it probably won’t
happen because Emma was begging and said it was worth trying even though it
was improbable.)

© 2021 Really Great Reading Company, LLC 45

UNIT 29: Superhero Propeller
1. Why did the town of Long Lake, Nevada need a new superhero? (A: They needed a
new superhero because the previous one just retired.)
2. W
 hat does Max do when he’s not acting as a superhero? (A: Max fixes up old boats
and sells them during the day.)
3. H
 ow does Max recharge his superpowers? (A: Max recharges his superpowers by
relaxing.)
4. *What superpower would you want if you could have just one?

UNIT 30: Unlikely Suspect

1. How was the thief able to get the diamonds out of the locked case? (A: The thief
unlocked the locked case.)
2. How many diamonds were stolen? (A: Five diamonds were stolen.)
3. W
 hat did the security cameras actually see? (A: The security cameras showed
someone unlocking the case and then the cameras went offline.)
4. *How do you think Agent 1 knew that Agent 2 was probably the thief? Explain your
answer with information from the text. (A: I think Agent 1 knew that Agent 2 was the
suspect because Agent 2 knew that five diamonds were stolen even though no one
gave that information.)

UNIT 31: Lightning Bolt

1. What is lightning? (A: Lightning is a burst of electricity that happens during a
thunderstorm.)
2. H
 ow much energy is needed to power a lightbulb for three months? (A: It takes about
300 million volts of energy to power a light bulb for three months.)
3. W
 hat should you avoid when you hear thunder and see lightning? (A: You should
avoid being outside, and you should also avoid touching water during thunder
and lightning.)
4. *What did you learn about lightning that you did not already know?

UNIT 32: Dear Diary

1. Why couldn’t Sofia go on an adventure outside of her house? (A: Sofia couldn’t go
outside for an adventure because it was raining.)
2. W
 ho did Sofia read about that fought for peace and justice? (A: Sofia read about
Nelson Mandela who fought for peace and justice.)
3. W
 hat did Sofia read about that she thought would be difficult to do? (A: Sofia read
about surfing in Miami and thought it would be hard to do.)
4. *What are you interested in learning more about? What would you like to
read about?

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