Reading Drills

SECOND EDITION

FOR SPEED AND COMPREHENSION

GRABLE

abe

| EDWARD B. FRY, Ph.D.

JAMESTOWN PUBLISHERS
 THIS BOOK IS THE PROPERTY OF:
Se e eee
IN eCE... Book No
No.
PROV
COUNTY ______——ssSSSSSSSSsSYs Enter information
PARISH te I Spacers
SCHOOL DISTRICT _____————C—SsS—CSséto thee left as
OTHER. .. ..
FT insti

CONDITION

ISSUED TO ISSUED RETURNED

PUPILS to whom this textbook is issued must not write on any page
or mark any part of it in any way, consumable textbooks excepted.

1. Teachers should see that the pupil’s name is clearly written in ink in the spaces above in every
book issued.
2. The following terms should be used in recording the condition of the book: New; Good; Fair:
Poor; Bad.
 INTERMEDIATE LEVEL

Reading Drills
SECOND EDITION

.FOR SPEED AND COMPREHENSION

THIS BOOK IS THE PROPERTY OF

econdary School
NAME | HOMEROOM | TEACHER

EDWARD B. FRY, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus
Rutgers University

JAMESTOWN &)PUBLISHERS
 Reading Drills
FOR SPEED AND COMPREHENSION

Intermediate Level
Second Edition

Catalog No. 842

© 1989 by Edward B. Fry

All rights reserved. The original contents of

this book are protected by the United States
Copyright Law. Address all inquiries to
Editor, Jamestown Publishers, Two Prudential Plaza,
Chicago, Illinois 60601-6790.

Cover and Text Design by Deborah Christie

Cover photograph by Warren Jagger

Printed in the United States of America

6 78 9 10 GG 99 98 97 96
ISBN: 0-89061-532-2
 Foreword

This Second Edition of the Middle Level of reading improvement courses.

Reading Drills for Speed and Comprehension In some ways this drill book is introducing
has been redesignated Intermediate Level. The a new element into the intermediate (upper
former Middle Level drill book has been split: elementary, middle school, or junior high)
parts of it now appear in a new Introductory reading curriculum. The new element to
Level, and other parts are reused here. which I refer is reading for speed or, put
With these changes Reading Drills now more academically, reading rate improve-
comprises three books: ment. Not that reading rate improvement
Introductory Level for Grades 4-6 hasn’t been discussed, researched and, in a
Intermediate Level for Grades 6-8 few instances, taught at the intermediate
Advanced Level for Grades 7-10 level, but rather it just isn’t frequently taught.
The original Middle Level book was Two of my former graduate students, Dr.
intended for students in grades 4 through 8. James Swalm and Dr. Marion Kimberly, have
Now teachers can target instruction more both amply demonstrated that reading
precisely, using introductory or intermediate improvement training, such as is recom-
level as appropriate. For use with 6th graders, mended in this book, works quite well with
schools can decide if they need a drill book intermediate-aged, and elementary children.
that is a little on the difficult side or one that Their research tended to show that doubling
is a little on the easy side, depending on the the reading rate from 150 to 300 words per
school population being served. minute was not uncommon for these children.
Another major change in this edition is the However, individual students vary, and poor
replacement of cloze drills with maze drills. readers should be given plenty of reading
The former cloze tests were completion tasks, practice and comprehension training before
requiring the reader to supply the missing encouraging reading rate improvement.
word; maze tests provide a choice of answers Generally speaking, any age individual,
for each blank. The maze activity matches second grade through adult, can improve his
that needed for success on the DRP (Degrees or her reading rate with training. Caution
of Reading Power) and other current reading should be exercised, however, in believing
tests. With maze drills there is more some newspaper claims of extremely rapid
emphasis on comprehension of content and rate gains in short periods of time—the
less emphasis on knowledge of syntax courses cited usually teach just a skimming
(grammar). In addition cloze and maze items technique.
use the exact words and sentences of the An important factor in rate training is that
passage and do not require the additional rate improvement is best accomplished on
reading of a question. material that is a little on the easy side for the
In this Intermediate Level, passage length individual student. Hence, if you have a
has been increased to a uniform 750 words, student who is working at or below the
another change. readability levels in this book, you might best
The Intermediate Level book is patterned use the drills just for comprehension training.
after my original (and very successful) Readability for each story is shown in the
Reading Drills for Speed and Comprehension table of contents with each story title.
that is used in many secondary and college These drills will work fine for just reading
comprehension training and vocabulary follow through with this suggestion.
improvement. If those are your only goals, And now, please read the sections
omit the timing and encouragement of addressed to the teacher using this book. The
speed improvement. information contained there will help you to
However, you will find that average and, teach this program much more effectively
particularly, above-average students will and give you some background on the
greatly enjoy reading speed improvement. reading skills and techniques which are
Another teaching feature of this book is included.
our desire to encourage students to do as Finally, I hope that both you and the
much sustained reading as possible. To that students like this book; if not, tell me.
end we encourage the student to continue the I would like to acknowledge the valuable
reading of the story started in each drill by assistance of Robert Hayes and Cathy Lyttle
obtaining the whole book from a school or in preparing this edition.
public library. We hope that you will Edward Fry
 Acknowledgments

Acknowledgment is gratefully made to the “Just the Beginning” from Just the Beginning
following authors, agents, and publishers for by Betty Miles. Copyright © 1976 by Betty
permission to reprint excerpts from these Miles. Reprinted by permission of Alfred A.
works. Knopf, Inc.

“The Black Cauldron” from The Black “Bats Incredible!” by Arlene Schnippert.
Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander. Copyright Copyright © 1987 by the Worldwide
© 1965 by Lloyd Alexander. Reprinted by Church of God. Reprinted from Youth
permission of Henry Holt and Company, Inc. magazine, November/December 1987. All
rights reserved.
“Creatures from UFOs” from Creatures from
UFOs by Daniel Cohen. Copyright © 1978 “Twenty-One Balloons” from Twenty-One
by Daniel Cohen. Reprinted by permission of Balloons by William Pene du Bois. Copyright
Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. © 1975 by William Pene du Bois. All rights
reserved. Reprinted by permission of Viking
Penguin, Inc.
“Coping With an Aggressive Dog” by
Michael W. Fox. Reprinted by permission of
“Planes in Space” by William Siuru and
Boys’ Life magazine.
John Busick. Reprinted by permission of
the authors.
“The Martial Arts,” an adapted excerpt from
The Martial Arts by Susan Ribner and Dr.
“A Summer to Die” from A Summer to Die
Richard Chin. Text copyright © 1978 by Susan
by Lois Lowry. Copyright © 1977 by Lois
Ribner and Dr. Richard Chin. Reprinted by
Lowry. Reprinted by permission of Houghton
permission of Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc.
Mifflin Company.

“The Little Giant of Juggling” by Louis “You Kids Are All Alike” from Signposts to
Sabin. Reprinted by permission of the author. Achievement by Ira E. Aaron et al. Copyright
© 1975, by Scott, Foresman and Company.
“Thirteen Ways to Sink a Sub” from Thirteen Reprinted by permission.
Ways to Sink a Sub by Jamie Gilson.
Copyright © 1982 by Jamie Gilson. “The Phantom Tollbooth” from The
Reprinted by permission of Lothrop, Lee and Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster.
Shepard Books (a division of William Copyright © 1961 by Norton Juster.
Morrow and Company, Inc.) Reprinted by permission of Random
House, Inc.
“She Wanted to Read” from She Wanted to
Read by Ella Kaiser Carruth. Copyright “How to Be Somebody” by Shirley Dever.
© 1966 by Abingdon Press. Reprinted by Published in Listen magazine, July 1985.
permission of Abingdon Press. Reprinted by permission of the author.
“The Cat Ate My Gymsuit” from The “Hang Gliding” from The Hang Gliding Book
Cat Ate My Gymsuit by Paula Danziger. by William Bixby. Copyright © 1978.
Copyright © 1974 by Paula Danziger. Published by David McKay Company, Inc.
Reprinted by permission of Delacorte Press, Reprinted by permission of Loretta Bixby.
a division of Bantam, Doubleday, Dell
Publishing Group, Inc.
“A Long Way to Whiskey Creek” from
A Long Way to Whiskey Creek by Patricia
“Rescued Whales” by Andrew McPhee.
Beatty. Copyright © 1971 by Patricia Beatty.
Copyright © 1987 by Field Publications.
Reprinted by permission of William Morrow
Reprinted by special permission of Current
and Company, Inc.
Science, published by Field Publications.

“Home Safe Home” by Michael Morrison. “Sounder” from Sounder by William H.

Copyright © 1987 by the Worldwide Church Armstrong. Text copyright © 1969 by
of God. Reprinted from Youth magazine, William H. Armstrong. Reprinted by per-
November/December 1987. All rights reserved. mission of Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc.

“Skin: The Bag You Live In” from Blood and

“Snow Bound” from Snow Bound by Harry
Guts: A Working Guide to Your Own Insides
Mazer. Copyright © 1973 by Harry Mazer.
by Linda Allison. A Brown Paper School
Reprinted by permission of Delacorte Press, a
Book. Copyright © 1976 by the Yolla Bolly
division of Bantam, Doubleday, Dell
Press.
Publishing Group, Inc.

“Seward’s Warning” from The Eyes of the

Amaryllis by Natalie Babbitt. Copyright “Devices Detect Mines in Persian Gulf” by
© 1977 by Natalie Babbitt. Reprinted by Linda J. Reichlin. Copyright © 1987 by Field
permission of Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Inc. Publications. Reprinted by special permission
of Current Science magazine, published by
“America’s Women” from “America’s Field Publications.
Women: Meeting the Challenges of Today”
by Maura Christopher. From Scholastic
“In the Driver’s Seat” from Signposts to
Update, May 18, 1978. Copyright © 1978 by
Action by Ira E. Aaron et al. Copyright
Scholastic, Inc. Reprinted by permission of
© 1975 by Scott, Foresman and Company.
Scholastic, Inc.
Reprinted by permission.

“I Am the Cheese” from J Am the Cheese

by Robert Cormier. Copyright © 1977 by “Island of the Blue Dolphins” from Island of
Robert Cormier. Reprinted by permission the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell. Copyright
of Pantheon Books, a division of Random © 1960 by Scott O’Dell. Reprinted by
House, Inc. permission of Houghton Mifflin Company.
 Contents

How to Use This Book

Background for the Instructor 11

To the Student Using This Book

Set1 Readability

1°1 The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander 6

1°2 Creatures from UFOs by Daniel Cohen 5

1°3 To Build a Fire by Jack London 7

1°4 Coping with an Aggressive Dog by Michael W. Fox

1°5 The Martial Arts by Susan Ribner and Dr. Richard Chin

Set2
2°1 The Little Giant of Juggling by Louis Sabin

2°2 Thirteen Ways to Sink a Sub by Jamie Gilson

2°3 She Wanted to Read by Ella Kaiser Carruth

2°4 Just the Beginning by Betty Miles

2°5 Bats Incredible! by Arlene Schnippert

Set3
3°1 The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene du Bois
3°2 Planes in Space by Bill Siuru and John Busick

3°3 A Summer to Die by Lois Lowry

3°4 You Kids Are All Alike

3°5 The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Set4
4°1 How to Be Somebody by Shirley Dever 106

4°2 The Cat Ate My Gymsuit by Paula Danziger Vie

4°3 Rescued Whales by Andrew McPhee Aad

4°4 Home Safe Home by Michael Morrison 123

4°5 Skin: The Bag You Live In by Linda Allison 128

Set 5
5e1 Seward’s Warning by Natalie Babbitt 136

5¢2 America’s Women by Maura Christopher 141

5°3 | Am the Cheese by Robert Cormier 147

5°4 Hang Gliding by William Bixby 152

5°5 A Long Way to Whiskey Creek by Patricia Beatty 1ST

Set6
6*1 Sounder by William H. Armstrong 164
6°2 Snow Bound Harry Mazer 169
6*°3 Devices Detect Mines in Persian Gulf by Linda J.
Reichlin 174

6°4 In the Driver's Seat 180

6°5 Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell 185

Answer Key 192

Words per Minute Table 201

Graphs

Reading Speed 204

Comprehension 205
Maze Test 206
Vocabulary 207
Picture Credits 208
 How to Use This Book

. Have the students time themselves means that the reader is less dependent
while reading a passage. On an on retention of information gained
individual basis this can best be done under timed reading conditions.
using a stopwatch, but on a group basis d. In part, the vocabulary drills measure
the teacher can write the elapsed time general word knowledge, but in
every 10 seconds on the chalkboard using addition they give the student an
any watch with a second hand as a timer. opportunity to develop ability in using
Students should write down the time it context (the surrounding words) as an
took to read the passage as soon as they aid to word recognition and vocabulary
finish reading it. development.

. Have the students do the drills

. Encouragement is important. Students
without looking back at the need the discipline of regular assignments
passage. It is best to do all the drills
and class drill time. They also need
now but if time is not available, just the
encouragement from the teacher on a
Comprehension Drill can be done. The regular and sustained basis. A further form
drills are not timed.
of encouragement is seeing progress on the
graphs. Most do-it-yourself or home-
. Have the students correct (score) improvement reading courses fail because
the drills using the table and answer of lack of teacher discipline, stimulation,
keys at the back of the book. and encouragement.

. The students should then enter

their scores on the progress graphs . Assignments. There are thirty drills in
at the back of the book.
the book, grouped into six sets. This may
be considered six weeks of work at the rate
of one drill per day. Or the teacher may
. Interpretation of progress is
assign the drills at any feasible rate such as
important.
two or three drills per week. If drills are
a. First look at the balance between speed
assigned for homework, at least one drill
and comprehension. See the next
per week should be done in class. If speed
section, Background for the Instructor,
improvement is one of the objectives, one
for more information on proper balance.
drill per week is probably spreading it out
b. When interpreting comprehension
too thin.
scores, keep in mind that the first 4
questions are factual and the second 4
are inferential. Also see comprehension . Comprehension only. This drill book
suggestions in Background for the may be used for just reading compre-
Instructor. hension without emphasis on speed. In this
c. Maze drills essentially measure passage instance do not time the passages and help
comprehension, but, unlike multiple the student concentrate on achieving high
choice comprehension questions, maze scores on the Comprehension, Maze, and
items are presented in context. This Vocabulary drills.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

 9. Answer keys. The answer keys at the end works well with students using the answer
of the book can be removed if the teacher keys at the back of the book. Occasionally
deems it appropriate. The teacher can a student will disagree with the answer
score the drills, or the students can trade given in the key. Spirited class discussions
papers and score the drills of each other can result when students must “prove” that
while the teacher reads the answers aloud. their answer is correct and find the
However, in many classes self-scoring supporting passage.

10 HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

 Background for the Instructor
Reading Drills, Intermediate Level is designed conditions. Reading rate tends to jump around
as a drill book to help students at junior high quite a bit anyway due to fatigue, fluctuations
and middle school levels improve their in motivation, previous knowledge of the
reading speed and comprehension. subject, and many other factors. Hence, we
This drill book emphasizes timed reading are suggesting you control at least a few of
passages followed by comprehension these causes for fluctuation by consistently
questions, a maze passage, and a vocabulary having the student graph the first passage or
in context drill. Timed reading is the best a unit average.
known method of improving reading speed.
The comprehension drills are a way of
continually pointing out to students that there
is no point reading at any speed if there is no Assigning Drills
understanding.
There is no fixed time for completing a unit,
but sets of five suggest a week’s work, along
with whatever other projects the instructor
Readability of the Passages assigns. A maximum of ten weeks has often
been found to be a satisfactory time period to
The thirty reading passages have all been
work on reading rate improvement—short
graded for readability and arranged in the
enough to hold interest and long enough to
following order: The first passage in every
gain some practice experience and to start
set of five passages is of medium difficulty,
establishing new habits.
readability level 6; the other passages range
in difficulty from levels 5 to 8. Thus the
student has the advantage of reading
Reading Speed Improvement
passages of varying difficulty. However,
for measuring growth in reading rate, it Training in reading rate improvement can
is preferable to use passages of equal benefit almost everyone. In the United States
difficulty. You will note that the reading some of the most enthusiastic students in
rate progress graph on page 204 has reading improvement courses are university
columns for each passage in the book. We graduates who realize how important even a
recommend, however, that the student graph slight improvement in reading skill can be. I
only the first passage in a set, or an average am happy to report that reading rate training
of the five passages in a set. The reason that is becoming a regular part of many university
we do not ask the student to plot every and secondary school curricula.
passage on the graph is that improvement Improvement of reading speed, at any
tends to show a lot of variability, and level, is for the average or superior student.
it is easier to see progress when either the Students having difficulty in reading should
averages or the first passages are used. concentrate on comprehension before
Another reason is that in some courses working to improve speed. This drill book
certain passages are used in class, and others may be used primarily for comprehension
assigned as homework. The reading rates for improvement, if that is what the teacher
passages done as homework show variability wishes to emphasize. (See below.) In that
because of many factors, ranging from case, timing can be omitted.
inaccurate timing to disruptive environmental As a rule, the passages in a reading speed

BACKGROUND FOR THE INSTRUCTOR 11

 improvement book should be relatively There is a further cause for fluctuations in
easy for the student. The student should comprehension. The comprehension
not have difficulty with the vocabulary or questions and maze passages are really drills,
the subject matter. Hence, most of the not reliable test instruments. Hence, you
passages in this book should be fairly easy should look upon them as indications of
for middle school and junior high students. comprehension achievement. Unit averaging,
Don’t worry about their being too easy; of course, produces more stable scores, but
the student should see how quickly and even working passage-by-passage, the
efficiently he or she can read them. One student and instructor will see trends in
mark of good readers is the ability to comprehension ability. Don’t expect the
speed up and read rapidly easy material, scores to be terribly accurate; after all, their
while maintaining good comprehension. chief purpose is to teach the student the
Conversely, one mark of poor readers is that importance of comprehending while reading
they read everything at the same speed, at an improving rate.
usually slow. All of the drills in this book are designed
to be corrected by the student immediately
after completing them. An answer key is
provided on pages 192-197. Perhaps the
Comprehension most obvious benefit of this is that it saves
There is nothing more important than the teacher work. However, the more valid
comprehension in reading: the main purpose reason is that it is a better learning situation
in reading is to understand the author’s for the student. Psychologists have con-
thoughts. sistently found that the more immediate the
The multiple choice questions that follow knowledge of results (right or wrong), the
each of the selections in this drill book are better the learning.
divided into two types of questions. The first One method of improving comprehension
four questions are matters of fact whereas the is for the student to go back and study all
second four questions require the ability to of the multiple choice questions failed. First,
put several different ideas together to form a the question must be read again very care-
new idea, or the ability to discover what is fully. It is surprising how many students
meant although not specifically stated. These get the wrong answer simply because they
latter questions might be called subjective have not carefully read the question. After
because they require some thinking on the doing this, the student should look back in
part of the reader. the story to find the place where the ques-
Very few students can read these passages tion is answered. If the question is from
once and get all of the multiple choice the first half of the drill, that is, an objective
questions correct. Usually a score of 70 or 80 or factual question, the answer should be
percent correct is normal. If the student is fairly easy to find. On the other hand, an
getting 90 or 100 percent correct, he or she is incorrect answer to a question in the second
probably reading too slowly for the purposes part of the drill requires more thought or
of the exercises in this course and should inference. The portions of the story that
speed up. A comprehension score below 70 deal with that question may have to be
percent indicates a need for improvement. reread. The student should think about those
You should be aware that there will be portions to see how the correct answer is
fluctuations in comprehension, from the arrived at. The important work here is for
same causes as fluctuations in reading rate. the student to see what a correct answer

12 BACKGROUND FOR THE INSTRUCTOR

looks like when it is embedded in the text. concentrates on comprehension, scores will
Teacher guidance or class discussion is gradually increase (within a week or two)
often important in this regard in teaching back up to normal levels of 70 to 80 percent.
comprehension. The wrong thing to do is to decrease speed.
Sometimes the student will disagree Decreasing speed will almost immediately
with the author’s answer to a question. This bring up comprehension scores, but the
is natural, particularly in questions five student may be in the awkward position
through eight—the subjective questions. It of being right back where he or she started.
is quite possible for there to be legitimate The illustration that follows illustrates this
differences of opinion as to a correct answer. problem of increased speed with decreasing
These questions are for purposes of drill only. comprehension.
If the questions succeed in focusing the Students should keep their own speed and
student’s attention on the importance of comprehension graphs in the back of the drill
comprehension, then they have accomplished book. Achieving a proper balance between
their purpose. speed and comprehension is one of the most
important things to learn in this course. An
Speed versus Comprehension inefficient reader typically reads everything
It is not unusual for students’ comprehension at one speed, usually slow. Another type of
scores to decline as they make rapid poor reader is one who reads rapidly without
increases in speed during the early weeks of satisfactory comprehension. Hence, the
a reading improvement course. If this important thing is to achieve a balance
happens, the student should attempt to level between speed and comprehension. The
off his or her speed—but not lower it—and training provided by this drill book enables
concentrate more on comprehension. Usually, students to increase speed while maintaining
if the student maintains the higher speed and normal levels of comprehension.

THE PROBLEM THE CORRECT SOLUTION THE WRONG SOLUTION

Student makes rapid speed increase Have the student level off on reading It would be a mistake to have the
but loses comprehension. speed and concentrate on improving student lower reading speed (lose the
comprehension. gain) in order to raise comprehension.

2
5
=
=
g
rm)
42
{e)
= Minute
Words
per

Correct
Number Correct
Number Correct
Number

NOTE: Using the wrong approach, the student displays exactly the same speed and comprehension at the fifth week as at the
first week. Hence, no improvement has taken place.

BACKGROUND FOR THE INSTRUCTOR 13

 Maze Drills Vocabulary in Context
This book originally contained two cloze Accompanying each selection is a vocabulary
drills. Cloze drills are passages taken from in context exercise. These exercises consist of
the reading selection with words omitted at eight words from the selection, reprinted in
regular intervals. The student’s task was to context. Following each word, three mean-
replace those words from recall. ings are given. The student’s task is to select
This edition of Reading Drills, Intermediate the best meaning for the word as used in the
Level contains a modification of the standard selection.
cloze drill called a “maze drill.” This drill The precise meaning of a word depends
has passages with words omitted, but it largely on how it is used. As you know, dic-
differs from the standard cloze technique tionaries often list several meanings for a
in that the student is given five words from single word. Only by understanding the
which to choose an answer. context in which a word appears is the reader
Maze drills cut down on arguments able to associate the word with an appro-
over the right answer. With free recall priate meaning.
(cloze), synonyms or grammatically cor- In the vocabulary exercises each word
rect words were often appropriate answers, appears in the context of the sentence or
but the author’s exact word was the only expression used in the selection. This helps
acceptable answer. the student recall how the word was
Another reason for using the maze drill originally used.
in this edition is that some current reading Remember to keep context in mind when
tests such as the DRP (Degrees of Reading completing the vocabulary exercises. More
Power) are now using maze items as a than one choice given for a word may be
measure of reading achievement. The maze “dictionary correct,” but only one is the best
drills in Reading Drills, Intermediate Level will meaning for the word as used in this selection.
familiarize the student with the format of (We recommend that the instructor also
that test item. read the next section, which is addressed to
the student.)

14 BACKGROUND FOR THE INSTRUCTOR

 To the Student Using This Book

The Importance of Faster Reading flexibility and inexpensiveness of printing

also make printed material by far the
You probably talk at an average rate of 150 cheapest means of transmitting verbal
words a minute, but, if you are a reader of information.
average ability, you read at the rate of 250 The following figure, showing the number
words a minute. Thus, your reading speed, of books read over a period of ten years,
before starting the reading improvement illustrates rather dramatically what an
course, is already nearly twice as fast as your increase in reading speed can do for you.

speaking or listening speed. It is clear from Look at the difference in the number of
this that reading is one of the fastest ways to books read by a slow reader and those read
put verbal knowledge into your mind. The by a good reader.

SLOW READER FAIR READER GOOD READER

(150 words per minute) (250 words per minute) (350 words per minute)

ib
3 book 1% book

YEAR
1WEEK
MONTH

it a |
iy .
\q

YEARS
10
HE
840 books
TW be LE =
360 books

TO THE STUDENT USING THIS BOOK 15

 The speed of 350 words a minute selected manage to bring it up to normal. Other
to illustrate a good reader’s speed is far lower students may be reading slowly with very
than the speeds achieved by really fast high comprehension. Sometimes it is
readers. However, if you are reading at a rate better for these students to lower their
of 250 words a minute and can increase your comprehension a bit while trying to
speed to 350 words a minute, in the course of build speed. Your goal in this class is to
ten years there can be a tremendous differ- become a flexible reader: one who can go
ence in the amount of knowledge that you fast when it is desirable or necessary.
acquire. This illustration assumes that you
will read one hour a day, six days a week, . Can someone be too young to
and that the books you read are of an average improve reading speed? No. At
length of 70,000 words. Please do not assume Rutgers University in New Jersey,
that you must read a book for at least an hour Dr. James Swalm was able to show
every day. Many people do not read this meaningful improvement among fifth
much, but many would if they could learn to graders. In other experiments, Dr.
read better. Marion Kimberly improved the reading
Faster reading, once it is mastered, makes rate of pupils in grades 2, 4, 6, and 8.
reading more interesting, not more work. The average speed for each class tended
to double with little or no loss in com-
prehension. Not every student doubled
reading rate, but the class average
Some Questions and Answers
doubled using methods discussed in the
About Speed Reading
teacher’s section and using drills like the
Here are the answers to some questions that ones in this book. Normally, students do
students often ask at the beginning of a improve their reading speed for each year
reading improvement class: in school, but a special class on reading
speed improvement produces gains well
1. How much faster will | be able to beyond those.
read after using this book? Students
can often double their reading speed . Do all students make the same
during a class using reading matter of speed gains? No, there are different
average difficulty. Some students will do types of reading ability. Some students
a little better than doubling their speed. are gifted in reading, just as others may
Some students make less improvement. be in music or math. However, everyone
However, even if you gain and keep a 30 can learn to read with a fairly high
or 40 percent increase, think what this degree of efficiency. Further, nearly
can mean when spread out through the everyone can improve with training.
rest of your life. But it is not unusual for some students
to be able to read twice as fast as others.
2. Does comprehension go down when Also, during training, students may show
speed goes up? Not usually. On the different patterns of improvement: some
average, most classes end with the same make gains right away; others make no
comprehension that they begin with. progress at first, but make sudden gains
Students whose comprehension is below later on in the class if they continue
normal at the beginning of a class usually working.

16 TO THE STUDENT USING THIS BOOK

Words per Minute

Progress Graphs
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 191

The Black Cauldron

Lloyd Alexander

Reading Time Maze

Comprehension =) ed Vocabulary

20 1°1 THE BLACK CAULDRON

 This passage is from The Black Cauldron
by Lloyd Alexander. It tells about the land
of Prydain, “where evil is never distant,”
and a boy who eagerly awaits an oppor-
tunity to wear his first sword. If you are
interested in reading more of this book,
ask for it at your school or public library.

| had come too swiftly. In the The horseman’s tone and bearing nettled
northernmost realms of Prydain many trees Taran, but he curbed his temper and bowed
were already leafless, and among the courteously. “It is,” he replied. “But I am not
branches clung the ragged shapes of empty a pig-boy,” he added. “I am Taran, Assistant
nests. To the south, across the river Great Pig-Keeper.”
Avren, the hills shielded Caer Dallben from “A pig is a pig,” said the stranger, “and a
the winds, but even here the little farm was pig-boy is a pig-boy. Run and tell your master
drawing in on itself. I am here,” he ordered. “Tell him that Prince
For Taran, the summer was ending before Ellidyr Son of Pen-Llarcau .. . ”
it had begun. That morning Dallben had Hen Wen seized this opportunity to roll in
given him the task of washing the oracular another puddle. “Stop that, Hen!” Taran cried,
pig. Had the old enchanter ordered him to hurrying after her.
capture a full-grown gwythaint, Taran would “Leave off with that sow,” Ellidyr com-
gladly have set out after one of the vicious manded. “Did you not hear me? Do as I say,
winged creatures. As it was, he filled the and be quick about it.”
bucket at the well and trudged reluctantly to “Tell Dallben yourself!” Taran called over
Hen Wen’s enclosure. The white pig, usually his shoulder, trying to keep Hen Wen from the
eager for a bath, now squealed nervously and mud. “Or wait until ’ve done with my work!”
rolled on her back in the mud. Busy strug- “Mind your impudence,” Ellidyr answered,
gling to raise Hen Wen to her feet, Taran did “or you shall have a good beating for it.”
not notice the horseman until he had reined Taran flushed. Leaving Hen Wen to do as
up at the pen. she pleased, he strode quickly to the railing
“You, there! Pig-boy!” The rider looking and climbed over. “If Ido,” he answered hotly,
down at him was a youth only a few years throwing back his head and looking Ellidyr
older than Taran. His hair was tawny, his full in the face, “it will not be at your hands.”
eyes black and deep-set in a pale, arrogant Ellidyr gave a scornful laugh. Before
face. Though of excellent quality, his gar- Taran could spring aside, the roan plunged
ments had seen much wear, and his cloak forward. Ellidyr, leaning from the saddle,
was purposely draped to hide his threadbare seized Taran by the front of the jacket. Taran
attire. The cloak itself, Taran saw, had been flailed his arms and legs vainly. Strong as he
neatly and painstakingly mended. He sat was, he could not break free. He was
astride a roan mare, a lean and nervous steed pummeled and shaken until his teeth rattled.
speckled red and yellow, with a long, narrow Ellidyr then urged the roan into a gallop,
head, whose expression was as ill-tempered hauled Taran across the turf to the cottage,
as her master’s. and there, while chickens scattered in every
“You, pig-boy,” he repeated, “is this Caer direction, tossed him roughly to the ground.
Dallben?” The commotion brought Dallben and Coll

1°1 THE BLACK CAULDRON 21

 outdoors. The Princess Eilonwy hurried from all that and too busy to be concerned with it.
the scullery, her apron flying and a cookpot Go, water your horse and your temper at the
still in her hand. With a cry of alarm she ran same time. You shall be called when you are
to Taran’s side. wanted.”
Ellidyr, without troubling to dismount, Ellidyr was about to reply, but the
called to the white-bearded enchanter. “Are enchanter’s stern glance made him hold his
you Dallben? I have brought your pig-boy to tongue. He turned the roan and urged her
be thrashed for insolence.” toward the stable.
“Tut!” said Dallben, unperturbed by Princess Eilonwy and the stout, baldheaded
Ellidyr’s furious expression. “Whether he is Coll, meantime, had been helping Taran pick
insolent is one thing, and whether he should himself up. |
be thrashed is another. In either case, I need “You should know better, my boy, than
no suggestions from you.” to quarrel with strangers,” said Coll good-
“T am a Prince of Pen-Llarcau!” cried naturedly.
Ellidyr. “That’s true enough,” Eilonwy added.
“Yes, yes, yes,” Dallben interrupted with a “Especially if they’re on horseback and
wave of his brittle hand. “I am quite aware of you're on foot.”

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 192.

1. How did Taran feel about his task 4. Taran became angry because
that day? O a. the pig bit him.
O a. reluctant to begin Ob. Ellidyr was rude to him.
Ob. eager to begin Oc. he fell in the mud.
Oc. too sad to begin
5. The word that best describes Ellidyr is
2. When the horseman rode up, Taran O a. arrogant.
was busy Ob. carefree.
D a. feeding the pig. Oc. sweet.
Ob. trying to bathe the pig.
Oc. cleaning the pigsty. 6. Taran’s response to Ellidyr’s words, “Mind
your impudence, or you shall have a good
3. What did Ellidyr call Taran? beating for it,” shows that Taran
Oa. asow OD a. has a sense of humor.
Ob. the Assistant Pig-Keeper O b. is very proud.
Oc. pig-boy Oc. is very shy.

22 1°1 THE BLACK CAULDRON

7. How does Taran seem to feel about 8. Why didn’t Ellidyr talk back to Dallben?
Ellidyr’s commands? O a. He didn’t have anything to say.
O a. angry Ob. The old enchanter left right away.
Ob. bored Oc. The old enchanter’s glance
0 c. fearful prevented him.

The following passage, taken from the selection you

have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 192.

For Taran, the summer was ending before 1. a. finished b. left c. ended
d. emptied e. begun
it had . That morning
Dallben had cee him the task of washing
ip a. girl b. pig c. horse
the oracular . Had the
d. cow e. bull
old enchanter ordered him to capture a
full-grown gwythaint, Taran would gladly
5. a. bucket b. hat c. pig
have set out after one of the vicious winged d. water e. shoes

creatures. As it was, he filled the

at the well and trudged 4. a. beating b. game c. bath

d. walk e. friend
eincrantly to Hen Wen’s enclosure. The white
pig, usually eager for a ;
SD; an tree b. princess c. horseman
now squealed nervously and rolled on her
d. wound e. fence
back in the mud. Busy struggling to raise Hen
Wen to her feet, Taran did not notice the
6. a. her b. him c. it
until he had reined up at d. all e. that

the a
“You, there! Pig-boy!” The rider looking op a. saddle b. hat c. beard
d. mouth e. face
down at was a youth only. a
6
few years older than Taran. His hair was
tawny, his eyes black and deep-set in a pale,
arrogant . Though of

1°1 THE BLACK CAULDRON 23

 excellent quality, his garments had seen much 8. a. pants b. socks c. shoes
d. cloak attire
wear, and his cloak was purposely draped to
hide his threadbare attire. The
itself, Taran saw, had been
8
neatly and painstakingly mended.

VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 192.

— . The hills shielded Caer Dallben from 5. “Mind your impudence,” Ellidyr answered,
the winds. “or you shall have a good beating for it.”
0 a. exposed Oa. rudeness
Ob. eroded Ob. courtesy
Oc. protected Oc. appearance

2. As it was, he filled the bucket at the well

and trudged reluctantly to Hen Wen’s . He was pummeled and shaken until his
enclosure. teeth rattled.
0 a. happily 0 a. beaten
0 b. unwillingly Ob. caressed
O c. easily Oc. brushed

3. Though of excellent quality, his

garments had seen much wear, and . Ellidyr, without troubling to dismount,
his cloak was purposely draped to called to the white-bearded enchanter.
hide his threadbare attire. O a. stopping
Oa. suitcase Ob. asking
Ob. saddle O c. bothering
0 c. clothing

4. The horseman’s tone and bearing nettled . Ellidyr was about to reply, but the
Taran, but he curbed his temper and enchanter’s stern glance made him hold
bowed courteously. his tongue.
0 a. loosened 0 a. farmer’s
Ob. relaxed Ob. magician’s
Oc. controlled Oc. horseman’s

24 1°41 THE BLACK CAULDRON

 192

Creatures from UFOs

Daniel Cohen

Reading Time Maze

Comprehension eas ahord Vocabulary

1°2 CREATURESFROMUFOs 25
 This excerpt is from Creatures from
UFOs by Daniel Cohen. It describes
several incidents during which people
have claimed to have seen “unidentified
flying objects.” If you are interested in
reading more of this book, ask for it
at your school or public library.

O. September 12, 1952, two teenagers driving along when suddenly they discovered
in the small town of Flatwoods, West they could no-longer control their car. The
Virginia, saw a bright light in the sky. It car took them along a back road that they did
looked like a meteor flash. The light not know and up to a lake. Near the lake they
disappeared behind a nearby hill. saw a large object shaped like a cylinder rise
The boys decided to take a look. They from the ground. Then their whole car was
got a few of their friends and one adult and covered with a strange fog. When the two
climbed the hill. At the top they said they men got home several hours later, they could
found “‘a fire-breathing monster, ten feet tall not remember what had happened after the
with a bright green body and blood-red face.” fog appeared.
The creature floated toward them. The little Later, one of the men was hypnotized. He
group panicked. They ran madly down the said he remembered being taken out of his
hill and called the sheriff. The sheriff went car by a strange-looking little man. He was
up the hill to investigate but he found led aboard a spacecraft and given an exami-
nothing. The sheriff didn’t believe the story nation. He was then brought back to the car
and said so. where his friend was waiting. His friend
That is the tale of the Flatwoods Monster. didn’t even seem to know he had been gone.
It is one of the best-known accounts of what Sometimes there are reports of meetings
is supposed to be a meeting between people with strange creatures, but no UFOs are seen.
and creatures from a UFO. Today most people assume that the creatures
A lot of people said that the flash of light came from UFOs anyhow. The tale told by
in the sky had been made by a spaceship. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Eilbes, who live near
The creature, they said, had come out of the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is an example.
spaceship. But a lot of other people agreed On the evening of November 10, 1975, the
with the sheriff. They thought that the whole doorbell of their house rang. Mrs. Eilbes
thing was made up. answered it. She saw a very strange creature
Perhaps the story was made up, but not standing on her doorstep. The thing looked
made up deliberately. Perhaps the group that like a man wearing a small hat. But it was a
went up the hill got overexcited. Maybe they very odd-looking man. The face was the
only imagined they saw a monster. We have color of “smoked meat.” There were many
no way of knowing exactly what happened. gray lines on the face. The mouth was tiny,
But the tale of the Flatwoods Monster is only less than an inch wide. In its claw-like hand
one of hundreds of stories like it. Some of the creature held a long white rod.
them are even stranger. The woman called her husband. He thought
Take what was supposed to have happened someone was playing a trick on them. He
at 2:30 A.M. on October 27, 1975, near grabbed at the creature. It hit the ground with
Poland Springs, Maine. Two young men were the rod. Then it floated back out of reach.

26 1°2 CREATURES FROM UFOs

 Mr. and Mrs. Eilbes slammed the door and number of round craft near the mountains.
looked out the window. They saw four more He had never seen anything like them before.
of the things. They were jumping around the Arnold said they moved “like a saucer
lawn and street. Before they jumped they skipping across the water.” People started
would hit the ground with the rod. The calling them “flying saucers.” Sometimes
creature that had been on the doorstep waved they are still called flying saucers. More and
its claw at them. more people began saying that they saw
People have been seeing strange creatures strange craft in the sky. Some of these craft
for thousands of years. People have also been did not look saucer-like. So a new name was
seeing strange things in the sky for a very invented. The name was Unidentified Flying
long time. But in 1947 a man named Objects, or UFOs. UFOs can be pronounced
Kenneth Arnold was flying his plane in the “Ufoes.” People who are interested in UFOs
state of Washington. He said he saw a call themselves “Ufologists.”

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 192.

— . What did the sheriff find when he went 5. One of the two men in the car near
up the hill? Poland Springs was hypnotized in
DO a. the Flatwoods Monster order to
0 b. nothing at all O a. keep him from running away.
O c. akid in a Halloween costume Ob. make him sleep better.
O c. find out what happened to him.
2. What did Mr. and Mrs. Eilbes say they saw
on their front lawn? 6. The author wrote this story to
0 a. a spaceship 0 a. scare the reader.
Ob. aliens Ob. prove UFOs exist.
Oc. two men O c. share information about UFOs.

3. People first began to see strange creatures 7. Does the author believe in UFOs?
0 a. less then fifty years ago. 0 a. yes
Ob. hundreds of years ago. Ob. no
O c. thousands of years ago. O c. It’s impossible to tell for sure.

4. A Ufologist is a person 8. How does the author feel about aliens?

0 a. interested in UFOs. O a. He’s not sure what they are.
Ob. inside a UFO. Ob. He thinks they’re not real.
O c. from a UFO. Oc. He sees them all the time.

1*2 CREATURES FROM UFOs 27

 The following passage, taken from the selection you
have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 192.

A lot of people said that the flash of ie a. trees b. barn c. sea

hi . pick
light in the sky had been made by a g; Spacestup = ESS
spaceship. The creature, they said, had
pe a. up b. easy c. quietly
come out of the : . But a d. tight Baar
lot of other people agreed with the sheriff.
They thought that the whole thing was made Nee ee SS onan c. sheriff
d. deer e. creatures
2

Perhaps the story was made up, but

not made up deliberately. Perhaps the 4. a. plane b. cow c. cloud

: d. tree e. monster
that went up the hill got
3
overexcited. Maybe they only imagined they
5. a. shows b. aliens c. pictures
saw a . We have no way of
a4 d. stories e. forests
knowing exactly what happened. But the tale
of the Flatwoods Monster is only one of
6. a. flying b. walking c. driving
hundreds of like it. Some of d. singing e. playing
<= 5
them are even stranger.
Take what was supposed to have happened ib a. police b. car c. road
at 2:30 A.M. on October 27, 1975, near d.man —_e. wind
Poland Springs, Maine. Two young men were

along when suddenly they

discovered they could no longer control their
car. The took them along a
back road that ay did not know and up to a
lake. Near the lake they saw a large object
shaped like a cylinder rise from the ground.
Then their whole car was covered with a

28 1°2 CREATURES FROM UFOs

strange . When the two men 8. a. film b. light c. idea
d. paint e. fog
got home several hours later, they could not
remember what had happened after the fog
appeared.

VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 192.

1. The little group panicked. 5. He was led aboard a spacecraft and given
O a. gathered together an examination.
Ob. felt great fright 0 a. interview
Oc. fought hard QO b. operation
Oc. test
2. The sheriff went up the hill to investigate
but he found nothing. . Today most people assume that the
0 a. attack creatures came from UFOs anyhow.
Ob. defend OD a. believe without proof
Oc. search Ob. can prove
Oc. argue
3. It is one of the best-known accounts of
what is supposed to be a meeting between . He said he saw a number of round
people and creatures from a UFO. craft near the mountains.
0 a. jokes C a. boats
Ob. stories Ob. ships
Oc. pictures O c. balls

4. Perhaps the story was made up, but not . The name was Unidentified
made up deliberately. Flying Object.
0 a. carefully O a. unseen
Ob. purposely Ob. unregistered
O c. immediately O c. unexplained

1°2 CREATURES FROM UFOs 29

 1°93

To Build a Fire
Jack London

Reading Time Maze

Comprehension ar ee Vocabulary

30 1°3 TOBUILDAFIRE
 The short story, “To Build a Fire” by Jack
London, tells of the hardships and dangers
faced by a man traveling alone in the bitter
cold of the Yukon Territories. If you are
interested in reading more of this story,
ask for it at your school or public library.

D. had broken exceedingly cold and He was quick and alert in the things of life,
gray, when the man turned aside from the but only in the things, and not in the signifi-
main Yukon trail and climbed the high earth- cances. Fifty degrees below zero meant
bank, where a dim and little-traveled trail led eighty-odd degrees of frost. Such fact
eastward through the fat spruce timberland. impressed him as being cold and uncom-
It was a steep bank, and he paused for breath fortable, and that was all. It did not lead him
at the top, excusing the act to himself by to meditate upon his frailty in general, able
looking at his watch. It was nine o’clock. only to live within certain narrow limits of
There was no sun nor hint of sun, though heat and cold; and from there on it did not
there was not a cloud in the sky. It was a lead him to the conjectural field of immor-
clear day, and yet there seemed an intangible tality and man’s place in the universe. Fifty
pall over the face of things, a subtle gloom degrees below zero stood for a bit of frost
that made the day dark, and that was due to that hurt and that must be guarded against
the absence of sun. This fact did not worry by the use of mittens, earflaps, warm moc-
the man. He was used to the lack of sun. It casins, and thick socks. Fifty degrees below
had been days since he had seen the sun, and zero was to him just precisely fifty degrees
he knew that a few more days must pass below zero. That there should be anything
before that cheerful orb, due south, would just more to it than that was a thought that never
peep above the skyline and dip immediately entered his head.
from view. As he turned to go on, he spat specula-
The man flung a look back along the way tively. There was a sharp, explosive crackle
he had come. The Yukon lay a mile wide and that startled him. He spat again. And again,
hidden under three feet of ice. On top of this in the air, before it could fall to the snow, the
ice were as many feet of snow. It was all pure spittle crackled. He knew that at fifty below
white, rolling in gentle undulations where the spittle crackled on the snow, but this spittle
ice-jams of the freeze-up had formed. North had crackled in the air. Undoubtedly it was
and south, as far as his eye could see, it was colder than fifty below—how much colder
unbroken white, save for a dark hairline that he did not know. But the temperature did not
was the trail that led south five hundred miles matter. He was bound for the old claim on
to the Chilcoot Pass. the left fork of Henderson Creek where the
But all this—the mysterious, far-reaching boys were already. They had come over
hairline trail, the absence of sun from the sky, across the divide from the Indian Creek
the tremendous cold, and the strangeness and country, while he had come the roundabout
weirdness of it all—made no impression on way to take a look at the possibilities of
the man. He was a newcomer in the land and getting out logs in the spring from the islands
this was his first winter. The trouble with in the Yukon. He would be in to camp by six
him was that he was without imagination. o'clock; a bit after dark, it was true, but the

1°3 TO BUILDA FIRE 31

boys would be there, a fire would be going, He plunged in among the big spruce
and a hot supper would be ready. As for trees. The trail was faint. He was glad he
lunch, he pressed his hand against the was without a sled, traveling light. In fact,
protruding bundle under his jacket. It he carried nothing but the lunch wrapped in
was also under his shirt, wrapped up in a the handkerchief. He was surprised, however,
handkerchief and lying against the naked at the cold. It certainly was cold, he con-
skin. It was the only way to keep the biscuits cluded, as he rubbed his numb nose and
from freezing. cheekbones with his mittened hand.

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 192.

— . This story takes place 5. The ice on the Yukon River is

O a. in the Yukon Territory. O a. melting quickly.
Ob. during an Arctic expedition. Ob. frozen three feet thick.
Oc. in Siberia. Oc. smooth as glass.

2. In what season is the 6. Why was the man out walking in the snow?
story set? Oa. He was lost and looking for the trail.
0 a. fall Ob. He was looking for logs to get
Ob. spring next spring.
Oc. winter Oc. He was seeking help for his friends.

3. The sky above the man was 7. Why was the man glad he had no sled?
O a. bright with sunlight. QO a. He didn’t have time to use it.
Ob. clear and cloudless. Ob. He thought he could travel faster
Oc. dim and cloudy. without one.
Oc. He didn’t know how to use one.
4. The country the man is traveling
in is 8. The man appears to be
O a. thickly forested. DO a. lonely and frightened.
0 b. unexplored. Ob. calm and confident.
Oc. dangerous. Oc. confused about directions.

1°3 TOBUILDA FIRE

 The following passage, taken from the selection you
have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 192.

But all this—the mysterious, far-reaching 1. a. newcomer b. old hand c. blot

d. veteran e. man
hairline trail, the absence of sun from the sky,

the tremendous cold, and the strangeness and

2 a. fun b. time c. trouble
weirdness of it all—made no impression on the
d. man e. woman
man. He was a in the land and
1

this was his first winter. The

3. a. also b. not c. anyway
with him was that he was without econ d. besides e. often
He was quick and alert in the things of life, but
only in the things, and in the 4. a. steamy b. surprising c. dark
d. damp e. cold
significances. Fifty degrees below zero meant
eighty-odd degrees of frost. Such fact impressed
a a. live b. sing c. breathe
him as being and uncomfort-
d. drive e. play
able, and that was all.It did not lead him to

meditate upon his frailty in general, able only

6. a. at b. against c. for
to within certain narrow limits d. to e. with

of heat aa cold; and from there on it did not

lead him the conjectural field 7. a. average b. horizon c. freezing

d. boiling e. Zero
of immortality ne man’s place in the universe.
Fifty degrees below stood for a
8. a. ten b. thirty c. fifty
bit of frost that hurt and thatmust be guarded
d. seventy e. eighty-odd
against by the use of mittens, earflaps, warm
moccasins, and thick socks. Fifty degrees below
zero was to him just precisely
degrees below zero. That there should be
anything more to it than that was a thought that
never entered his head.

1°3 TO BUILDA FIRE 33

 VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x ~
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 192.

. It was a clear day, and yet there seemed an 5. It did not lead him to the conjectural
intangible pall over the face of things. . . . field of immortality and man’s place in
O a. unseen the universe.
Ob. untouchable 0 a. eternal life
Oc. inaudible Ob. eternal problems
Oc. eternal fear
. It was all pure white, rolling in gentle
undulations where the ice-jams of . As he turned to go, he spat speculatively.
the freeze-up had formed. O a. with difficulty
QO a. waves Ob. with curiosity
Ob. balls Oc. in surprise
Oc. edges
. They had come over across the
. North and south, as far as his eye could divide from the Indian Creek
see, it was unbroken white, save for a country, while he had come the
dark hairline that was the trail... . roundabout way.
D a. in spite of 0 a. longer
Ob. because Ob. shorter
Oc. except Oc. straighter

. It did not lead him to meditate upon his . As for lunch, he pressed his hand
frailty in general, able only to live within against the protruding bundle under
certain narrow limits of heat and cold. his jacket.
O a. strength Oa. clumsy
Ob. spirit Ob. sticking out
Oc. weakness Oc. heavy

1°3 TO BUILDA FIRE

Coping with an Aggressive Dog
Michael W. Fox

ae. hig La Be LORS

uf a a: a
Pa ym rea ‘
“ BIN Fd. me ent 5 eee ui
?

Reading Time

Comprehension era Een Vocabulary

1°4 COPING WITH AN AGGRESSIVE DOG 35

 Do you know what to do if you
find yourself face-to-face with an
unfriendly dog? Following the tips
in this article could help you get
safely out of a bad situation.

W. all, sooner or later, encounter mean with you. Any dog you may fear could
dogs. There is no set way for handling the become one. of your regular canine buddies
situation. Each dog is different. But all dogs if it’s waiting for a treat from you each time.
tend to conform to certain predictable rules One dog named Bruce used to wait for me on
of behavior. When you find yourself face-to- my paper route; after I got to his house, he
face with an aggressive animal, knowing would tag along on the rest of my deliveries.
these rules can help you avoid trouble. Here If you do get a buddy dog, watch out for
are some general words of advice: traffic. Some dogs have no traffic sense and
1. Never stare at a dog. Staring is a threat. shouldn’t be encouraged to enter the street.
A dog may read a stare as a challenge and 5. Observe how a strange dog reacts to you
attack you. as you approach it slowly. If the dog’s in its
2. Never run or walk quickly past—or away own territory, it will probably bark at you. If
from—a strange dog. Your flight may release it stays still, backs off, or comes toward you
the dog’s chase response, and you may get with its tail wagging in a low position, the
bitten. Always pass a dog slowly, even back- dog is not likely to bite, even though he
wards (facing the animal) if you believe it keeps barking.
may chase you when you leave its territory. But if the dog stiffens, holds it head high,
(Its territory includes its house, yard, and part snarls, and stares at you, be careful. If it
of the street.) lowers its head as though ready to charge,
3. Try to avoid showing your fear. Keep or is snarling and showing its teeth, don’t
calm. A dog can read fear in your eyes and go any closer.
body movements. Whistle, walk slowly, speak 6. As you leave the dog's territory, remember
in a firm and confident voice. You might say, the golden rule of “cool.” Don’t turn and run;
for example, “Good dog, I’m your friend,” or back away slowly, keeping the dog in view all
“Good dog, why don’t you go home?” the time. Remember, since many people get
4. Remember that even friendly dogs will bitten as they are leaving a dog’s territory, the
bark at you. It is their job to defend their dog may read it as weakness or submission if
territory, and you may be intruding. Talk to you turn your back and walk away. If a dog
the dog and smile if it wags its tail and seems to be after you, face up to it and stand
doesn’t snarl or put up the hair on its back. your ground. Call out to its owners, and shout
Stand still and call it to you. The dog may in a powerful, angry voice: “No, boy, down.
want to be friends. If it approaches in a Go home!” This may be enough bluff to
friendly way, stand still so it can sniff you. scare the dog away.
That’s good manners. Then bend or squat Never lean back. Any backward move-
down and let it sniff your hand. ment appears to the dog as fear. Keep your
If you have a newspaper route or other weight forward. If the dog jumps at you,
delivery job, take cookies or dog biscuits you'll be ready. An upward thrust with your

36 1°4 COPING WITH AN AGGRESSIVE DOG

knee into the dog’s chest and a faceful of will be less likely to challenge you.
your jacket sleeve will deter many dogs. 9. Never try to forcibly make friends with a
7. Dogs rarely attack, so don’t start worry- strange dog. Let it come to you. There’s noth-
ing and acting scared around any dog. Most ing wrong with you if you like dogs but some
dogs are like you and me. They’re scared seem to bark at you and hate you anyway.
about getting into a fight but they sometimes They may be scared or putting on a show
like to act tough, especially around their own because you're a stranger, trying to drive you
block. Don’t ignore dogs you meet; that away from their territory.
might make them suspicious. Say, “Hi, dog, Let me encourage you to get to know
how are you today?” If you act friendly and and enjoy the friendly and curious dogs that
confident, the dog won’t be scared and you meet.

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 192.

1. Why shouldn’t you stare at a dog? 5. Which phrase best describes “traffic sense”?
O a. The dog may run away. O a. awareness of oncoming cars
0 b. The dog may feel threatened. Ob. awareness of where you parked
Oc. The dog may not notice you. Oc. awareness of how to drive

2. The author suggests taking cookies or 6. What should you do if a dog attacks you?
biscuits on a delivery job to 0 a. face up to it
0 a. give to the dogs you will meet. Ob. run away
Ob. eat when you get hungry. Oc. play dead
O c. give to the people you will meet.
7. If dogs rarely attack, why did the author
3. When a dog snarls, you should write this piece?
0 a. slowly move closer. O a. to make you afraid of dogs
Ob. jump as high as you can. O b. to help you with the few that may attack
Oc. slowly move away. O c. to give dogs a bad reputation

4. The author says you shouldn’t ignore 8. You shouldn’t try to force a dog to be
dogs because friends because
0 a. you may hurt their feelings. O a. some dogs don’t like to make friends.
O b. they might get suspicious. Ob. most dogs are dangerous.
Oc. they might go away. Oc. some dogs have diseases.

1°4 COPING WITH AN AGGRESSIVE DOG 37

 The following passage, taken from the selection you
have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 192.

Remember that even friendly dogs will 1. a. parents b. children c. city

bark at you. It is their job to defend their: ds5 teeming

i t
a| xe country
, and you may be intruding.
tet 2 a.tail b.ears c. feet
Talk to the dog and smile if it wags its Fg tepan nig wa

and doesn’t snarl or put

2
up the hair on its back. Stand still and
ah a. them b. itself Cc. go
call it to . The dog may d. stay e. you
3
want to be friends. If it approaches in a
friendly way, stand still so it can sniff you. 4. a. no b. any c. good

That's manners. Then d.evil —_e. harmful

4
bend or squat down and let it sniff
oy a. ad b. route c. stand
your hand. d.box e. holder
If you have a newspaper

or other delivery job, take cookies or

6. a. person b. cat c. man
dog biscuits with you. Any d. dog e. creature
6
you may fear could become one of your

regular canine buddies if it’s waiting a a. kick b. hand c. foot

d. newspaper e. treat
for a 5 from you each time. pape
One dog named Bruce used to wait for
8. a. fleas b. cats c. traffic
me on m y paper route;te; after
after IIgot to hihis
got to d.dogs —e. hair
house, he would tag along on the rest of
my deliveries.
If you do get a buddy dog, watch out for

: . Some dogs have no traffic

sense and shouldn’t be encouraged to enter
the street.

38 1°4 COPING WITH AN AGGRESSIVE DOG

 VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 192.

. We all, sooner or later, encounter 5. Any dog you may fear could
mean dogs. become one of your regular canine
O a. make buddies. . . .
Ob. meet 0 a. dog
Oc. hurt Ob. hungry
Oc. friendly
. When you find yourself face-to-face with
an aggressive animal, knowing these rules . Observe how a strange dog reacts to you
can help you avoid trouble. as you approach it slowly.
0 a. barking 0 a. retreats
Ob. angry Ob. snarls
Oc. strange Oc. responds

. Your flight may release the dog’s chase . Don’t ignore dogs you meet; that might
response, and you may get bitten. make them suspicious.
O a. fear O a. think nothing is wrong
0 b. appearance Ob. think you are angry
Oc. retreat Oc. think something is wrong

. It is their job to defend their territory, and . Never try to forcibly make friends with
you may be intruding. a strange dog.
O a. leaving without permission O a. repeatedly
Ob. entering without permission Ob. falsely
O c. entering with permission Oc. strongly

1°4 COPING WITH AN AGGRESSIVE DOG 39

 125

The Martial Arts |

Susan Ribner and Dr. Richard Chin

Reading Time Maze

Comprehension aoe ee) Vocabulary

40 1°5 THEMARTIAL ARTS

 This passage is from The Martial Arts by
Susan Ribner and Dr. Richard Chin. The
book describes each of the different kinds
of martial arts practiced today. If you are
interested in reading more of this book or
more about the martial arts, ask about
them at your school or public library.

GC: ago in China a small old man and the three bandits landed in a heap.
with a long beard was walking through the Realizing that they were in the presence
woods, leaning on a gnarled walking stick. of a master, the three fell to their knees and
At a turn in the path he found three bandits begged the old man to forgive them. “Take
attacking a poor peasant who was on his way us as your students, please, teach us what
home from market. The old man approached you know.”
the bandits slowly and said in a soft but firm “T cannot teach you my fighting art,” said
voice, “Stop. Leave that man alone.” the old man, “for this art cannot be given to
“Go away, old man. Mind your own busi- those who will use it to bully other people.
ness!” commanded the leader of the bandits, The martial arts are for those of good char-
a towering, bearlike man. acter who will protect people from bullies
Calmly the old man replied, “Don’t you like you. In fact, if you do not have the right
know that if you do evil, evil will come back attitude, I could teach you for the rest of my
to you?” life and yours, and you still would not com-
“Stop preaching, old man, or I'll smash prehend this art.”
you like this,” said the huge man, and kicked The three bandits continued to plead,
at a nearby tree, smashing it in half. and promised they would change their ways
The old man smiled faintly. “I do not fear and give up their bandit lives. After they
you,” he said. apologized to the much-relieved peasant, the
With that, this headstrong bandit lost his bandits and the old man walked off into the
temper and kicked out at the small man. woods together.
Seemingly without effort, the old man We do not know what became of the three
brushed aside the kick, and the bandit went bandits, but we do know that what happened
crashing on his back in the dust. in this story is symbolically important in the
The second bandit, a tall, wiry woman history of the martial arts. For this old man
with piercing eyes, drew her sword and was a kung fu master of the Shaolin mon-
rushed toward the old man. She slashed at the astery. Around the year A.D. 600, he and
man’s head, but before she completed the other monks and nuns of that order—some
move, the old man had already moved out of of the great kung fu masters of their ttme—
range. The woman turned around to see the developed the fighting arts in ways never
third bandit, who had tried to tackle the old attempted before, and in a manner that pro-
man’s legs, go flying through the air and land foundly influenced the martial arts as we
in a big puddle of mud. know them today.
The three bandits, now outraged at this According to legend, about 1,500 years
humiliation, growled, cursed, made fierce ago, a Buddhist monk traveled several thou-
faces, and attacked the old man all at once. sand miles from India into China, walking
But the little man could not be touched, alone over the Himalaya Mountains, through

1°5 THE MARTIAL ARTS 41

 forests filled with wild animals, through certain exercises to make them healthier and
swamps, over unbridged rivers. His name stronger, telling them they could never become
was Bodhidarma, and he was to found what spiritually strong if they were physically weak.
is now known as Zen Buddhism. These new exercises—special hand
After receiving permission from the Chi- movements, body positions, and breathing
nese emperor to remain in China, Bodhidarma exercises—also turned out to be useful as
traveled to a Buddhist monastery in Honan self-defense techniques. One of the exercises
Province. This monastery, hidden away in the the monks practiced was standing in a special
middle of a green forest, was called Shaolin. position called Horse-Riding Stance. It was
Bodhidarma began to instruct the monks in called this because the position resembles
his way of Buddhism, but he found that they how one looks sitting on a horse—both legs
were so weak from their inactive life in the wide apart, knees bent, and back straight.
monastery that they would fall asleep during The Shaolin monks practiced this exercise by
the meditations he was trying to teach them. standing in Horse-Riding Stance for as long
So Bodhidarma proceeded to give the monks as one hour at a time.

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 192.

1. The bandits attacked the old man 4. Bodhidarma wanted the monks and nuns
because he to be physically strong so that they could
Oa. was very rich. O a. be spiritually strong.
Ob. had insulted them. Ob. defend themselves.
O c. was protecting the peasant. Oc. patrol the countryside.

2. The old man told the bandits that he could 5. This story took place
not teach them his fighting arts because Oa. recently.
Oa. he had too many students. Ob. hundreds of years ago.
Ob. they could not pay him. Oc. in the spring.
Oc. they would bully other people.
6. Although the bandits outnumbered the
3. The old man was a old man, he
O a. kung fu master. O a. used their strengths against them.
Ob. king. QO b. had friends who could help him.
O c. Zen Buddhist. Oc. had more weapons.

42 1°5 THE MARTIAL ARTS

7. The bandits 8. Shaolin monks practiced the Horse-Riding
0 a. robbed the old man. Stance for as long as an hour at a time in
Ob. killed the peasant. order to
Oc. repented of their evil deeds. O a. improve their posture.
Ob. become stronger.
O c. please the bandits.

The following passage, taken from the selection you

have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 192.

According to legend, about 1,500 years 1. a. friends b. people c. countries

ago, a Buddhist monk traveled several thou- cme a
sand from India into
I 2. a. inside b. under c. through
Chiina, walking
Iking alone
al over thethe Himal
Himalaya insti eohencath
Mountains, through forests filled with wild

ae Ns 3. a.China b.Spain _c. India

unbridged rivers. His name was Bodhidarma, d. Italy e. Zen
and he was to found what is now known as
Zen Buddhism. 4. a. top b. rim c. edge
a me d. side e. middle
After receiving permission from the
Chinese emperor to remain in
5. a. inactive b. active c. lonely
, Bodhidarma traveled to a d. busy e. hard
3
Buddhist monastery in Honan Province. This
monastery, hidden away in the
of a green forest, was called
4
Shaolin. Bodhidarma began to instruct the,
monks in his way of Buddhism, but he found
that they were so weak from their
life in the monastery that

1°5 THE MARTIAL ARTS 43

 they would fall asleep during the meditations 6. a. laws b. exercises c. books
d. drugs e. herbs
he was trying to teach them. So Bodhidarma
proceeded to give the monks certain
ye a. strong b. weak c. fit
to make them healthier and
d. aware e. spiritual
oe telling them they could never
become spiritually strong if they were physi-
8. a. peasants b. jockeys c. horses
cally d. monks e. bandits

These new exercises—special hand

movements, body positions, and breathing
exercises—also turned out to be useful as
self-defense techniques. One of the exercises
the practiced was standing in
[an el
a special position called Horse-Riding Stance.

VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 192.

1. Centuries ago in China a small old man 3. Seemingly without effort, the old man
with a long beard was walking through the brushed aside the kick, and the bandit
woods, leaning on a gnarled walking stick. went crashing on his back in the dust.
0 a. twisted O a. easily
Ob. broken Ob. apparently
Oc. metal O c. painfully

2. With that, the headstrong bandit lost 4. The three bandits, now outraged at this
his temper and kicked out at the humiliation, growled, cursed, made fierce
small man. faces, and attacked the old man at once.
O a. simple O a. calm
0 b. clever Ob. upset
Oc. impatient QO c. concerned

1°5 THE MARTIAL ARTS

5. The three bandits continued to 7. . . developed the fighting arts in ways
plead, and promised that they never attempted before, and in a manner
would change their ways and give that profoundly influenced the martial arts
up their bandit lives. as we know them today.
Oa. cough QO a. never
O b. fight O b. barely
lic. beg Oc. deeply

6. “In fact, if you do not have the right . It was called this because the position
attitude, I could teach you for the rest resembles how one looks sitting on a
of my life and yours, and you still would horse—both legs wide apart, knees bent,
not comprehend this art.” and back straight.
0 a. understand Oa. appears like
Ob. purchase Ob. sounds like
Oc. steal Oc. stands on

1°5 THE MARTIAL ARTS 45

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 2°1

The Little Giant of Juggling

Louis Sabin

© 1982 Roger Dollarhide

Reading Time Maze

Comprehension Vocabulary

48 = 2¢1 THELITTLE GIANT OF JUGGLING

 Here is the story of a young juggler who seems
to defy the laws of gravity every time he steps
on stage. If you would like to read more about
juggling, ask your school or public librarian to
show you more places you can learn about it.

T. audience sits spellbound as Anthony juggled six clubs for more than 50 throws.
Gatto performs one juggling miracle after “Also, there are only two people in the
another. Like a creature with four hands, the world who can juggle seven clubs. Anthony is
13-year-old fills the air with whirling objects. one of them,” Mr. Gatto says proudly. “He
He starts by tossing five balls overhead. broke the old record of juggling seven clubs
They rise in an unbroken ribbon of motion. for seven throws by doing over 50 throws.
Then, with ease, he adds two more balls, for Then Anthony did something nobody had
a total of seven. ever done. He juggled eight clubs. And he did
A thrill of delight ripples through the 13 throws with them!”
audience. Anthony smiles. He can feel the These record-smashing feats were accom-
people responding, but he doesn’t see them. plished at the 39th annual convention of the
His eyes are fixed on the balls whirling like International Jugglers Association, held in
atoms in his own private universe. San Jose, California. In that contest, Anthony
Moments later, the young genius of jug- competed against the world’s best jugglers.
gling tosses the balls to his father, Nick, his Many were more than twice his age, but there
onstage assistant. Now Anthony starts to jug- was no doubt who was best. Judges awarded
gle rings. They leap off his fingers like halos, Anthony 94.83 points out of 100, earning him
moving up and down in a vertical dance. the gold medal. His record score topped the
Five rings become six, six become seven, previous record by more than five points.
then eight . . . and the audience is silent. “Tt felt great to win,” Anthony recalls, his
They know they are seeing the type of blue eyes sparkling. “Especially because the
performer that comes along maybe once first prize was $1,000. I spent some of it on a
a century. dirt bike.”
The awed hush continues as Anthony Should jugglers ride dirt bikes? It would
switches from rings to wooden clubs. He only take one bad spill to end a great career.
starts with two and builds up to six. Someone “Sure, my wife and I worry,” says Mr. Gatto,
applauds, and the silence is broken. But referring to Anthony’s mom, Barbara, “but
Anthony juggles on. we believe Anthony should enjoy his
The audience seems amazed that this slim, childhood. These are his golden years. So we
5-foot-2-inch performer—still a boy—can do let him ride the bike—and pray everything
what he’s doing. But in juggling Anthony is goes well.”
king. In fact, he had broken nine of juggling’s While Anthony spends some of his earnings,
world records. his parents see that most goes into his bank
“Among them,” Nick Gatto says, “is the account. When interviewed for this story, he
record for juggling clubs. The old record was was performing at Bally’s Hotel in Las Vegas,
juggling six clubs for 11 throws. (A throw is Nevada, for more than $1,000 a week.
one toss of an item into the air.) Anthony Though still young, Anthony has been

2°1 THELITTLE GIANT OF JUGGLING 49

 juggling a long time. His father, a former I really wanted to do all my life: juggle.”
professional acrobat, taught all five of his His father says, “There’s something special
children how to juggle and tumble. Little about Anthony’s juggling. Always has been.
Anthony, the youngest, started at age 3 after And I don’t know how to explain it. When
seeing his brother Robby juggling in the he juggles, the things seem to pause, to hang
kitchen. “Show me too!” he demanded. in midair.
Baby Anthony was a natural. In no time, “One time, in Australia, a juggler came
he advanced way beyond simple tricks like backstage and asked if there was something
balancing a paper cone on his nose. By age different about the balls Anthony uses. They
five the joy of juggling was his forever. He seem to stay in the air an extra fraction of a
was keeping balls, rings, and other things second.” Nick Gatto shrugs. “It’s a puzzle to
airborne with the skill of an old-timer. me. When Anthony juggles, the balls, rings,
“When I was real little,’ Anthony says, and clubs do seem to fight the law of gravity.
“T thought about being a veterinarian They just won’t drop as fast as they should!”
or a boxer. But before long I knew what “T love my life,” Anthony says.

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 193.

1. What word best describes how audiences 4. When did Anthony start juggling?
feel about Anthony’s skill? O a. at birth
Oa. envy Ob. at age three
Ob. awe Oc. at age ten
Oc. love

2. With his prize money, Anthony 5. Most of Anthony’s earnings are

O a. bought gifts for his parents. QO a. used to support his family.
Ob. bought a dirt bike. Cb. spent on travel and equipment.
Oc. traveled to Nevada. Oc. put in the bank.

iS) . Besides Anthony, how many people have

juggled eight clubs? 6. Anthony’s father is
QO a. none O a. also a star juggler.
Ob. one Ob. Anthony’s assistant.
Oc. two Oc. a hotel manager.

50 2°1 THELITTLE GIANT OF JUGGLING

7. How does Anthony get the balls to stay in 8. Why didn’t Anthony become a veterinarian?
the air longer? Oa. He liked juggling better.
Oa. He puts a special spin on them. Ob. He decided to leave school.
Ob. He uses special balls. Oc. He didn’t have enough money
Oc. He doesn’t know. for school.

The following passage, taken from the selection you

have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 193.

The audience sits spellbound as Anthony ik a. all b. dinner c. hours

Gatto performs one juggling miracle after deanoiies er gs
. Like a creature with four
1 .

hands, the 13-year-old fills the air with Pie era

d. sticks
agese. thingsage Das
whirling objects.

Sak RSS 2 3. a.thrill b.pain cc. chill

overhead. They rise in an unbroken ribbon of d. taste eaDEeceze

motion. Then, with ease, he adds two more

balls, for a total of seven. 4. a. anything b. balls c. them

A___ of delight ripples through d. spots e. himself

3
the audience. Anthony smiles. He can feel the
5. a. ancient b. young c. old
people responding, but he doesn’t see Ae iat
. His eyes are fixed on the balls
4

whirling like atoms in his own private universe. 6

a. drop b. juggle c. make
Moments later, the genius of d. find e. catch

juggling tosses the balls to hisfather, Nick, his

onstage assistant. Now Anthony starts to
rings. They leap off his fingers
like halos, moving up and down in a vertical

dance.

2¢1 THELITTLE GIANT OF JUGGLING 51

 Five rings become six, six become seven, re a. boy b. ring c. father
d. author e. audience
then eight . . . and the ; is
silent. They know they are seeing the type of
8. a. century b. decade c. year
performer that comes along maybe once a d. month e. week

VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 193.

. Like a creature with four hands, the 13- oy His record score topped the previous
year-old fills the air with whirling objects. record by more than five points.
OD a. colorful 0 a. better
0 b. buzzing O b. earlier
Oc. spinning Oc. losing

. The audience sits spellbound as Anthony . “Tt felt great to win,” Anthony recalls,
Gatto performs one juggling miracle his blue eyes sparkling.
after another. O a. remembers
OD a. silent Ob. disagrees
Ob. cheering Oc. answers
Oc. fascinated

. They leap off his fingers like halos, ~ His father, a former professional acrobat,
moving up and down in a vertical dance. taught all five of his children how to
OD a. circles juggle and tumble.
0 b. squares 0 a. real
Oc. balls Ob. earlier
Oc. rural
. These record-smashing feats were
accomplished at the 39th annual . “They seem to stay in the air an
convention of the International extra fraction of a second,” Nick
Jugglers Association. .. . Gatto shrugs.
0 a. attempted Oa. group
0 b. beaten Ob. couple
Oc. achieved Oc. part

52 2°1 THE LITTLE GIANT OF JUGGLING

 2°2

Thirteen Ways to Sink a Sub

Jamie Gilson

Reading Time Maze

Comprehension Vocabulary

2°2 THIRTEEN WAYS TO SINK A SUB 53

 Thirteen Ways to Sink a Sub by Jamie
Gilson tells about a substitute teacher—
and the class that can’t wait to get
her. If you are interested in reading
more of this book, ask for it at your
school or public library.

: slammed the front door, jumped the steps, As we ran to rescue it, the Oldsmobile
and tossed my old red kickball across the waiting in line behind the bus honked at us.
yard to Nick Rossi, who lives next door. We Oongk! Oongk!
had twenty-two minutes to get to school. We ignored it.
“T’ve got the moustache,” I told him, Oongk! Oongk! Oongk!
clutching its long spidery hairs in my coat Nick leaped up like a rocket into space.
pocket. “Did you bring the bow tie?” Actually, he jumped about four feet across a
“Yeah,” he said, dribbling the kickball square. A concrete square on the sidewalk. I
down the sidewalk, “it’s in my backpack. My stepped on it. “Stinkfish!” he yelled. “I caught
notes, too. Don’t panic. We’ll be spectacular.” you! Stinkfish!” The square he’d jumped over
I'd made the moustache out of fake hair was one of those with the concrete maker’s
off an old Wolf Man Halloween wig. It was name stamped in it. “Laid by Jas. Wiggleton,
part of my costume for our Social Studies Stockton, Illinois—1929—,” it read. There
report, which would be a long way from are lots of squares like that on the way to
spectacular. But if it wasn’t at least good, our school and if you step on one, you're auto-
teacher, Mr. Star, would torpedo us. He matically a stinkfish.
grades hard. “T got you. I finally got you,” Nick yelped.
We got to the corner just as the school bus He picked the ball out of the bush it was
stopped for the sign. From inside it R. X. stuck in and dashed down the sidewalk,
Shea yelled at us, waving his arms and yelling, “Stinkfish, stinkfish!”
pressing his nose pig-flat against the steamy I know every one of those squares from
window. Marshall Ezry aimed a paper air- my door to the door of Central School
plane through his window, which was open because I’ve walked there from kindergarten
just a slit. In Stockton, Illinois, where we live, through the middle of fourth grade and ’m
kids whose houses are more than a mile from very, very good at not stepping on them. I
school get to ride free. Nick and I live eight wouldn’t have got that one either if it hadn’t
blocks from Central School and, instead of been for the stupid horn.
paying big bucks to ride, we walk, even on Oongk! Oongk! Oongk! it blasted again, and
February days that make our ears turn blue. I turned to snarl.
Nick poked at a pile of frozen snow near the “Hobie Hanson,” a voice shrieked from
curb, trying to break enough loose so he could the car, “you want a ride?” Nick galloped
whip a snowball at the bus. I picked up my back, yelling, “Hobie is a stinkfish!”
kickball and let it fly at Marshall’s window. “Nick!” the voice yelled again. “You've got
But we were both too slow. The bus roared to help us with this humungous box.”
off in a cloud of blue-gray fumes, leaving Nick and I looked at each other, decided we
Nick with a handful of ice crumbs, and me hadn't heard a thing, and started off full speed
with my kickball somewhere across the street. toward school, still a good seven blocks away.

2°2 THIRTEEN WAYS TO SINK A SUB

We had run all of ten squares, though, when “Ho-bie, you left the rest of your rice
the car screeched up beside us. candy at my house,” Molly yelled. She is the
“Hobie and Nick, you stop now!” the voice world’s bossiest kid, with a high squeaky
demanded. We knew who it was, of course. It voice that is soprano and then some. It was
was Molly Bosco. We were giving our report sticky candy from China and Id left it there
with her and Lisa Soloman that afternoon. because it tasted like perfume.
Not because we wanted to. We were assigned “Tm not supposed to get in cars with
to be on the same team by Mr. Star, who people who offer me candy,” Nick told her,
keeps saying boys and girls should learn to tossing the ball in the air and bouncing it off
work together. Aargh! Anyway, in fourth his head.
grade Social Studies you spend a whole Molly’s grandmother, Mrs. Bosco, was
month on Cultures of the World. Our team’s driving. Mrs. Bosco is very tall and very fat
culture was China. and deaf enough so she shouts a lot.

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 193.

1. Hobie made a fake moustache out of 5. Nick and Hobie are

O a. a Halloween wig. O a. enemies.
Ob. carpet scraps. Ob. neighbors.
Oc. a handful of string. O c. brothers.

2. The boys don’t ride the bus to school 6. What grade are Nick and Hobie in?
because they O a. eighth
0 a. enjoy walking. Ob. sixth
Ob. dislike the bus driver. Oc. fourth
Oc. want to save money.
7. When they hear the car horn the boys
3. Nick called Hobie a stinkfish because Hobie Oa. run to get in the car.
0 a. hit him with the kickball. Ob. climb on to the school bus.
O b. stepped on a square with a name on it. Oc. pretend they haven’t heard
Oc. ran in front of a car. anything.

4. Hobie left his rice candy at Molly’s 8. Mr. Star

house because Oa. is a very easy grader.
D a. he forgot to take it when he left. Ob. wants boys and girls to get along
Ob. Molly asked for it. with each other.
O c. it tasted like perfume. Oc. teaches English and reading.

2°2 THIRTEEN WAYS TO SINK A SUB 55

 The following passage, taken from the selection you
have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 193.

We got to the corner just as the school bus 1. a. under b. outside c. inside
d. behind __ e. ahead
stopped forthe sign. From sit
1
R. X. Shea yelled at us, waving his arms and
rim e ; 2. a. door b. glasses c. books
pressing his nose pig-flat against the steamy ee viata erence

. Marshall Ezry aimed a

2
paper airplane through his window, which 3 emer gees ake

was open just a slit. In Stockton, Illinois, d. study e. pay

where we live, kids whose houses are more

than a mile from school get to 4. a. they b. I c. you

free. Nick and I live eight d. don't €. we
3
blocks from Central School and, instead of
5. a. melted b. frozen c. spongy
paying big bucks to ride,
Ser TRE d. soft e. salty
walk, even on February days that make our

eer age 6.a. kickball b. notebook _c. snowball

Nick poked at a pile of d. rock e. pencil
snow near the curb, trying to oer enough

loose so he could whip a snowball at the bus. 7. a. leaving b. covering c. piling

I picked up my and let it fly FEE otlaceun
at Marshall’s window. But we were both too
8. a. looked b. waved c. honked
slow. The bus roared off in a cloud of blue- :
d. called e. cried
gray fumes, Nick with a
handful of ice See and me with my
kickball somewhere across the street.
As we ran to rescue it, the Oldsmobile

waiting in line behind the bus

at us. Oongk! Oongk!

56 2¢2 THIRTEEN WAYS TO SINK A SUB

 VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 193.

— . “ve got the moustache,” I told him, 5. “Hobie Hanson,” a voice shrieked from
clutching its long spidery hairs in my the car, “you want a ride?”
coat pocket. O a. ran
O a. tearing Ob. leaped
0 b. dropping Oc. screamed
0 c. grabbing
. “You’ve got to help us with this
. “Don’t panic. We’ll be spectacular.” humungous box.”
0 a. terrible O a. huge
Ob. great O b. light
Oc. ordinary Oc. old

. But if it wasn’t at least good, our teacher, . We had run all of ten squares,
Mr. Star, would torpedo us. though, when the car screeched up
0 a. destroy beside us.
Ob. applaud O a. squealed
Oc. forget Ob. started
Oc. passed
Marshall Ezry aimed a paper airplane
through his window, which was open . “Hobie and Nick, you stop now!” the voice
just a slit. demanded.
0 a. cave 0 a. cried
Ob. crack Ob. whispered
Oc. minute Oc. ordered

2°2 THIRTEEN WAYS TO SINK A SUB 57

 2°3

She Wanted to Read |

Ella Kaiser Carruth

Reading Time Maze

Comprehension Vocabulary

58 2°3 SHE WANTED TO READ

 The following passage is taken from She Wanted to
Read by Ella Kaiser Carruth. It is the biography of
Mary McLeod Bethune, a black educator who
spent her whole life working for the improvement
of educational opportunities for black students. If
you are interested in reading more of this book,
ask for it at your school or public library.

Fi... Flagler was building a railroad all steps wobbled so that she had to hang onto
the way down the east coast of Florida, from the shaky railing to keep from falling, the
Jacksonville to Miami. He was employing house was dirty, it had a leaky roof. In most
Negro workers because they were cheap. A of the windows the panes of glass were
great many of them were in Daytona. Most of broken or cracked.
them had children. They were living in Eleven dollars a month! Mary said she
shacks worse then those in The Terry in only had $1.50. She promised to pay the
Augusta. The children were running wild in rent as soon as she could earn the money.
the streets. Mary seemed to hear a voice say, The owner trusted her. By the time she was
“That is the place. Build your school there.” sure she could have the building, she had
Her husband, Albertus, wasn’t so sure five little girls from the neighborhood as
about her school. He thought Palatka was a her pupils.
pretty good place for them to live. Mary What a school! A rickety old house and five
listened but she never gave up her idea. She little girls!
knew that if she went to Daytona, Albertus The little girls pitched in and cleaned the
would come too. house. The neighbors helped with scrubbing
One day she begged a ride for herself and brushes, brooms, hammers, nails, and saws.
her little boy with a family that was going to Soon the cottage could be lived in, but there
Daytona. It was only seventy miles away. But were no chairs, no tables, no beds. There was
in 1904 the sand was deep on Florida roads. no stove. However there were no pots and
Practically no one had an automobile— pans to cook in even if there had been a stove.
certainly not the poor family that gave Mary Mary set about changing these things. She
and little Albert a ride. So it was three dusty found things in trash piles and the city dump.
days after they left Palatka before they Nobody but Mrs. Bethune would have
reached Daytona. There Mary hunted up the thought of making tables and chairs and
only person she knew and she and little desks from the old crates she picked up and
Albert stayed with this friend for a few days. brought home. Behind the hotels on the
As she had done in The Terry in Augusta, beach she found cracked dishes, old lamps,
Mary walked up and down the poor streets of even some old clothes. She took them home
Daytona. She was looking for two things—a too. Everything was scoured and mended and
building for the school she was determined to used. “Keep things clean and neat” was her
start and some pupils for that school. motto then; and as long as she lived the
After a day or two, she found an empty pupils in her school had to live up to that
shack on Oak Street. She thought this would motto. She found a piece of gay cretonne and
do. The owner said she could rent it for made a ruffled skirt of it to brighten up the
$11.00 a month. But it wasn’t worth that packing box she used for her own desk.
much. The paint had peeled off, the front Her little pupils had no pencils. They wrote

2°3 SHE WANTED TO READ 59

 with charcoal slivers made from burned logs. Unexpectedly, the problem was solved for
Their ink was elderberry juice. What good her. One day a wrinkled old white neighbor
was ink or a pencil if there was no paper to said to her, “Can you read?”
write on? Mrs. Bethune took care of that too. Mary said, “Yes.”
Every time she went to the store to get a “Then will you read me this letter from
little food, or a few pots and pans, she had my son? I can’t find my glasses.”
each article wrapped separately. The pieces of Mary read the letter to her.
wrapping paper were carefully removed and “Thanks,” said the mother.
smoothed out. The little girls used this paper to Mary turned to go. “You're welcome.”
write their lessons with their charcoal pencils. The old woman stood by her open door
She needed a cookstove very badly but she and thought amoment. Then she said, “I got
couldn’t pay for one. What should she do? an old cook stove. ’Tain’t doin’ me a mite 0’
Her little pupils had to have warm food. good. Would you want it?”

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 193.

— . Henry Flagler employed Negro 5. Mary found pupils for her school by
workers because O a. walking up and down the streets.
Oa. they were the only ones who Ob. advertising in the newspaper.
would work. Oc. calling on a friend.
Ob. they were cheap.
Oc. he wanted to help them. 6. Mary began her school with
0 a. eleven pupils.
2. Mary started her school in Ob. five pupils.
O a. Augusta. Oc. seven pupils.
Ob. Daytona.
Oc. Palatka. 7. Why did Mary dig through trash piles?
O a. She was looking for something
3. Mary’s husband, Albertus, she had lost.
O a. worked for Henry Flagler. Ob. She was looking for things
QO b. doubted her plans. she could use.
Oc. traveled to Daytona. Oc. She was looking for money.

4. How much money did Mary take 8. Mary’s pupils used elderberry juice to
to Daytona? write with because
O a. $1,500.00 Oa. they couldn’t afford ink.
0 b. $150.00 Ob. it doesn’t stain like ink does.
Oc. $150 Oc. it’s prettier than regular ink.

2°3 SHE WANTED TO READ

 The following passage, taken from the selection you
have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 193.

Mary set about changing these things. She 1. a.made b. bought c. hid
d. found e. sold
things in trash piles and the
1
city dump. Nobody but Mrs. Bethune would
have thought of making tables and chairs and oh GoM Rae ae
d. over e. around
desks the old crates she picked
i2). oa.
up and brought home. Behind the hotels on the 3. A ea b. felt ethetped
beach she found cracked dishes, old lamps, d. threw e. took

even some old clothes. She

3
them home too. Everything was scoured and 4. a.joke b. duty c. downfall
mended and used. “Keep things clean and est religion
neat” was her then; and as
4
long as she lived the pupils in her school had around ee go Dougie
d. played e. sang
to live up to that motto. She found a piece of

ey PN ee 5 ete ed 6. a. pupils b. problems c. desks

skirt of it to brighten up the packing box she d. parents e. chairs
used for her own desk.
Her little had no pencils. 7. a. pens b. people c. walls
They wrote with aol slivers made from Gateaehets sl a ez,

burned logs. Their ink was elderberry juice.

What good was ink or a pencil if there was ae Bax anetabeisin & Te Fen oy
no to write on? Mrs. Bethune

took care ofthat too.

Every time she went to the store to get a
little food, or a few pots and pans, she had
each article wrapped ne
8
pieces of wrapping paper were carefully

2°3 SHE WANTED TO READ 61

 removed and smoothed out. The little girls
used this paper to write their lessons with
their charcoal pencils.

VOCABULARY

Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below

and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 193.

— . He was employing Negro workers because 5. Everything was scoured and mended
they were cheap. and used.
O a. avoiding Oa. repaired
O b. hiring 0 b. scrubbed
Oc. mistreating Oc. scratched

. Practically no one had an automobile—

.... and as long as she lived the
certainly not the poor family that gave
Mary and little Albert a ride.
pupils in her school had to live up to
O a. almost that motto.
0 b. honestly 0 a. level
Oc. usually Ob. ideal
Oc. saying
. She was looking for two things—a
building for the school she was . They wrote with charcoal slivers made
determined to start and some pupils for
from burned logs.
that school.
Oa. lumps
Oa. wishing Ob. slices
Ob. sure
Oc. powder
O c. unwilling

. What a school! A rickety house and five . Unexpectedly, the problem was solved
little girls! for her.
O a. sturdy O a. regularly
Ob. noisy Ob. easily
Oc. flimsy Oc. surprisingly

2°3 SHE WANTED TO READ

 Just The Beginning
Betty Miles

ADO? le

Reading Time
a al eds Maze

Comprehension
Fen ae Vocabulary

2°4 JUSTTHE BEGINNING 63

 Just The Beginning by Betty Miles is
the story of an eighth grade girl and
her experiences as she and her friends
prepare for the big changes high school
will bring. If you are interested in
reading more of this book, ask for it at
your school or public library.

W... you've been absent from school, “Well, it’s good enough for Julia,” I said,
you're supposed to bring an excuse from feeling scared that maybe it wasn’t. Julia still
home to the office. It seemed as though I hadn’t heard from any college.
ought to have a note this time, too: “Please “Oh, sure, I didn’t mean Julia,” Karen said
excuse Cathy for being absent. She was quickly. “But for someone like me.”
suspended.” But no one expected a note. In a Or me, I thought. All I have on my record
way, the whole suspension thing didn’t seem is ordinary grades. And a suspension.
so well organized. Nobody really talked to us The bell rang and we went on to Mrs.
when it happened, except Mrs. Vogel. And Inman’s class. So many things were
there was nobody to talk to after it was over. happening. Suspension was over. School was
I walked in the school door and went past going to be over soon—only eight weeks to
the office to my locker, same as always. go. Julia would be graduating. Next year I'd
School was the same, too. A hall aide was be in ninth grade, and Karen would be away
standing next to my locker holding a baseball at boarding school. A lot of changes. I wasn’t
glove and arguing with two boys who had sure I was ready.
been playing catch with it in the hall. People Mrs. Inman smiled at us. “Hello, girls. I see
were banging locker doors and calling to on the teachers’ announcements that you
their friends. I looked up and saw Karen. were suspended last week. How in the world
“Hi! How did you like suspension?” I did that happen?”
asked. “They cancelled our gym class and we
“Listen, guess what?” she said. “I am went to The Break,” I said.
going to go to boarding school next year.” “That doesn’t seem so terrible,” said Mrs.
“Really?” Inman. “But there is a rule and if you get
“Yeah. I went with Mom on Friday to caught, that’s it.”
talk to people from this one school in “It’s funny, though,” I said. “Nobody even
Connecticut. It sounds neat. There’s only talked with us about it. They just sent letters
sixty kids in the whole school, and you can to our parents.”
have your own horse and keep him in a “How did you spend the time?” Mrs.
barn there.” Inman asked.
“Do you think you'll go there?” I asked. I “Cleaned my house and helped my father
hadn’t expected Karen to decide so fast. I was paint his store,” I said. “It wasn’t bad.”
surprised. In a way, my feelings were hurt. “T went for an interview at a boarding
“I don’t know. Mom wants me to look at school,” Karen said.
some other schools. But I’m definitely going “Oh? How was it?”
to go to boarding school somewhere. Mom “T liked it,” Karen said. “Anyway, ’'m
says Camden High isn’t the greatest if you going to go away to some school next year.”
want to get into a good college.” “Tn a way I’m sorry to hear that,” Mrs.

2°4 JUST THE BEGINNING

Inman said. “I always think one of the good haven’t really got started yet.” I wished I had.
things about Camden is the mixture of people Why didn’t I think about it last week?
who go to it. I would hate to see the kids “Come on, Cathy,” she said, sort of
from wealthy families leave.” disapprovingly, “you don’t need me to put you
Mrs. Inman is so frank! I don’t know in touch with Allen School, do you really?
anyone else who would just come out and What’s the name of the teacher there your
talk about things like money and people’s mother worked with?”
differences. I agree with her, but it’s hard for “Mrs. Pflaum.”
me to say it. Especially because in some ways “The way to begin is just to call Mrs.
I know I’m just jealous. Pflaum and ask her.”
“Now, Cathy, how are you coming with the I was surprised. I hadn’t expected to do the
reading-tutors project?” Mrs. Inman asked me. arranging myself. I thought that Mrs. Inman
“Well, see, Iwas waiting for you to help would call them first and explain the project.
me get in touch with Allen School, and then I The thing is, Iam sort of embarrassed about
was away being suspended,” I said. “So I making phone calls.

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 193.

1. Mrs. Inman is 4. During her suspension, Cathy

0 a. a teacher at the girls’ school. 0 a. cleaned house and painted.
O b. the principal at the girls’ school. Ob. worked at Allen School.
Oc. the mother of one of the girls. Oc. interviewed at a boarding school.

5. The boarding school Karen talks about has

2. How did Mrs. Inman learn that the girls
only 60 students because
had been suspended?
0 a. few students want to go there.
OD a. She read it in the newspaper.
Ob. they limit the number who can enter.
O b. She read it in the teachers’
Oc. the classes are very difficult.
announcements.
Oc. She received a letter from the school.
6. Why is Karen going to boarding school?
0 a. She was kicked out of Camden.
3. Karen and Cathy were suspended for Ob. Her parents have money and want
O a. cutting gym class. her to go.
O b. going to The Break. Oc. Her parents are too poor to send her
O c. visiting a boarding school. to Camden.

2°4 JUST THE BEGINNING 65

 7. Choose the word that best describes Mrs. 8. Mrs. Inman won’t arrange things for Cathy
Inman’s attitude. because she
O a. angry O a. wants Cathy to do it herself.
Ob. threatening Cb. doesn’t know how to arrange things.
Oc. concerned O c. doesn’t know what Cathy wants.

The following passage, taken from the selection you

have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 193.

When you've been absent from school, 1. a. book b. pencil Cc. paper
: d. friend e. note
you're supposed to bring an excuse from
home to the office. It seemed as though I
she 2. a. absent b. suspended c. sick
ought to have a this time, ,
Pe oe me a d. tired e. present
too: “Please excuse Cathy for being absent.

SOMES Sa eee SARI 3. a. talked b. saw c. walked

expected a note. In a way, the whole d. went e. prayed
suspension thing didn’t seem so well
organized. Nobody really 4. a. She b. They c. School
3
to us when it happened, except Mrs. Vogel. d. Mother e. Cathy

And there was nobody to talk to after it

was over. o), a. bat b. glove c. card
d. ball e. hat
I walked in the school door and went past

the office to my locker, same as always.

was the same, too. A hall

aide on standing next to my locker holding

a baseball and arguing with

5
two boys who had been playing catch with

66 2°4 JUST THE BEGINNING

it in the hall. were banging 6. a. Karen b. I c. Teachers
d. People e: He
locker doors and vil to their friends. I
looked up and saw Karen.
7. a.rooms b. house c. place
“Hi! How did you like suspension?”
d. times e. school
I asked.
“Listen, guess what?” she said. “I am
8. a. kids b. teachers Cc. principals
going to go to boarding d. buildings e. barns
next year.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I went with Mom on Friday to
talk to people from this one school in
Connecticut. It sounds neat. There’s only sixty
in the whole school, and you
can have your own horse and keep him in a
barn there.”

VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 193.

1. “Please excuse Cathy for being absent. 3. “But I’m definitely going to go to
She was suspended.” boarding school somewhere.”
OO a. sent away O a. possibly
Ob. traveling Ob. recently
Oc. very sick Oc. surely

2. I hadn’t expected Karen to decide so fast. 4. “I went for an interview at a boarding

I was surprised. school... .”
O a. prepared for 0 a. dinner
Ob. wanted Ob. class
QO c. seen Oc. meeting

2°4 JUST THE BEGINNING 67

 . “T always think one of the good things 7. “Come on, Cathy,” she said, sort of
about Camden is the mixture of people disapprovingly. . . .
who go to it.” Oa. with great anger
O a. total Ob. not being pleased
Ob. blend Oc. hopelessly
Oc. nature

. I don’t know anyone else who would just 8. The thing is, Iam sort of embarrassed
come out and talk about things like money about making phone calls.
and people’s differences. Oa. excited
QO a. contrasts O b. terrified
Ob. problems Oc. shy
Oc. similarities

68 2°4 JUST THE BEGINNING

 2°5

Bats Incredible!
Arlene Schnippert

Reading Time Maze

Comprehension hare iat Vocabulary

2°5 BATSINCREDIBLE! 69
 This article will tell you things you probably
didn’t know about the surprising habits
and abilities of bats. If you are interested
in learning more about bats, ask your
school or public librarian for help.

B.. Hundreds of thousands of bats The size of a bat can be from a few inches
spiraled upward out of the dark mouth of the to several feet in length. The largest bats
cave like a black cloud of living flesh. What have a wingspread of more than 5 feet, and a
would your reactions be to such a sight? body the size of a pigeon. Some bats can fly
Fear? Revulsion? Thoughts of vampires and as fast as 15 miles an hour, but most travel
dank caves? only about half that speed.
The bat would probably never make the Even though some bats depend on their
“pet of the month” club. However, when you vision and sense of smell to navigate at night,
look into the life and habits of bats, you will most use a phenomenon called echolocation.
soon see that this creature is indeed amazing The bats make a series of short, high-pitched
and incredible! sounds as they fly. These sounds are reflected
Our whole family became interested in the back to them from prey or other objects as
subject of bats when my middle daughter was echoes. From the echoes, the bats can figure
assigned a research report and she chose bats out the direction and distance of objects in
as her subject. Soon we were all “oohing” the area.
and “aahing” over pictures of bats. To our Most of these sounds bats make are too
surprise, we found the bat to be a complex, high-pitched for humans to hear. As the bats
interesting animal. came out of the Carlsbad Caverns, we heard
Then, on a trip last summer through New nothing but the soft swish of their wings.
Mexico, we stopped at Carlsbad Caverns. We Most people have heard of vampire bats
spent the day touring this natural wonder, and and get the idea that bats in general will
then came back at dusk to watch the bats in attack humans and feed on their blood! Only
flight. Nearly 300,000 bats leave the cave at a few of the hundreds of types of bats live
sundown to feed throughout the night and on blood. The bat that is called the vampire
then return near dawn to their cave roost. It bat is found in parts of Central and South
was a sight to see these Mexican freetail bats America, and it feeds mainly on small
come swarming out of the cave, at a rate of animals. Only rarely will it bite a human.
about 5,000 bats a minute, for nearly an hour. And it doesn’t suck all the blood from an
Bats are the only mammals that can fly, animal, but only takes about one tablespoon.
and they make up the second largest group Most species of bats feed either on insects,
of mammals in the animal world. There are fish, small rodents, plants, or fruit. Actually
more than 900 species of bats. They only they do little harm and instead they benefit
come out at night to feed. During the day man by eating large numbers of destructive
they hang upside down in sheltered places insects. They may eat as much as half their
such as caves and trees. Most bats live in weight in food each night! Bats often rest
colonies that may have as many as several during their night flights, digesting one meal,
million members. and then eating more.

2°5 BATS INCREDIBLE!

 Unlike many mammals, a bat’s body babies a year. These newborns from the start
temperature, breathing rate, and heartbeat must cling to their mothers or to the roost be-
vary greatly. They depend on the bat’s cause bats do not build nests. A baby bat may
activities and the temperature. Many bats cling to its mother for perhaps its first week,
hibernate or migrate during winter because even while she is flying and feeding at night.
of low temperatures and poor food supplies. Even though you may not want to cuddle
They spend each winter in the same cave and up to a bat or have one roosting in your
each summer in the same roost. closet, you can still appreciate some of its
Many times, the males and females occupy amazing qualities.
totally different roosts. Then for a few weeks If you see some bats flying at dusk one
each year, they come together for the mating evening, instead of feeling fear or disgust,
season. you may think to yourself, Bats really ARE
Most female bats have only one or two incredible!

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 193.

— . The bats leave Carlsbad 5. Most bats use echolocation instead

Caverns at of vision because
0 a. dusk. Oa. they are often blind.
Ob. midnight. Ob. they fly in swarms.
Oc. closing time. O c. it is more useful in the dark.

6. How can bats hear sounds we can’t?

2. How big can bat colonies get?
Oa. They hear better at high
0 a. several hundred bats
frequencies than we do.
Ob. several thousand bats
Ob. They use echolocation.
Oc. several million bats
Oc. They make high-pitched sounds.

3. Where do vampire bats live? 7. A bat’s body temperature, breathing

O a. Transylvania rate, and heartbeat
0 b. Central and O a. change frequently.
South America Ob. depend on its size.
O c. New Mexico Oc. are determined by its diet.

4. Bats benefit human beings by 8. Choose the word the author would
O a. flying only at night. use to describe bats.
Ob. drinking only a Oa. ugly
little blood. 0 b. vicious
Oc. eating insects. Oc. interesting

2°5 BATS INCREDIBLE! 71

 MAZE
The following passage, taken from the selection you
have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 193.

Bats are the only mammals that can a. plants b. mammals c. birds
d. things e. minerals
fly, and they make up the second largest
group of in the animal
a. day b. times c. odds
world. There are more than 900 species of
d. dawn e. night
bats. They only come out at
to feed. During the day they hang fede
a. caves b. rivers c. roads
down in sheltered places such as d. flowers e. birds

and trees. Most bats live in

Sanat that may have as many as several a. weight b. color c. shape
d. size e. smell
million members.
The of a bat can be from a
a. play b. save c. have
few inches to er feet in length. The
d. are e. read
largest bats a wingspread of
more than 5 feet, and a body the size of a
a. run b. walk c. fly
pigeon. Some bats can as fast d. chirp e. eat
as 15 miles an hour, but most nae only
about half that speed. a. people b. bats c. authors
d. birds e. bees
Even though some depend

on their vision and sense of eel to navigate

a. from b. far c. away
at night, most use a phenomenon called
d. back e. through
echolocation. The bats make a series of short,

high-pitched sounds as they fly. These sounds

are reflected to them from
8
prey or other objects as echoes. From the
echoes, the bats can figure out the direction
and distance of objects in the area.

72 2°¢5 BATS INCREDIBLE!

 VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 193.

. What would your reactions be to such a 5. Only rarely will it bite a human.
sight? Fear? Revulsion? Oa. not very often
O a. anger Ob. in anger
Ob. joy Oc. in fear
Oc. disgust
. They spend each winter in the
. You will soon see that this creature is same cave and each summer in the
indeed amazing and incredible. same roost.
0 a. not describable Oa. area
Ob. frightening Ob. resting place
0 c. hard to believe Elec. tree

. During the day they hang upside down in

. Many times, the males and females occupy
sheltered places such as caves and trees.
totally different roosts.
0 a. protected
O) a. return to
Ob. scattered
O b. live in
Oc. shaded
Oc. abandon

. Even though some bats depend on

their vision and sense of smell to 8. You can still appreciate some of its
navigate at night... . amazing qualities.
0 a. fly 0 a. deny
Ob. find direction Ob. obscure
Oc. communicate Oc. enjoy

2°5 BATS INCREDIBLE! 73

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 The Twenty-One Balloons
William Pene du Bois

‘any
\

AS NZ

Reading Time Maze

Comprehension Vocabulary

76 3°¢1 THE TWENTY-ONE BALLOONS

 This passage is from The Twenty-One
Balloons by William Pene du Bois. It tells
about the curious adventures of an American
professor marooned on a small, supposedly
uninhabited Pacific island. If you are
interested in reading more of this book,
ask for it at your school or public library.

A... having slept for what must have “But I always thought Krakatoa was
been four or five hours, I found myself being uninhabited,” I told the gentleman in the
gently awakened. I opened my eyes. My body white morning suit as I started painfully to
was bright red from sun and sandburn. I put on the clothes he was handing me. “I
looked up at what I thought was a man always heard that the volcanic mountain
kneeling over me, shaking my shoulder and made living on the Island impossible.”
saying in perfect English, “Wake up, man, “This is Krakatoa, all right,” he said. “And
you've got to get some things on and get out we who live here are most pleased that the
of the sun, wake up.” I thought that this must rest of the world is still convinced that
be part of some delirious dream. The idea Krakatoa is uninhabited. Hurry up, put on
of a man who spoke English on a small your clothes.”
volcanic island in the Pacific seemed so odd. I had put on the white pin-stripe trousers
I shut my eyes again. But as soon as I did and the shirt as the gentleman handed them
this, I felt my shoulder again being shaken to me. The shirt had starched cuffs, a small
and heard this same voice which kept saying, white starched dickey, and a detachable wing
“Wake up, you’ve got to get in the shade!” collar. I didn’t bother putting on the collar,
I shook my head and opened my eyes and started rolling up my sleeves. “Let’s go,
again. There was a man kneeling over me. lead on,” I said.
As I sat up he stood up. He was handing me “Come, come,” said the gentleman from
some clothes, and he was dressed in a most Krakatoa. “You can’t come and visit us like
unusual manner. This man wasn’t a native, that. Is that the way you would call on
and didn’t suggest an explorer or a traveler. respectable people in San Francisco, New
He looked like an overdressed aristocrat, lost York, London, or Paris? Roll down those
on this seemingly desolate volcanic island. sleeves. Put on this collar, vest, and coat.” As
He was wearing a correctly tailored white he was saying this he was smiling warmly to
morning suit—if you can imagine such a show that he meant no ill feeling but was
suit—with pin-stripe pants, white ascot tie, merely setting me straight on Krakatoa style
and a white cork bowler. The suit he was and manners. “I'll admit,” he continued, “that
urging me to put on was just the same as the on other islands in the Pacific it is considered
one he had on, only in my size. quite the thing to give up shaving, forego
“Am I dead?” I asked. “Is this Heaven?” haircuts, and wear whatever battered white
“No, my good man,” he answered. “This ducks and soft shirts are available. Here, we
isn’t Heaven. This is the Pacific Island of prefer a more elegant mode of life. You, sir,”
Krakatoa.” he said, “are our first visitor. I am quite
Only recently there had been news stories certain that you will be rather impressed with
telling that half of Krakatoa had blown up in the way we live and with the various aspects
the greatest volcanic eruption of all times. of our Island. I hope you will be impressed

3°1 THE TWENTY-ONE BALLOONS 7

 anyhow, for since we believe in keeping this small mirror so that I might more easily tie my
place absolutely secret, I believe you will be white ascot. As I donned my white bowler I
finding yourself spending the rest of your life was filled with many emotions. I thought that
as our guest.” this was without doubt the most extravagantly
While he was talking, I had obediently absurd situation in which I had ever found
rolled down my sleeves. He handed me a pair myself. I was also giving a large amount of
of cuff links made simply of four diamonds thought to that remark of his about being a
the size of lima beans. He handed me guest of the people of Krakatoa for life. It was
diamond studs with which to do up my shirt with deep, mixed feelings that I assured the
front. I attached my wing collar. He held a gentleman that I was already quite impressed.

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 194.

1. The man who woke up the narrator spoke 5. The island of Krakatoa is probably
0 a. Japanese. Oa. cool.
Ob. Spanish. O b. rainy.
Oc. English. Gc hot,

2. The man was concerned about the 6. When the narrator first woke up,
narrator’s he was
Oa. rudeness. 0 a. excited.
Ob. appetite. Ob. confused.
Oc. clothes. feC- SICK.

3. According to news stories, how much of 7. The people of Krakatoa are very
Krakatoa had been blown up? concerned about their
0 a. half of the island O a. appearance.
Ob. the entire island Ob. diet.
Oc. a few square miles of the island Oc. wildlife.

4. The cuff links were made of 8. The narrator is worried that he will
QO a. lima beans. Oa. not fit into his suit.
Ob. diamonds. 0 b. never be able to leave Krakatoa.
Oc. pearls. QO c. embarrass his guests.

3°1 THE TWENTY-ONE BALLOONS

 The following passage, taken from the selection you
have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 194.

I shook my head and opened my eyes 1. a. food b. water c. clothes

: : d. fruit e. soda
again. There was a man kneeling over me. As
I sat up he stood up. He was handing me some
; 2. a. mountain b. beach c. desert
, and he was dressed in a ;
a d. rock e. island
most unusual manner. This man wasn’t a

native, and didn’t suggest an explorer or a

3. a. hat b. suit c. shirt
traveler. He looked like an overdressed aristo- d. coat e. pants
crat, lost on this seemingly desolate volcanic
. He was wearing a correctly 4. a.alive b. awake c. crazy
7 d. dead e. hungry
tailored white morning suit—if you can imag-
ine such a suit—with pin-stripe pants, white
5. a.Heaven b. New York c. Hawaii
ascot tie, and a white cork bowler. The Basco. cane Zealand

he was urging me to put on

3
was just the same as the one he had on, only
6. a. heard b. knew c. thought
in my size. d. read e. reasoned

“Am I ?” T asked. “Is this

Heaven?”
“No, my good man,” he answered. “This

isn’t . This is the Pacific

Island of Riakatoa?
Only recently there had been news stories
telling that half of Krakatoa had blown up in
the greatest volcanic eruption of all times.
“But I always : Krakatoa
was uninhabited,” I told the gentleman in the
white morning suit as I started painfully to

o e 1 THE TWENTY-ONE BALLOONS 79

 put on the clothes he was handing me. “I 7.a. living b. breathing c. camping
d. walking e. dancing
always heard that the volcanic mountain
made on the Island
8.a. afraid b.concerned c. disappointed
impossible.” d. pleased e. unaware
“This is Krakatoa, all right,” he said. “And

we who live here are most :

that the rest of the world is still convinced

that Krakatoa is uninhabited.”

VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 194.

1. I thought that this must be part of some 4.... half of Krakatoa had blown up in the
delirious dream. greatest volcanic eruption of all times.
0 a. pleasant Oa. song
Ob. crazy 0 b. explosion
Oc. forgotten Oc. shout

2. He looked like an overdressed aristocrat, 5. “And we who live here are most pleased
lost on this seemingly desolate volcanic that the rest of the world is still convinced
island. that Krakatoa is uninhabited.”
0 a. popular 0 a. informal
Ob. crowded QO b. cold
Oc. deserted Oc. without people

\e>) . The suit he was urging me to put on was 6. “Is that the way you would call on
just the same as the one he had on, only in respectable people in San Francisco, New
my size. York, London, or Paris?”
0 a. allowing O a. proper
Ob. pushing Ob. lonely
Oc. removing Oc. elderly

80 3¢1 THE TWENTY-ONE BALLOONS

7. “. .. itis considered quite the thing to 8. “Here, we prefer a more elegant mode
give up shaving, forego haircuts, and of life.”
wear whatever battered white ducks and O a. movement
soft shirts are available.” Ob. way
0 a. give up Oc. result
0 b. overdo
Oc. change

3°1 THE TWENTY-ONE BALLOONS 81

 Planes in Space
Bill Siuru and John Busick

Reading Time Maze

Comprehension ee Vocabulary

82 32 PLANESIN SPACE
 This article describes what it could be like
to fly on an Aerospaceplane, a plane of
the future that may be able to fly at 8,000
miles per hour. If you are interested in
planes, ask your librarian to help you
find more books about them.

L.. imagine it is the 21st century and of 100,000 feet or more. In such an airplane
you are flying from San Francisco to Tokyo you'd see the blackness of space out the
on the Aerospaceplane. What a breath- window rather than blue sky.
taking trip! Even faster Aerospaceplanes could be used
You spend the first 15 minutes climbing to intercept enemy aircraft and missiles. They
25 miles to the fringes of space. Out the might even look like Luke Skywalker’s
window you can easily see the curvature of fighter in “Star Wars.”
the earth. You barely have time to finish your Another version of the Aerospaceplane fly-
in-flight meal when it’s time to descend. The ing at speeds of up to Mach 25 could replace
whole trip takes less than two hours because the Space Shuttle. It would be used to place
you have been flying at 8,000 miles per hour. satellites and astronauts in orbit. It may be
In the decades following the year 2000, used to carry into orbit all the pieces needed
such a trip may be possible. NASA, the Air to build a giant space station. Instead of being
Force, and the Navy are now developing shot from a launching pad, this type of Aero-
aircraft that can travel many times the speed spaceplane might take off and land at airports
of sound. At an altitude of 150,000 feet, the used today for large jets.
speed of sound is 800 m.p.h. But a major obstacle stands in the path of
We measure the speed of very fast aircraft the Aerospaceplane. At speeds greater than
in mach numbers. Since Mach 1 is the speed of Mach 3, the moving parts of ordinary jet
sound, an aircraft flying at Mach 10 would be engines would melt. Before travel at hyper-
zooming at 8,000 m.p.h. Any aircraft flying sonic speeds can be realized, new engines
faster than Mach 5 is called “hypersonic.” will have to be invented. One type of new
Even today’s fastest aircraft, like the engine, “Scramjet,” might be the answer.
Concorde supersonic airliner and the Air When ordinary jets fly at high speeds, air
Force’s SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance used by their engines must be slowed greatly
airplane, fly at Mach 3 or slower. before it can be mixed with fuel and burned
Any plane flying faster than Mach 1 will to produce power. But when the air is slowed
make a loud cracking sound that you hear down, it becomes hot enough to melt metals.
shortly after the aircraft passes overhead. In a Scramjet, the air is not slowed as much
This is called a sonic boom. The high-speed and the engine does not overheat.
aircraft planned for the future would fly so Because an Aerospaceplane might fly
high, however, that the sonic boom is less above the earth’s atmosphere, it would have
likely to bother people on the ground. to bring along its own oxygen for its engines.
More than one type of Aerospaceplane One way to do this might be to scoop up
is being planned. Scientists anticipate oxygen as the aircraft climbs through the
a passenger-carrying airliner that could atmosphere and convert it into a liquid for
travel at Mach 5 to Mach 10 at altitudes use in space.

3°2 PLANES IN SPACE 83

 Engines of futuristic planes most likely interested in the Aerospaceplane. France,
will be a part of the aircraft structure, not just England, and Japan are working on their
attached under the wings. The forward own ideas.
fuselage would be the inlet for incoming air. Before the actual Aerospaceplanes are
The aft would control the engine exhaust built, smaller experimental aircraft will be
providing thrust to fly. buzzing the sky, trying out new engines,
Someday an Aerospaceplane may be used aerodynamic shapes, and materials. You'll
to put satellites into orbit. Such an aircraft hear about these experimental aircraft in the
could weigh up to three times more than even news in the coming years. Don’t hold your
the largest jumbo jets. breath waiting for a ride on one, however.
The Aerospaceplane used for transporting There’s a lot of planning, research, and
people would be much lighter, being smaller testing that has to be done.
and carrying much less fuel. It probably For now it’s enough to dream about what
would be able to take off and land at large air travel might be like in the 21st century,
airports. and know that you’re young enough to see
The United States is not the only country those dreams come true.

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 194.

1. In an Aerospaceplane, a trip from 4. Ordinary jet engines won’t work at

San Francisco to Tokyo would hypersonic speeds because
take about Oa. they burn the wrong kind of fuel.
0 a. two hours. Ob. they would need to be shot from a
Ob. five hours. launching pad.
Oc. eight hours. O c. their engine parts would melt.

2. In order to be called hypersonic, a plane 5. An Aerospaceplane will

must fly faster than Mach Oa. look very different from today’s planes.
aan Ss Ob. closely resemble our present airplanes.
Bib: Oc. look more like a helicopter.
Cicu
6. Compared to today’s rockets, different
3. Any plane flying faster than Mach 1 kinds of Aerospaceplanes will be able to
makes a sound called a OC a. avoid using liquid oxygen.
O a. mach number. Ob. be shot from launching pads.
Ob. sonic boom. O c. work as both Space Shuttles and
Oc. Scramjet. passenger planes.

3°2 PLANES IN SPACE

7. The Aerospaceplane will need to bring 8. The authors of this article seem to be
oxygen on flights in order to O a. excited.
0 a. heat up its engines. Ob. bored.
Ob. cool its engines. Oc. confused.
Oc. relax its engines.

The following passage, taken from the selection you

have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 194.

Engines of futuristic planes most likely will 1. a. aircraft b. wing c. super

be a part of the structure, not dcengine e uuee
1
just attached under the wings. The forward
: 2 a. birds b. fuel c. air
fuselage would be the inlet for incoming ;
d. passengers e. pilots
. The aft would control the
2
engine exhaust providing thrust to fly. Salduplanes painncore ecu
Someday an Aerospaceplane may be used d. orbit e. aircraft
to put satellites into . Such an
er ee
aircraft could weigh up to three times more 4. a. passengers b. fuel c. engines
d. time e. attention
than even the largest jumbo jets.
The Aerospaceplane used for transporting
people would be much lighter, being smaller
and carrying much less sit
probably would be able to take offand land at
large airports.
The United States is not the only country
interested in the Aerospaceplane. France,
England, and Japan are working on their

own ideas.

3¢2 PLANES IN SPACE 85

 Before the actual Aerospaceplanes are 5. a.sold b. shown c. bought
d. found e. built
, smaller experimental aircraft

will be foo the sky, trying out new

6. a. crashing b. missing c. secret
engines, aerodynamic shapes, and materials.
d. experimental e. miniature
You'll hear about these :
aircraft in the news in the coming years.
7. a. realize b. talk c. question
Don’t hold your breath waiting for a ride on d. dream e. forget

one, however. There’s a lot of planning,

research, and testing that has to be done. 8. a. smart b. old c. young

d. tired e. silent
For now it’s enough to
about what air travel might be like in the 21st
century, and know that you’re
8
enough to see those dreams come true.

VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 194.

1. ... you are flying from San Francisco to 3. NASA, the Air Force, and the Navy are
Tokyo on the Aerospaceplane. What a now developing aircraft that can travel
breathtaking trip! many times the speed of sound.
O a. exciting Oa. buying
Ob. tiresome Ob. creating
Oc. handsome Oc. selling

2. You spend the first 15 minutes 4. Scientists anticipate a passenger-carrying

climbing 25 miles to the fringes airliner that could travel at Mach 5 to Mach
of space. 10 at altitudes of 100,000 feet or more.
0 a. edges O a. have
Ob. ends Ob. built
Oc. center Oc. foresee

86 3°2 PLANES IN SPACE

5. Even faster Aerospaceplanes could 7. One way to do this might be to scoop up
be used to intercept enemy aircraft oxygen as the aircraft climbs through the
and missiles. atmosphere and convert it into a
Oa. find liquid. . . .
Ob. stop Oa. add
Oc. delay Ob. stir
Oc. change

6. But a major obstacle stands in the . The Aerospaceplane used for transporting
path of the Aerospaceplane. people would be much lighter, being
0 a. problem smaller and carrying much less fuel.
Ob. saying 0 a. landing
Oc. theory Ob. speeding
Oc. carrying

3°2 PLANES IN SPACE 87

 A Summer to Die
Lois Lowry

Be AL
Reading Time Maze

Comprehension Vocabulary

88 3°3 ASUMMERTO
DIE
 The following passage is from A Summer
to Die by Lois Lowry. It describes the
problems of two sisters growing up
together. If you are interested in
reading more of this book, ask for
it at your school or public library.

[.was Molly who drew the line. When we lived in town we had our own
She did it with chalk—a fat piece of white rooms, Molly and I. It didn’t really make us
chalk left over from when we lived in town, better friends, but it gave us a chance to
had sidewalks, and used to play hopscotch, ignore each other more.
back when we both were younger. That piece Funny thing about sisters. Well, about us,
of chalk had been around for a long time. She anyway; Dad says it’s unacademic to general-
fished it out of a little clay dish that I had ize. Molly is prettier than I am, but I’m
made in last year’s pottery class, where it was smarter than Molly. I want with my whole
lying with a piece of string and a few paper being to be something someday; I like to think
clips and a battery that we weren’t quite sure that someday, when I’m grown up, people
was dead. everywhere will know who I am, because I
She took the chalk and drew a line right on will have accomplished something important
the rug. Good thing it wasn’t a fuzzy rug or it —TI don’t even know for sure yet what I want it
never would have worked; but it was an old, to be, just that it will be something that makes
worn, leftover rug from the dining room of people say my name, Meg Chalmers, with
our other house: very flat, and the chalk made respect. When I told Molly that once, she said
a perfect white line across the blue—and that what she wants is to be Molly Something
then, while I watched in amazement (because Else, to be Mrs. Somebody, and to have her
it was unlike Molly, to be so angry), she kept children, lots of them, call her “Mother,” with
right on drawing the line up the wall, across respect, and that’s all she cares about. She’s
the wallpaper with its blue flowers. She stood content, waiting for that; I’m restless, and so
on her desk and drew the line up to the impatient. She’s sure, absolutely sure, that what
ceiling, and then she went back to the other she’s waiting for will happen, just the way she
side of the room and stood on her bed and wants it to; and I’m so uncertain, so fearful my
drew the line right up to the ceiling on that dreams will end up forgotten somewhere,
wall, too. Very neatly. Good thing it was someday, like a piece of string and a paper clip
Molly who drew it; ifIhad tried, it would lying in a dish.
have been a mess, a wavy line and off center. Being both determined and unsure at the
But Molly is very neat. same time is what makes me the way I am,
Then she put the chalk back in the dish, sat I think: hasty, impetuous, sometimes angry
down on her bed, and picked up her book. over nothing, often miserable about every-
But before she started to read again, she thing. Being so well sorted out in her own
looked over at me (I was still standing there ~ goals, and so assured of everything happen-
amazed, not believing that she had drawn the ing the way she wants and expects it to, is
line at all) and said, “There. Now be as much what makes Molly the way she is: calm,
of a slob as you want, only keep your mess easygoing, self-confident, downright smug.
on your side. This side is mine.” Sometimes it seems as if, when our parents

3°3 ASUMMER TO DIE 89

 created us, it took them two tries, two room with someone is that it’s hard to keep
daughters, to get all the qualities of one anything hidden. I don’t mean the unmatched,
whole, well-put-together person. More often, dirty socks or the fourteen crumpled papers
though, when I think about it, I feel as if they with tries at an unsuccessful poem on them,
got those qualities on their first try, and I although those are the things that upset Molly,
represent the leftovers. That’s not a good way that made her draw the line. I mean the parts
to feel about yourself, especially when you of yourself that are private: the tears you want
know, down in the part of you where the to shed sometimes for no reason, the thoughts
ambition is, where the dreams are, where the you want to think in a solitary place, the
logic lies, that it’s not true. words you want to say aloud to hear how they
The hardest part about living in the same sound, but only to yourself.

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 194.

1. Molly drew the line with 5. The line was drawn so that
0 a. chalk. Oa. Molly could be messy in her space.
Ob. paint. Ob. the narrator would have a
Oc. crayon. clean space.
Oc. Molly would have a clean space.
2. When the sisters lived in town they
O a. shared a room. 6. For the narrator, the hardest part of
Ob. had separate bedrooms. sharing a room is that she has no
O c. were better friends. Oa. clean socks.
Ob. space for her belongings.
Oo . The narrator’s name is Oc. privacy.
Oa. Mary.
Ob. Molly. 7. Molly and the narrator are
Oc. Meg. 0 a. very different.
Cb. alike in many ways.
4. When Molly grows up she wants O c. very fond of each other.
to be a
Ca. person who has done something 8. The narrator spends a lot of time
important. O a. cleaning.
Ob. wife and mother. O b. painting.
Oc. calm, self-confident businesswoman. O c. thinking.

3°3 ASUMMER TO DIE

 The following passage, taken from the selection you
have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 194.

She did it with chalk—a fat piece of white 1. a.apart b.together c. older
chalk left over from when we lived in town, Sp/O Na! Soe

had sidewalks, and used to play hopscotch,

2. a.gym b. pottery c. Spanish
back when we both were .
1 d. math e€. science
That piece of chalk had been around for a
long time. She fished it out of a little clay
Si a. dead b. over c. ripe
dish that I had made in last year’s d. ours e. there
class, where it was lying with
2
a piece of string and a few paper clips and a 4. a. book b. bed c. rug
or d. color e. chalk
battery that we weren’t quite sure was

She took the chalk and drew a line right on

3
5. a.frilly bnew . fluffy
d. fuzzy e. flat
the rug. Good thing it wasn’t a fuzzy

a peues comunity 6. a. slicing b. erasing c. filling

worked; but it was an old, worn, leftover rug d. pulling e. drawing

from the dining room of our other house:

very , and the chalk made a 7. a. laid b. rested c. sighed
: d.stood _ e. cried
perfect white line across the blue—and then,
while I watched in amazement (because it
was unlike Molly, to be so angry), she kept
right on the line up the wall,
across the ete with its blue flowers.
She stood on her desk and drew the line up to
the ceiling, and then she went back to the
other side of the room and oe
on her bed and drew the line right up to the

3°¢3 ASUMMER TO DIE 91

 ceiling on that wall, too. Very neatly. Good 8. a. mother b. Molly c. me
Sy: Pin :
thing it was who drew it; if I Seite on
aS aa
had tried, it would have been a mess, a wavy

line and off center. But Molly is very neat.

VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 194.

1. It didn’t really make us better friends, 5. Being both determined and unsure at the
but it gave us the chance to ignore same time is what makes me the way I
each other more. am, I think: hasty, impetuous, sometimes
0 a. love angry over nothing.
Ob. forget 0 a. cruel
[ace SCe Ob. careful
Oc. thoughtless

2. She’s content, waiting for that; I’m 6. Being so well sorted out in her goals, and
restless, and so impatient. so assured of everything happening the
O a. happy way she wants and expects it to, is what
j
Ob. full makes Molly the way she is.
OO c. impatient Bre ee
Ob. afraid
Oc. tired

3. ms; ae cage a that 7. I mean the parts of yourself that are

ee ee private: the tears you want to shed
happen. ... sometimes for no reason. ...
Oa. never ne
ae .
Oa. hide
COU DIICY. O b. spill
Oc. sometimes oO
c. stop

8.... the thoughts you want to think in a

4.... the way she is: calm, solitary place, the words you want to say
easygoing, self-confident, aloud to hear how they sound, but only to
downright smug. yourself.
0 a. self-satisifed O a. crowded
Ob. weak Ob. lonely
Oc. tearful Oc. foreign

92 3°¢3 ASUMMER TO DIE

 You Kids Are All Alike

Reading Time
ih Per
Comprehension nope Vere. whlVocabulary

3¢4 YOU KIDS ARE ALL ALIKE 93

 This article forces us to stop and think
about stereotypes. It shows us that we
should not put people into categories. The
next time you meet a new person, think
about this article before you make a
quick judgment about him or her.

So. you have to buy a present for Born in Vermont, Abigail still enjoys
each of the following people: skiing. She would put those new skis to good
use; she has no need of a rocking chair just yet.
Harry Skinner, a cabdriver;
Did the labels on these people mislead you
Freddy Faster, a seventh-grade A student,
into making the usual choices? Then you
Abigail Watson, a senior citizen.
read too much into them. To know what a
Which of the following gifts would you person is really like you need a great deal of
choose for each: information, more than you will find on a
label. With nothing but a word or two to go
a desk dictionary,
by, your mind produced a “stereotyped”
a rocking chair,
picture of the person rather than a real one.
two tickets to the opera,
In printing, a stereotype is a metal plate that
a pair of skis,
reproduces the same picture over and over.
a leather jacket,
The word stereotype is also used to mean a
a theatrical makeup kit?
mental picture in which all people of a
Did you choose: particular group look and act alike. When we
think in stereotypes we cannot judge people
the leather jacket for Harry, because it’s the
fairly. Why? Because stereotypes ignore the
kind of clothing a cabdriver wears?
fact that no two human beings are identical.
the desk dictionary for Freddy, because he Take the cabdriver, for example. Did you
can always use a dictionary to help him picture him as a middle-aged, rugged,
with his studies? boisterous, gabby family man? That is one
stereotype of a “cabbie”—the one you usually
the rocker for Abigail, because she
meet on TV or in the movies. But real
probably doesn’t get around too much
cabdrivers can be young or old, sensitive,
anymore?
educated, soft-spoken, shy, unmarried, and
No doubt these are the usual choices. But either male or female. Yet, when we think in
the people on our list happen to be unusual. stereotypes, we tend to ignore the differences
Harry is a voice student who drives a cab among people.
in his spare time. He has nothing against Some adults have a way of stereotyping
leather jackets, but he would prefer the opera young people. Perhaps you have heard their
tickets. He hopes to become an opera singer argument. It goes something like this:
someday. “You kids are all alike. You show no
Freddy is working on a clown routine for respect for your elders, you have poor
the school talent show right now. A theatrical manners, and your speech is as sloppy as
makeup kit would help his act a lot more your dress. You don’t realize how good you
than a dictionary would. have it. Now in my day—”

3°4 YOU KIDS ARE ALL ALIKE

 The harm is that the person who believes in the same way. They also suggest that only
in this stereotype may act on his belief. In these people behave that way. Neither is true.
the case just mentioned, you—as a young When people begin to stereotype others on
person—would be the victim. Maybe you the basis of race, religion, or nationality, the
have already had this type of experience. result is prejudice. It is important to remem-
Have you ever met a merchant who doesn’t ber that no one group in our society has a
trust kids in his store? a bus driver who hates monopoly on brawls, laziness, ignorance,
all the kids who go to that school on the hill? foreign accents, drinking, crime, greed, or
a librarian who is suspicious of a boy with pushiness. Nor does any one group have
long hair? a monopoly on beauty, brains, glamour,
Stereotypes are often used by mass strength, humor, or talent. Every group has
media—by TV, advertising, movies, its share of all these human qualities.
newspaper, and magazines. Sometimes these To be sure, a certain amount of stereo-
stereotypes are amusing and entertaining. typing is bound to occur. We all do it, usually
The henpecked husband, the absentminded without thinking about it. But it’s a good idea
professor, the bearded hippie all make us to remember that no two people in the world
laugh because they are such exaggerations of are identical. Thus no label can be pasted
the real thing. on an individual or group that accurately
Stereotypes distort the truth by suggesting describes that person or group. After all,
that all people in a particular group behave labels belong on products, not on people.

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 194.

1. Why does the author ask you to choose a 3. Which person does the writer say would
present for the three people? enjoy the skis most?
O a. to make you miss his point Oa. the cabdriver
Ob. to make you embarrassed Ob. the seventh-grade student
O c. to illustrate his point Oc. the senior citizen

2. In this article who hopes to become an

opera singer? 4. The term “stereotype” comes from
DO a. the cabdriver O a. music.
O b. the seventh-grade student Ob. printing.
Oc. the senior citizen Oc. television.

3°4 YOU KIDS ARE ALL ALIKE 95

 5. Stereotypes distort the truth because they 7. Stereotypes don’t work because they are
suggest that O a. too complicated.
Oa. everyone is the same. Ob. not accurate.
O b. everyone acts differently. Oc. too boring.
O c. groups of people all act alike.
8. The author wrote this story to
6. The author says “labels belong on O a. make readers laugh at
products, not on people.” This means that certain groups.
O a. all labels are misleading. Ob. make readers think about
Ob. products without labels are dangerous. stereotyping.
Oc. labels on people are misleading. Oc. show that some stereotypes are true.

The following passage, taken from the selection you

have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 194.

Harry is a voice student who drives a cab 1. a. hats b. thongs c. shoes

in his spare time. He has nothing against wae eG
leather , but he would prefer
the opera eCkens He hopes to become an a: heey ee 2 enyeatts prop
opera someday.
2
F . .
reddy is working on a clown routine
o
for 3. Pe Nia b. help c. close
the school talent show right now. A theatrical d. open e. fill
makeup kit would his act a
3
lot more than a dictionary would. 4. a. different b. all c. good
Born in Vermont, Abigail still enjoys d. no e. any

skiing. She would put those new skis to

5S. a.labels b.hats ___c. clothes
use; she has no need of a :
aaa ine d. faces e. times
rocking chair just yet.
Did the on these people
5
mislead you into making the usual choices?
Then you read too much into them. To know

96 3°4 YOUKIDSARE ALL ALIKE

what a is really like you need 6. a. person b. product c. dog
d. house e. present
a great deal of arene more than you
will find on a label. With nothing but a word
q. a. through b. for c. by
or two to go , your mind
d. into e. after
produced a eeeoried’ picture of the
person rather than a real one.
8. a. finds b. searches c. walks
In printing, a stereotype is a metal plate d. reproduces e. plans
that : the same picture over
and over.

VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 194.

1. Did the labels on these people mislead you 4. “You don’t realize how good you
into making the usual choices? have it.”
DO a. fool O a. show
O b. help Ob. understand
O c. force Oc. earn

2. The word stereotype is also used to mean ay Have you ever met a merchant who
a mental picture in which all people of a doesn’t trust kids in his store?
particular group look and act alike. 0 a. librarian
O a. certain O b. police officer
0 b. random Oc. shop owner
Oc. limited
. The henpecked husband, the absentminded
3. Did you picture him as a middle- professor, the bearded hippie all make us
aged, rugged, boisterous, gabby laugh because they are such exaggerations
family man? of the real thing.
D a. soft OD a. opposites
Ob. silent 0 b. overstatements
Oc. rowdy Oc. descriptions

3°4 YOU KIDS ARE ALL ALIKE 97

 7. Stereotypes distort the truth by suggesting 8. But it’s a good idea to remember
that all people in a particular group behave that no two people in the world are
the same way. identical.
0 a. reveal 0 a. alike
Ob. twist Ob. agreeable
O c. explain O c. particular

98 3°4 YOUKIDSARE ALL ALIKE

 3°5

The Phantom Tollbooth

Norton Juster

‘Ze = oem —
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4

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of
en

/, ;

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Wie
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WU Yo
eee
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OO
Wi 1 a

“LZ

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Reading Time “oa Maze

Comprehension Fear! Vocabulary

3°5 THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH

 The Phantom Tollbooth is the story of a
bored boy who suddenly finds himself in
the middle of a very strange country
where things work quite differently from
his own. If you are interested in reading
more of this book, ask for it at your
school or public library.

M.. said, quite indignantly, “Everybody “From 1 to 2 we linger and loiter.

thinks.” “From 2 to 2:30 we take our early
“We don’t,” shouted the Lethargarians all afternoon nap.
at once. “From 2:30 to 3:30 we put off for
“And most of the time you don’t,” said a tomorrow what we could have done today.
yellow one sitting in a daffodil. “That’s why “From 3:30 to 4 we take our early late
you're here. You weren’t thinking, and you afternoon nap.
weren't paying attention either. People who “From 4 to 5 we loaf and lounge until
don’t pay attention often get stuck in the dinner.
Doldrums.” And with that he toppled out of “From 7 to 8 we take our early evening
the flower and fell snoring into the grass. nap, and then for an hour before we go to bed
Milo couldn’t help laughing at the little at 9 o’clock we waste time.
creature’s strange behavior. “‘As you can see, that leaves almost no
“Stop that at once,” ordered the plaid one time for brooding, lagging, plodding, or
clinging to his stocking. “Laughing is against procrastinating, and if we stopped to think or
the law. Don’t you have a rule book? It’s local laugh, we’d never get nothing done.”
ordinance 574381-W.” “You mean you'd never get anything
Milo found Ordinance 574381-W: “In the done,” corrected Milo.
Doldrums, laughter is frowned upon and smi- “We don’t want to get anything done,”
ling is permitted only on alternate Thursdays. snapped another angrily; “we want to get
Violators shall be dealt with most harshly.” nothing done.”
“Well, if you can’t laugh or think what can “You see,” continued another in a more
you do?” asked Milo. conciliatory tone, “it’s really quite strenuous
“Anything as long as it’s nothing, and doing nothing all day, so once a week we
everything as long as it isn’t anything,” take a holiday and go nowhere, which was
explained another. “There’s lots to do; we just where we were going when you came
have a very busy schedule— along. Would you care to join us?”
“At 8 o’clock we get up, and then we “T might as well,” thought Milo; “that’s
spend where I seem to be going anyway.”
“From 8 to 9 daydreaming. “Tell me,” he yawned, for he felt ready for
“From 9 to 9:30 we take our early a nap now himself, “does everyone here do
midmorning nap. nothing?”
“From 9:30 to 10:30 we dawdle and delay. “Everyone but the terrible watchdog,” said
“From 10:30 to 11:30 we take our late two of them, shuddering in chorus. “He’s
early morning nap. always sniffing around to see that nobody
“From 11 to 12 we bide our time and then wastes time. A most unpleasant character.”
eat lunch. “The watchdog?” said Milo quizzically.

100 3°¢5 THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH

 “THE WATCHDOG,” shouted another, “KILLING TIME!” roared the dog—so
fainting from fright, for racing down the road furiously that his alarm went off. “It’s bad
barking furiously and kicking up a great enough wasting time without killing it.” And
cloud of dust was the very dog of whom they he shuddered at the thought. “Why are you in
had been speaking. the Doldrums anyway—don’t you have
“RUN!” anywhere to go?”
“WAKE UP!” “I was on my way to Dictionopolis when I
“RUN!” got stuck here,” explained Milo. “Can you
“HERE HE COMES!” help me?”
“THE WATCHDOG!” “Help you! You must help yourself,” the
Great shouts filled the air as the dog replied, carefully winding himself with
Lethargarians scattered in all directions and his left hind leg. “I suppose you know why
soon disappeared entirely. you got stuck.”
“R-R-R-G-H-R-O-R-R-H-F-F,” exclaimed “T guess I just wasn’t thinking,” said Milo.
the watchdog as he dashed up to the car, “PRECISELY,” shouted the dog as his
loudly puffing and panting. alarm went off again. “Now you know what
Milo’s eyes opened wide, for there in front you must do.”
of him was a large dog with a perfectly “Tm afraid I don’t,” admitted Milo, feeling
normal head, four feet, and a tail—and the quite stupid.
body of a loudly ticking alarm clock. “Well,” continued the watchdog
“What are you doing here?” growled the impatiently, “since you got here by not
watchdog. thinking, it seems reasonable to expect that,
“Just killing time,” replied Milo in order to get out, you must start thinking.”
apologetically. “You see—” And with that he hopped into the car.

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 194.

1. Where does Milo find himself? 3. The Lethargarians tell Milo to stop
0 a. Dictionopolis laughing because it’s
0 b. the Doldrums O a. not polite.
0 c. Detroit Ob. embarrassing.
Oc. against the law.
2. What do the Lethargarians
do all day? 4. Milo arrived in the Doldrums because he was
0 a. nothing O a. thinking too hard.
O b. think O b. trying to get there.
Oc. play Oc. not thinking.

3°5 THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH

 5. Milo’s attitude toward the Lethargarians 7. The watchdog has a clock for a body
can best be described as because he
0 a. friendly. 0 a. keeps running down.
O b. envious. Ob. represents order.
O c. hateful. Oc. needs it to stay awake.

8. What will happen if Milo doesn’t start

6. The Lethargarians can best be thinking?
described as O a. The watchdog will bite him.
0 a. lazy. Ob. He won’t get out of the Doldrums.
Ob. angry. Oc. The Lethargarians will kick him out
Oc. peaceful. of the Doldrums.

The following passage, taken from the selection you

have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 194.

“We don’t,” shouted the Lethargarians all le a.are ’ b.do c. will

d. isn’t e. don’t
at once.
“And most of the time you ; ”

2 atime b. attention c. dues

said a yellow one sitting in a daffodil. “That’s
d. bills e. wages
why you're here. You weren’t thinking, and
you weren’t paying either.
3. accat b. house c. flower
People who don’t pay attention often get stuck d. chair e. seat

in the Doldrums.” And with that he toppled

out of the and fell snoring into 4. a. behavior b. hat c. dog

d. creature e€. suit
the grass.

Milo couldn’t help laughing at the little

5. a. Singing b.Jumping — c. Shouting
creature’s strange
d. Crying _e. Laughing
“Stop that at once,” niaeied the plaid one

clinging to his stocking. “ is

102 3°¢5 THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH

against the law. Don’t you have a rule book? 6. a. Colonies b. States c. Islands
d. Doldrums e. Forest
It’s local ordinance 574381-W.”
Milo found Ordinance 574381-W: “In the
7. a. safely b. surely c. simply
, laughter is frowned upon
d. harshly e. quietly
and smiling is permitted only on alternate
Thursdays. Violators shall be dealt with most
8. a. well b. long c. if
; d. also e. though
“Well, if you can’t laugh or think what can
you do?” asked Milo.
“Anything as long as it’s nothing, and
everything as as it isn’t
anything,” explained another. “There’s lots to
do; we have a very busy schedule.”

VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 194.

1. And with that he toppled out of the flower 3. “As you can see, that leaves almost no
and fell snoring in the grass. time for brooding, plodding, or
0 a. tumbled procrastinating... .”
0 b. jumped 0 a. speeding
Oc. flew Ob. delaying
O c. chatting
2. “In the Doldrums, laughter is frowned
upon and smiling is permitted only on 4. “It’s really quite strenuous doing nothing
alternate Thursdays.” alliday: ic
O a. forbidden 0 a. easy
Ob. encouraged Ob. fun
0 c. allowed O c. hard

3°5 THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH 103

 5. “Everyone but the terrible watchdog,” said 7. “PRECISELY,” shouted the dog as his
two of them, shuddering in chorus. alarm went off again.
0 a. together O a. exactly
0 b. separately 0 b. preposterous
Oc. one after the other Oc. ridiculous

6. “KILLING TIME!” roared the dog—so 8. “Well,” continued the watchdog impatiently,
furiously that his alarm went off. “since you got here by not thinking. . . .”
0 a. happily 0 a. slowly and calmly
Ob. angrily Ob. quickly and crossly
Oc. swiftly Oc. with patience

104 3¢°5 THEPHANTOM TOLLBOOTH

 4-1

How to be Somebody |
Shirley Dever

Reading Time Maze

Comprehension food eS Vocabulary

106 4+*1 HOWTO BE SOMEBODY

 Sometimes it is too easy to think that we can leave
everything in someone else’s hands. Each of us
needs to break free of those mysterious “theys”
and really be “somebody” on our own. The next
time you are faced either with your own problem
or with a friend’s problem, make the decision
to be responsible for being “somebody.”

Tk...brothers had a fun evening together. responsibility. And this simply means the
One of them put a couple of pieces of alder ability to respond. Each of us is responsible
on the fire in the wood stove before they for his own actions. We are also responsible
went to bed. A couple of hours later, the fire for those times we do nothing in the face
was out of control. In their groggy state the of needs.
brothers didn’t know what to do. One Not to decide is to count on Somebody
panicked and jumped out a second-story Else’s taking over the responsibility you were
window. Another, with amazing calmness, to assume. It is to turn your back on the fact
found his way to a door and got out OK. that life itself requires daily decisions. Life is
Later, the firefighters discovered the third a decision-making process. Not to decide
boy by a bedroom window. He had died of is a cop-out.
smoke inhalation. Dropouts in the 1980s are astounded to
“Didn’t anyone try to get him out?” learn that wars were actually fought, for the
And the same answer was given, again and most part, by young men still in their teens!
again. “We thought somebody else went in Louis XIV of France did not think it surpris-
to help him!” ing to have fourteen-year-old lieutenants in
An unknown author wrote a clever and his armies. The oldest soldier in one of his
brief story about this sort of thinking: corps was under the age of eighteen. Joan
“This is the story about four people named of Arc, or the Maid of Orleans, led the
Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. French to a momentous victory at Orleans
There was an important job to be done, and when she was seventeen and became a
Everybody was sure that Somebody would do martyr at age nineteen.
it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody Over and over again young people who
did it. Somebody got angry about that, refuse to cop out are consumed by purposes
because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody bigger than themselves. Then their inner cry
thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody becomes, “What can I do?” not, “What will
realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It Somebody Else do for me?”
ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody John F. Kennedy made a statement, “Ask
when Nobody did what Anybody could not what your country can do for you—ask
have done.” what you can do for your country.” This is
Do you rely upon a mysterious “they” you the philosophy that breaks the Somebody
refer to as Somebody Else? It’s amazing how Else dependency. Ask, “What can I do for
most of us rely on this unidentifiable person that person who can use my help?”
on a regular basis. We say, “I’m sorry I left Once I responded to the plea of a
the house open, but I figured Somebody Else paraplegic girl who had a deep desire to go
would lock up.” Nobody else did. to Hawaii. When I made sixty phone calls in
What is at stake is owning up to her behalf, thirty-eight people responded with

4¢1 HOWTO BE SOMEBODY 107

 various amounts of money. Within a week I to gain more control and to feel better
was staring in amazement at checks totaling about yourself.
one thousand dollars. It was a miracle! What Instead of saying, “I need Somebody
I didn’t know at the time I helped this young Else to get me started,” motivate yourself
girl was that she would die one year after her by saying, “I have a self-starter; Pll use it!”
dream trip! Or rather than saying, “Somebody Else has
Many Somebody Elses helped me, to so much going for him/her,” say to yourself,
be sure. But someone had to make those “T have special gifts, too, and I’m going to
calls and take care of the details. After that use them.”
experience, it has been easier to rely on You are Somebody. You have certain
myself rather than those mysterious “theys” talents and gifts. You can do certain things
who are all around me. that not just Anybody can do. Nobody can
Most of you wish to be in control of put you down or discourage you unless you
your life more than you are. Releasing your let him/her. So is Somebody Else really so
dependence on other people is a great way important after all?

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 195.

— . The third brother caught in the fire 4. The author raised money to send the
0 a. was burned to death. paraplegic girl to Hawaii by
Ob. died of smoke inhalation. O a. hiring somebody to get the money.
Oc. died when he jumped out of the O b. going on television.
second-story window. Oc. making sixty phone calls by herself.

2. According to the brief story, who did the 5. The best time to take responsibility for our
important job? actions 1s
0 a. Nobody QO) a. soon.
Ob. Everybody Ob. now.
Oc. Somebody Oc. never.

3. Who said, “Ask not what your country can 6. The author thinks people should each take
do for you—ask what you can do for your responsibility because
country”? Oa. no one else will.
O a. John F. Kennedy Ob. she doesn’t want to do it.
O b. Ronald Reagan Oc. people will regain control over their
O c. George Kennedy own lives.

108 4¢1 HOW TO BE SOMEBODY

7. The author says “it has been easier to rely 8. The author is trying to
on myself rather than those mysterious D a. inspire us.
‘theys’ who are all around me.” Why? Ob. entertain us.
OC a. She can be sure she knows somebody Oc. depress us.
to do it.
0b. She can be sure she will do what
needs to be done.
Oc. She can’t be sure she can do what
needs to be done.

The following passage, taken from the selection you

have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 195.

Do you rely upon a mysterious “they” you ie a. walk b. sit c. look

d. rely e. hit
refer to as Somebody Else? It’s amazing how
most of us on this
2. a. Anybody b. Nobody c. Somebody
unidentifiable ae on a regular basis. We
d. Something e. Nothing
say, “I’m sorry I left the house open, but I
figured Somebody Else would lock up.”
3. a. respond b. deny c. question
else did. d. sleep e. perspire

What is at stake is owning up to

responsibility. And this simply means the 4, a. are b. have c. eat
d. share e. do
ability to . Each of us is
responsible for his own actions. We are also
D: a. they b. he c. you
responsible for those times we d. she e. we
nothing in the face of needs.
Not fsdecide is to count on Somebody
Else’s taking over the responsibility
were to assume. It is to turn

4*1 HOWTO BE SOMEBODY 109

 your back on the fact that life itself requires 6. a. Because b. Therefore c. Always
é ee or. Re ; d. Not e. No one
daily decisions. Life is a decision-making
process. to decide is
, if a. young b. aged c. frail
SLOP; OUS d. gray-haired =e. no
Dropouts in the 1980s are astounded to
learn that wars were actually fought, for the Sees pera c. joke
most part, by men still in d. battle e. soldier

their teens! Louis xIVof France did not think

it surprising to have fourteen-year-old

lieutenants in his armies. The oldest
in one of his corps was
8
under the age of eighteen.

VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 195.

1. In their groggy state the brothers didn’t 3. What is at stake is owning up to

know what to do. responsibility.
Oa. happy O a. buying
O b. filthy Ob. admitting
Oc. sleepy Oc. denying

4. Dropouts in the 1980s are astounded

to learn that wars were actually fought,
2. Do you rely upon a mysterious “they” for the most part, by young men still in
you refer to as Somebody Else? their teens.
0 a. magic Oa. shocked
Ob. unknown Ob. pleased
Oc. absent Oc. interested

110 4*1 HOWTO BE SOMEBODY

5. Joan of Arc, or the Maid of Orleans, led 7. Releasing your dependence on other
the French to a momentous victory at people is a great way to gain more control
Orleans. and to feel better about yourself.
0 a. brief Oa. anger
0 b. loud Ob. frustration
Oc. great Oc. reliance

6. Over and over again young people who . Instead of saying, “I need Somebody Else
refuse to cop out are consumed by to get me started,” motivate yourself by
purposes bigger than themselves. saying, “I have a self-starter.”
0 a. deeply involved 0 a. deceive
Ob. quickly forgotten Ob. encourage
Oc. easily bored Oc. threaten

4°1 HOWTO BE SOMEBODY 111

 4:2

The Cat Ate My Gymsuit

Paula Danziger

Reading Time
| ee
Comprehension | aq: Vocabulary

112 4¢2 THECAT ATE MY GYMSUIT

 The Cat Ate My Gymsuit is by Paula
Danziger. It tells the story of the problems
an overweight girl has in school and with
her family. If you are interested in
reading more of this book, ask for it
at your school or public library.

S..... went on as usual. I kept getting I'm crying. It usually ended with me running
good grades in everything but gym. My upstairs, slamming my door, throwing myself
anonymous letters to the Student Council on my bed, and rocking back and forth. My
suggestion box were ignored. Lunches mother would come in and hug me and tell
continued to be lousy. We were only up to the me everything would be O.K., but that I
Civil War in history class. really should lose some weight and look like
It was different in some ways, though. I everyone else.
didn’t sit alone at lunch anymore. I sat with I hated it. That’s what usually went on in my
some of the kids from Smedley. Ms. Finney’s house but, as I said, things got much worse.
classes were still great, but the rest of the In a way, it was because of Smedley. We
classes seemed even more boring than they did lots of neat stuff in there, and I wanted to
were before she came. We kept asking the try some of it at home.
teachers to be more like her, but they made One day in Smedley we broke up into
faces and told us to keep quiet. We talked out groups and told each other how we saw each
in classes more and asked more questions, other and felt about each other. I was really
but they didn’t like that. We even asked some excited. Nobody said that they hated me.
of them to join Smedley, but they said things They said I was smart and nice, but too quiet
like “What are you doing? Getting your and shy. No one made fun of me. They didn’t
heads shrunk?” and “My contract doesn’t say say I was skinny and beautiful, but they didn’t
I have to stay after school past last period.” tell me I was ugly and fat either. So I thought
What changed a lot was my home. It got that maybe it would be good to try it at home.
even worse. My father has a horrible temper. My mother was all for it. I had told her
He doesn’t hit, but he yells. Even worse, he about what we were doing in Smedley, and
says awful things to me, like “I don’t care she really dug it, because she said it was
if you get good grades. You do stupid making me different. I didn’t tell her how
things. Why do I have to have a daughter scared I still was, though. I wanted her to be
who is stupid and so fat? I'll never get you proud of me.
married off.” So one night at dinner, she explained that
My mother would try to tell him to stop, she wanted us all to sit around and talk like a
but he wouldn’t listen. They’d get into a fight family.
and she’d start to cry and then go get a My father said, “I’ve worked hard all day
tranquilizer. for this family, Lily. Isn’t that enough? I don’t
Then my little brother, Stuart, would cry have to talk to all of you too, do I?”
and run for his teddy bear. While all this was Mom very quietly said, “Martin, I think
happening, my father would scream at me. it’s important. Please.”
“Look at what you’ve done. We’d never fight So he said, “O.K. . . . for a little while.”
if it weren’t for you. Apologize.” By that time, Mom and I cleared off the dishes, and then

4°2 THECAT ATE MY GYMSUIT 113

 we went into the living room, where my stay here. He’s part of the family too. And
father was watching television. Stuart was anyway, I want to talk to him about his stupid
sitting on the floor, stuffing pits into the hole thumbsucking and that idiot teddy bear.”
in Wolf, his teddy bear. Stuart watches a lot Stuart held Wolf in his arms and started to
of commercials, and he once saw that suck his thumb. “I love Wolf. He’s my friend.
oranges are supposed to keep you healthy. He He never yells at me.”
used to try to put whole oranges in Wolf, but “Look, kid. You’re four years old. What
things got pretty sticky, so we convinced him are you going to be? Forty, hugging that bear
that pits are best for bears. and sucking your thumb? You'll never get a
My father frowned and said, “Let the kid job that way.”

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 195.

1. In school the narrator does well 5. Smedley is

O a. in everything but gym. DO a. an after-school group.
Ob. only in gym. Ob. a nearby town.
Oc. in nothing. Oc. a rival high school.

2. Ms. Finney’s classes were 6. The narrator’s father

O a. ordinary. O a. often loses his temper.
O b. terrible. Ob. is proud of his daughter.
Oc. great. Oc. enjoys spending time with his family.

3. One evening the narrator’s mother 7. The people in Smedley make the
wanted the family to narrator feel
O a. sit and talk like a family. O a. frustrated.
O b. discuss the narrator’s Ob. worse.
weight problem. Oc. better.
Oc. go to the movies together.
8. Choose the word that best describes the
4. Wolf is narrator’s home life.
0 a. a boy at school. 0 a. busy
Ob. Stuart’s nickname. O b. unhappy
Oc. Stuart’s teddy bear. QO c. contented

114 4¢2 THE CAT ATE MY GYMSUIT

 MAZE
The following passage, taken from the selection you
have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 195.

It was different in some ways, though. I ii, a. stood b. fell c. walked

d. cried e. sat
didn’t sit alone at lunch anymore. I
with some of the kids from
a. students b. tests c. studies
Sinedles, Ms. Finney’s classes were still great,
d. books e. classes
but the rest of the seemed

even more boring than theywere before she

a. nobody b. everybody c. he
came. We kept asking the teachers to be more d. they e. we
like her, but made faces and

told us to keep quiet. We talked out in classes a. join b. shoot c. pull

d. grab e. toss
more and asked more questions, but they didn’t
like that. We even asked some of them to
a. Who b. When c. What
Smedley, but they said things
d. Where e. Why
like “What are you doing? Getting your heads
shrunk?” and “My contract doesn’t say I have
a. slugs b. yells c. kicks
to stay after school past last period.” d. shoots e. ducks

changed a lot was my

home. It ee even worse. My father has a a. you b. I c. they
d. Smedley e. schools
horrible temper. He doesn’t hit, but he
. Even worse, he says
a. continue b. hurry c. try
awful oe to me, like “I don’t care
d. stop e. help
if you get good grades. You do stupid things.
Why do 5 have to have a
daughter who is stupid and so fat? I'll never

get you married off.”

My mother would try to tell him to
, but he wouldn’t listen.

4¢2 THE CAT ATE MY GYMSUIT 115

 VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 195.

. My anonymous letters to the Student 5. Mom and I cleared off the dishes, and then
Council suggestion box were ignored. we went into the living room. . .
D a. silly O a. threw
Ob. unlikely Ob. took
Oc. unsigned Oc. placed

. Stuart watches a lot of commercials, and

. Lunches continued to be lousy. he once saw that oranges are supposed to
Oa. sudden keep you healthy.
Ob. terrible 0 a. believed
Oc. short Ob. unable
Oc. prepared

. “My contract doesn’t say I have to . He used to try to put whole oranges in
stay after school past last period.” Wolf, but things got pretty sticky, so we
0 a. illness convinced him that pits are best for bears.
Ob. owner 0 a. dissolved into
Oc. agreement Ob. made him believe
Oc. acted out a story

. “Look what you’ve done. We’d . “And anyway, I want to talk to him about
never fight if it weren’t for you. his stupid thumbsucking and that idiot
Apologize.” teddy bear.”
O a. accept a gift Oa. sweet
O b. admit your mistake O b. silly
Oc. refuse to speak Oc. old

4¢2 THE CAT ATE MY GYMSUIT

 Rescued Whales
Andrew McPhee

Reading Time Maze

Comprehension Sail wi ene Vocabulary

4°3 RESCUEDWHALES 117

 This article describes the rescue of three
young whales who were stranded on a Cape
Cod beach. This is the first time a group of |
whales had been rescued and later successfully
released back into the ocean. If you are
interested in learning more about whales,
ask your local librarian for help.

Sie smiled as the three young magnetic field or too many female whales
whales swam through the ocean, flipping, going too close to shore in search of food for
jumping, and racing one another in circles. their young.
After spending seven months in a 60,000- When a stranding occurs, teams of
gallon pool at the New England Aquarium, scientists and volunteers try to quickly push
the whales were now free. the whales back into deep water. Without
The pilot whales, Notch, Small, and Tag, water for support, a stranded whale may
had been staying at the aquarium ever since suffocate under its own weight. Its organs
they were rescued after running aground. may be crushed.
Although about 60 other whales died during Even when rescuers succeed in getting a
that stranding, the young whales were saved whale into deeper water, they often watch
and nursed back to health. After six months, helplessly as the whale turns around and
the whales were released from a ship about beaches itself again.
120 miles off the coast of Massachusetts. When Notch, Small, and Tag were
When the three whales finally swam away rescued, they were all under two years old
from the ship, scientists on board cheered. and were much smaller than stranded adults.
The event marked the first time that a group The scientists weren’t sure whether the
of whales has been rescued, cared for, and whales would survive.
released back into the wild. Small, the tiniest whale, was still too
No one knows what causes whales to young to feed himself. Scientists placed a
become stranded. Some biologists think that special feeding tube in Small’s stomach to
gently sloping beaches may upset the whales’ give him fluids. In a few weeks, Small started
sonar systems. Whales detect schools of fish to eat on his own. Then, aquarium workers
and other objects by bouncing sonar pulses say, Small would eat so much food all at once
off the objects. When a whale approaches a that he often got a bellyache.
gently sloping beach, the sonar pulses may Tag never had that problem. Weighing
bounce away from the whale instead of 800 pounds when rescued, Tag was the
toward it. The whale may run aground. largest of the three whales. Tag usually ate
Other experts think a leader of a group his own food, plus some of Notch’s food.
of whales becomes ill and beaches itself. Workers sometimes had to keep Tag in a
Because whales often band together, other corner while Notch and Small ate their
whales soon follow, stranding themselves own meals.
as well. The scientists had to be careful that the
Storms may also play a role in the animals did not become too dependent upon
stranding. Other possibilities include the humans. The young pilot whales were kept
presence of local magnetic deposits that upset in an isolated pool and human contact
the ability of whales to navigate by Earth’s was limited.

118 4°3 RESCUED WHALES

 During the first month, the whales were Aquarium biologists decided that the
fed on a regular schedule. In later months, the whales were strong enough to go home.
animals were given food at different times, After a 12-hour journey from Boston out
because in the ocean, the whales would eat into the Atlantic, the ship found an area
irregularly. To get the whales to learn to where dozens of pilot whales were swimming
capture food themselves, live fish were put in in small groups.
the pool. Although young pilot whales Workers lowered Notch overboard first.
normally learn to forage for fish with the Workers then lowered a large wooden box
help of their mothers, the motherless whales that held Small and Tag and watched as the
did capture live food on their own. two whales slid into the ocean. After
By June, the animals were 10 feet long. swimming near the boat for a while, all three
Big Tag had gained over 300 pounds and whales swam off.
weighed over 1,100 pounds. Weighing the The three whales seem to have been
whales every month to see if they were eating adopted by a pod of whales, say biologists
enough was a major project. It took about an who have been tracking them. Since being
hour for 12 workers to weigh each whale. released, the whales have traveled over 1,200
They had to use a forklift to put the whales miles. Now scientists hope the whales stay
on the scale. healthy and leave the beaches to the tourists.

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 195.

1. What causes whales to become stranded? 4. When the whales were released, scientists
0 a. They become confused. Oa. observed their actions.
Ob. They develop breathing Ob. fed them at different times.
problems. O c. carefully weighed them.
0 c. No one knows for sure.
5. Scientists and volunteers tried to push
2. How many whales did the stranded whales back into the water to
scientists save? 0 a. clear the beaches for humans.
0 a. one Ob. track their movements.
0b. two Oc. save the whales’ lives.
Lie. three
6. The scientists were careful to limit human
3. When they were released, the whales contact so that the whales would
0 a. swam 1,200 miles alone. 0 a. learn to care for themselves.
0 b. swam off together. 0 b. not be afraid.
O c. returned to New England. Oc. not beach themselves again.

4°3 RESCUED WHALES 119

 7. The scientists put live food in the whales’ 8. Will the whales return to the aquarium?
tanks to Oa. Yes, when they’re ready to breed.
Oa. give them something to do. Ob. No, they'll stay with the pod.
Ob. teach them how to hunt. Oc. Yes, they will bring other whales
Oc. study how they eat. with them.

The following passage, taken from the selection you

have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 195.

No one knows what causes whales to 1. a. hills b. beaches c. ships

d. trees e. whales
become stranded. Some biologists think that
gently sloping may upset the
2. a. magnetic b. weather c. timed
whales’ sonar systems. Whales detect schools
d. tiny e. sonar
of fish and other objects by bouncing
pulses off the objects. When
3: a. run b. go c. bounce
a whale approaches a gently sloping beach, d. fly e. fade
the sonar pulses may —S—saaay
from the whale instead of mie it. The 4. a. around b. aground c. often
d. quickly e. aside
whale may run
Other experts think :leader of a group of
5. a. others b. anyway c. people
whales becomes ill and beaches
d. itself e. scientists
. Because whales often band
ectties other whales soon follow, stranding
6. a.stranding b. weather c. aquarium
themselves as well. d. ocean e. whales
Storms may also play a role in the

: . Other possibilities include 7. a. sailors b. volunteers Cc. scientists

d. geologists e. whales
the presence of local magnetic deposits that
upset the ability of to

120 4°3 RESCUED WHALES

navigate by Earth’s magnetic field or too 8. a. water b. holes c. sand
d. ships e. people
many female whales going too close to shore
in search of food for their young.
When a stranding occurs, teams of
scientists and volunteers try to quickly push
the whales back into deep
8
Without water for support, a stranded whale
may suffocate under its own weight.

VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 195.

1. After spending seven months in a 4. Without water for support, a stranded

60,000-gallon pool at the New England whale may suffocate under its
Aquarium, the whales were now free. own weight.
0 a. buying O a. smother
Ob. staying Ob. flatten
Oc. costing Oc. enlarge

2. Whales detect schools of fish and . Scientists placed a special feeding

other objects by bouncing sonar pulses tube in Small’s stomach to give
off the objects. him fluids.
0 a. evade 0 a. vitamins
Ob. find Ob. fish
Oc. move Oc. liquids

3. Because whales often band together, . The young pilot whales were kept
other whales soon follow, stranding in an isolated pool and human contact
themselves as well. was limited.
O a. joining together 0 a. remote
O b. running away Ob. cooled
O c. running aground Oc. small

4¢3 RESCUED WHALES 121

 7. Although young pilot whales normally 8. The three whales seem to have been
learn to forage for fish with the help of adopted by a pod of whales, say
their mothers, the motherless whales did biologists who have been tracking
capture live food on their own. them.
0 a. search Oa. attacked
Ob. swim Ob. taken in
Oc. call Oc. followed

122 43 RESCUED WHALES

 4-4

Home Safe Home

Michael Morrison

Reading Time Maze

Comprehension Vocabulary

4°4 HOMESAFEHOME 123

 This article talks about how easy it is to
let accidents happen at home as the result
of simple carelessness. The next time
you’re in a responsible position, think
about these tips for home safety.

J...and Charlie were baby-sitting for your home, and taking simple steps to make
neighbors. It wasn’t their favorite job, so they the dangers less dangerous.
soon found other things to do. Charlie was Trips and falls are the most common cause
trying to read a book assignment for English of injury. Some happen on stairways, others
class and Joe was on the telephone. on level ground. The very young and the very
Meanwhile, baby Johnny wandered about old are at the highest risk.
the house, then outside. Minutes later, Charlie Stairs—even in places where there is only
woke up, shoved aside his English, and asked one step—should be well-lit and easy to see.
Joe where Johnny had toddled off to. Joe Perhaps you, as a teenager, can’t install a
replied “dunno” and went back to discussing new light fixture, but at least you can change a
last weekend’s game. burned-out light bulb when it needs it. Rubber
Charlie searched the house, then, begin- mats or non-slip treads are safer than carpets.
ning to be worried, convinced Joe to hang up Handrails should be sturdy and easy to grab.
and help look for Johnny. They finally found Stairways are not a good place to run, or
Johnny in the garage, happily exploring. Joe to carry so much stuff that you can’t see
determined that Johnny had spilled gasoline where you are going. Nor are they a good
on himself, played in the bucket of asphalt, place to lose your marbles, store your skates,
and was almost to the insect poisons when or throw a banana peel. Baby-sitters should
they rescued him from their own lack of be especially aware of stairs. Babies can
attention. Somehow he made it through OK. move amazingly fast.
This story had a reasonably happy ending. Next in our list of likelihoods is fire.
Many do not. Accidents are the leading cause You’ve heard the expression, “Fight fire
of death for anyone age | to 44, at least in the with fire.” Not necessarily. Fire extinguishers
United States. Injuries kill more teenagers than work much better in the home. Water doesn’t
every other cause combined. “Injury is the always work. If you spray water on an elec-
principal public health problem in America,” trical fire, you could electrocute yourself.
said a National Academy of Science study. It’s good to have a general purpose
Some of those injuries happen on the extinguisher easy to find and easy to use.
highway; others while playing sports. More Read the instructions before a fire starts.
than one third of all injuries and deaths Houses should have at least one smoke
happen in the home. In the United States, alarm that works. Does yours? Do you know
about 100,000 people each year are killed or what to do if, in the middle of the night, it
permanently disabled—right in the “comfort” begins to work? You should be alarmed.
of their own homes. About 24 million Sometimes the alarm can detect a fire before
smaller injuries occur each year. people can smell it.
You can help your family avoid grief and Since smoke usually fills the top half of a
misery by identifying dangerous situations in room first, it’s best to crawl out if you think

124 4°4 HOME SAFE HOME

there might be a fire. More people die of in the bathtub. A baby can drown in one inch
smoke inhalation than from flames. of water, so never leave a baby alone in the
Before you open a door, feel it to see if it’s tub—even if the doorbell rings.
hot. Open cautiously. Crawl quickly. If you’re Another type of trouble babies can get into
not on the ground floor, don’t jump out the is poison. Our homes have an awful lot of
window. Some people have seriously hurt them- poisons in them—medicines, cleaners, weed
selves by jumping—even after the fire was out! poison, floor wax. Even vitamins, when taken
Suffocation kills thousands each year. by the bottleful, can kill.
Babies can choke on plastic bags, buttons, Safety requires thought, alertness, and
stuffed animal eyes, or chunks of food. If you attention to detail. Accidents don’t happen
ever take care of young children, it’s wise to every time we are careless—and we can be
learn how to deal with this problem. thankful for that. But with a little care and
Drowning is one variety of suffocation. preparation, we can help prevent them from
About one fourth of all drownings happen happening, either to us or someone we love.

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 195.

— . Where did Charlie and Joe find Johnny? 5. The best way to keep babies from being
0 a. in the garage poisoned is to
Ob. in the basement O a. tell them not to play with poisons.
Oc. outside QO b. hire a good baby-sitter.
O c. store anything toxic out of reach.
2. The most common cause of injury is
O a. trips and falls. 6. It’s best to crawl out of a building if you
Ob. fires. think there’s a fire because you won’t
Oc. drowning. O a. trip on anything.
Ob. hit your head.
3. What portion of death and injuries happen O c. breathe too much smoke.
in the home?
Oa. less than one quarter 7. Which word best describes Joe and Charlie?
O b. more than one third O a. smart
O c. one half Ob. funny
Oc. lucky
4. Ifyou leave a baby in the bathtub with an ~
inch of water in it, the baby may 8. The author is trying to
0 a. drown. O a. make us laugh.
O b. catch cold. Ob. instruct us.
O c. slip and hurt itself. Oc. scare us.

4°4 HOME SAFE HOME 125

 The following passage, taken from the selection you
have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 195.

Some of those injuries happen on the I a. morning b. car c. stadium

d. home e. east
highway; others while playing sports. More
than one third of all injuries and deaths happen
a. Cars b. injuries c. people
in the . In the United States,
d. cases e. shows
about 100,000 people each year are killed or
permanently disabled—right in the “comfort”
a. see b. call c. try
of their own homes. About 24 million smaller d. lose e. make

occur each year.

2
You can help your family avoid grief and a. roofs b. lawns c. stairways
d. time e. account
misery by identifying dangerous situations in

your home, and taking simple steps to

a. step b. house Cc. person
the dangers less dangerous.
d. dog e. cat
Trips and falls are the most common cause
of injury. Some happen on
a. once b. least c. all
others on level ground. The very young and d. last e. night
the very old are at the highest risk.
Stairs—even in places where there is only a. see b. avoid c. break
d. grab e. read
one —should be well-lit and
5
easy to see. Perhaps you, as a teenager, can’t
install a new light fixture, but at
you can change a burned-out
6 _
light bulb when it needs it. Rubber mats or
non-slip treads are safer than carpets.
Handrails should be sturdy and easy to

Stairways are not a good place to run, or to

126 4°¢4 HOME SAFE HOME

carry so much stuff that you can’t see 8. a. what b. who c. where
d. why e. when
you are going. Nor are they
a good place to lose your marbles, store your
skates, or throw a banana peel.

VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 195.

1. Minutes later, Charlie woke up, shoved 5. You’ve heard the expression, “Fight fire
aside his English, and asked Joe where with fire.”
Johnny had toddled off to. Oa. mistake
O a. skipped quickly 0 b. loud noise
Ob. walked unsteadily Oc. saying
Oc. rolled slowly
. If you spray water on an electrical fire, you
2. Joe replied “dunno” and went back to could electrocute yourself.
discussing last weekend’s game. 0 a. startle
O a. remembering Ob. shock
Ob. thinking about Oc. scare
Oc. talking about
. Before you open a door, feel it to see if it’s
3. This story had a reasonably happy ending. hot. Open cautiously. Crawl quickly.
Many do not. OD a. carefully
D a. fairly O b. swiftly
Ob. very Oc. quietly
Oc. only
. Safety requires thought, alertness, and
4. Next in our list of likelihoods is fire. attention to detail.
O a. possibilities O a. calmness
0 b. dangers Ob. awareness
Oc. plans Oc. memory

4¢4 HOME SAFE HOME 127

 Skin: The Bag You Live In
Linda Allison

SWEAT wae gogr

Lie,
yeoa ad : J ae
5 ales

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MUSCLE LAYER

Reading Time
ice) Ce
Comprehension Le _ Vocabulary

128 4+*5 SKIN: THE BAG YOU LIVE IN

 This passage is from Blood and Guts by
Linda Allison. The book is full of fascinating
information and drawings describing how
the inside of your body works. If you are
interested in reading more of this book, ask
for it at your school or local library.

T. first creatures on earth were sea your internal temperature rises, your brain
creatures. They were protected from the sun’s signals your blood to step up circulation to the
rays by a blanket of ocean. Under water they skin. In this way, the body’s internal heat is
remained cool and moist. The seas they carried by the blood to the surface, where it is
swam were rich in nutrients and minerals. lost by radiation. Meanwhile, the sweat glands
The skin that separated them from their spring into action, and perspiration is released
outside world was rather simple, since their through the pores. This liquid evaporates on
insides were very much like their outsides. your skin and you cool off. When your tem-
Since the earliest days, our environment perature drops your brain signals that heat
and our skins have changed considerably. must now be saved. Less blood circulates to
Inside your body, cells live bathed in a fluid the skin, and sweating stops.
environment much like the ancient seas. Suppose you had a hot can of Coke. If you
Outside your body’s skin is air, a gaseous leave it alone, it will cool down. That’s radia-
space, full of drying winds and radiation tion. If you’re in a hurry for it to cool, you could
from the sun. A dangerous environment for a cover it with a damp cloth. That’s evaporation.
creature who is sixty percent water. On a humid day the air is already full of
Your skin’s main job is to serve as a water and is unwilling to accept more. The
watertight container, preventing your internal perspiration on your skin tends to stay on your
sea from drying up. Skin also keeps things skin rather than evaporating into the air. Eighty
out. Skin provides protection from bacteria, percent humidity means the air contains eighty
dirt, and the sun’s rays. percent of the water it can hold. At this humidi-
Skin is an important part of your body’s ty your cooling system has slowed down and is
climate control system. Sweating, goose operating at about twenty percent efficiency.
bumps, and simple heat loss from the skin No wonder you're sticky and warm!
all help keep your internal temperature com- Skin is made up of layers, rather like a
fortable. Skin is also a sensor; thousands of birthday cake. The under layer is called the
nerve endings in the skin keep you informed dermis. It is alive and contains blood vessels,
of events outside. glands, nerve cells, and hair roots. The layer
Mammals, warm-blooded creatures like on top is the epidermis, the skin’s outer limits.
ourselves, are very fussy about their internal This is made up of layers of dead cells.
temperatures, and with good reason. A few Skin cells in the dermis are constantly
degrees can mean the difference between life growing and being pushed to the surface.
and death. There they die and form the dead outer layer.
A very important job for the bag you live The dead outer cells are rubbed off in little
in is to make sure its contents are kept at a bits. In this way your skin reconstructs itself
comfortable temperature. Skin does this two every few weeks.
ways: by radiation and by evaporation. When If your skin is punctured with a round

4¢5 SKIN: THEBAG YOULIVEIN 129

 instrument like a nail, it leaves a hole. under your tough outside hide. Touch is no
However, it doesn’t leave a round hole. It simple sense. You are able to feel warm,
leaves a slit. Surgeons have made maps of squishy, furry, hard, slimy, freezing cold,
these slit patterns, or cleavage lines. They greasy, hot, etc. Your skin is equipped with
generally follow the crease marks on the sensors for heat, cold, pressure, and pain.
skin, and are about the same for most bodies. Sensations are often combinations of two or
Skin that is cut along a cleavage line rather more kinds of information. Getting kissed is a
than across has a much less likely chance of combination of pressure and heat. Getting
leaving a scar. kicked is a combination of pressure and pain.
Your skin lies between you and the outside Your skin is a suit with many surfaces. It is
world. It is in a position to tell you a lot about damp, dry, thick, thin, hairy, and smooth. It is
what is going on out there. It does so with a pleated to give you room to move. It’s the last
vast network of nerve endings that sit just word in all-purpose suits.

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 195.

1. The human body is 4. Surgeons generally cut along crease marks

O a. forty percent skin. on the skin because
Ob. sixty percent water. O a. the skin is easier to cut that way.
Oc. sixty percent skin. Cb. there is a much smaller chance of
leaving a scar.
Oc. less blood circulates there.

2. The skin’s main job is to 5. The author says that mammals are warm-
0 a. keep the bones in place. blooded. What does that mean?
Ob. replace lost water. O a. Their blood is naturally warm by itself.
Oc. serve as a watertight O b. They have an internal temperature
container. control.
Oc. They are emotional creatures.

6. Why does humidity make it feel hotter?

3. When blood circulation to the skin O a. Sweat evaporates very slowly when
is increased, the it’s humid.
0 a. body cools down. Cb. Sweat evaporates very quickly when
Ob. body heats up. it’s humid.
Oc. blood stops moving. Oc. Sweat radiates quickly when it’s humid.

130 4°5 SKIN: THE BAG YOU LIVE IN

7. The author mentions a can of Coke to 8. Skin is “the last word in all-purpose suits”
O) a. show that she understands other because it is so
things besides science. Oa. colorful.
Ob. appeal to readers who drink it. Ob. versatile.
O c. provide an example of radiation Oc. washable.
and evaporation.

The following passage, taken from the selection you

have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 195.

Skin is an important part of your body’s 1. a. Reaching b. Stretching c. Breathing

d. Sweating e. Growing
climate control system. b)
1
goose bumps, and simple heat loss from the
Ds a. close b. story c. nerve
skin all help keep your internal temperature
d. short e. hair
comfortable. Skin is also a sensor; thousands

of endings in the skin keep

SS a. like b. by c. near
you prac of events outside. d. with e. since

Mammals, warm-blooded creatures

ourselves, are very fussy 4. a. sense b. life c. death

3 d. cold e. heat
about their internal temperatures, and with
good reason. A few degrees can mean the
a» a. world b. house c. city
difference between and
d. work e. bag
death.

A very important job for the 6. a. evaporation b. ignition c. calculation

you live in is to make sure its d. radiation e. circulation

contents are kept at a comfortable

temperature. Skin does this two ways: by

radiation and by . When your

4¢5 SKIN: THE BAG YOU LIVE IN 131

 internal temperature rises, your brain signals 7. a. evaporation b. ignition c. calculation
d. radiation e. circulation
your blood to step up circulation to the skin.
In this way, the body’s internal heat is carried
8. a. heat b. cool c. buzz
by the blood to the surface, where it is lost by
d. ease e. back
. Meanwhile, the sweat

glands cite into action, and perspiration is

released through the pores. This liquid
evaporates on your skin and you
off. When your temperature
drops ie brain signals that heat must now

be saved. Less blood circulates to the skin,

and sweating stops.

VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 195.

1. Since the earliest days, our environ- 3. When your internal temperature rises,
ment and our skins have changed your brain signals your blood to step up
considerably. circulation to the skin.
0 a. quite a bit CO) a. movement
Ob. not very much O b. amount
Oc. differently Oc. increase

2. Your skin’s main job is to serve as a . On a humid day the air is already
watertight container, preventing your full of water and is unwilling to
internal sea from drying up. accept more.
O a. warm Oa. hot
Ob. outer Ob. damp
Oc. inner Oc. cloudy

132 4°5 SKIN: THE BAG YOU LIVE IN

. The perspiration on your skin tends to 7. It does so with a vast network of nerve
stay on your skin rather than evaporating endings that sit just under your tough
into the air. outside hide.
0 a. humidity Oa. skinny
Ob. circulation Ob. large
Oc. sweat Oc. speedy

. In this way your skin reconstructs itself

every few weeks. 8. It is pleated to give you room to move.
O a. remembers 0 a. folded
0 b. requests Ob. checkered
Oc. rebuilds Oc. soft

4°5 SKIN: THE BAG YOU LIVE IN 133

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 5°1

Seward’s Waring |
Natalie Babbitt

Reading Time Maze

Comprehension ee Vocabulary

136 5°41 SEWARD'S WARNING

 This passage is from The Eyes of the
Amaryllis by Natalie Babbitt. It is a novel
about a woman waiting for her husband,
who was lost in a shipwreck thirty years
earlier. If you are interested in reading
more of this book, ask for it at your
school or public library.

|e all you people lying lazy on the afterwards. Nothing. The sea had taken it all,
beach, is this what you imagine is the and gave back not one plank or shred of canvas.
meaning of the sea? Oh, yes, it winks and That is part of the meaning. But there’s
sparkles as it sways beside you, spreading more. A little later, three months or four, a
lacy foam along the sand, as dainty as a young man broke his heart over a foolish
handkerchief. But can you really think that is girl. Nothing to remark about in that, you
all it means? The foam, and these tender think. But he was an artist, that young man.
cowrie shells as pearly as a baby’s toes? This He had carved a figurehead for the Amaryllis,
purple featherweed floating up fine as the the ship that was swallowed, carved it in the
plume of an ostrich? That child in yellow, her likeness of the captain’s wife—proud and
face so grave beneath the brim of her linen handsome, with long red hair. Then he up
hat? She sits there filling her bright tin and broke his heart over a foolish girl, and
bucket with those tiny shovelsful of sand, as one morning very early, while the mist was
cautious as a pharmacist measuring a dose, still thick, he climbed into a dinghy and
and watching her, you murmur to each other, rowed himself straight out, out there well
“Sweet! How sweet!” past the place where that sailboat skims
But listen. This is not the meaning of the along. He rowed out early in the morning,
sea. Less than a hundred and fifty years ago, and he vanished. Oh, they found the dinghy
on this very spot, out there where that row of later, just here, washed up, its oars stowed
rocky points thrusts up above the swells, a neat and dry inside. But he was not washed
ship was lost. There, see? Where those up, though they searched the shore for days.
herring gulls are wheeling down? It all looks He was swallowed, they said at last, swal-
much the same today: the rocks, and this lowed like the Amaryllis.
beach that narrows to a pathway when the But he was not quite swallowed. Listen.
tide is in. But on that day at summer’s end, That is the rest of the meaning of the sea.
the sky went dark, like twilight, with a You lie here so unthinking—have you
shrieking wind, and the sea rose up tall as forgotten that the surface of the earth is
trees. Out there, where the gulls sit sunning three-fourths water? Those gulls out there,
now, it flung a ship against the rocks and they know it better than you. The sea can
swallowed her. It swallowed her whole, and swallow ships, and it can spit out whales
every member of her crew. Captain, cargo, upon the beach like watermelon seeds. It will
every inch of sail and rigging, gone in a take what it wants, and it will keep what it
single gulp, while the captain’s wife stood has taken, and you may not take away from
helpless, watching. Up there, on that little it what it does not wish to give. Listen. No
bluff, that’s where she stood, shrieking back matter how old you grow or how important
at the wind, her son gone dumb with horror on the land, no matter how powerful or
at her side. And there was nothing to bury beautiful or rich, the sea does not care a

5°1 SEWARD'S WARNING 137

 straw for you. That frail grip you keep on the tide. Even your tears are salt.
on the wisp of life that holds you upright— You do not listen. What if I told you that I
the sea can turn it loose in an instant. For was that carver of figureheads, the one they
life came first from the sea and can be taken said was swallowed by the sea? The breeze in
back. Listen. Your bodies, they are three- your ears, it carries my voice. But you only
fourths water, like the surface of the earth. stretch on your fluffy towels and talk of
Ashes to ashes, the Bible says, and maybe present things, taking the sea for granted.
so—but the ashes float on the water of So much the worse for you, then. My two
you, like that purple featherweed floating Genevas listened, long ago, and understood.

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 196.

— . During the storm that caused the 5. According to the narrator, the sea is
shipwreck, the waves rose 0 a. evil.
O a. many, many feet. O b. predictable. —
Ob. as high as a man. Oc. powerful.
Oc. as tall as trees.
6. Why weren’t there any debris or bodies
after the shipwreck?
2. How much of the earth’s surface 0 a. The ship really sailed away.
is covered with water? Ob. The sea is so huge that it can make
O a. one-fourth
things disappear.
Ob. one-half
Oc. A magic spell was cast on the ship.
Oc. three-fourths

7. The narrator is trying to tell us that

3. The young man who carved figureheads O a. it’s dangerous to sail in
O a. ran away in the storm. stormy weather.
Ob. sailed on the Amaryllis. Ob. the sea is more than a bit of sandy
Oc. vanished. beach and sun.
Oc. many people have been lost at sea.

4. The Amaryllis was the name of the 8. This passage could best be described as
O a. lost ship. O a. mysterious.
Ob. captain’s wife. Ob. humorous.
Oc. young girl. Oc. helpful.

138 5¢1 SEWARD’S WARNING

 The following passage, taken from the selection you
have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 196.

But he was not quite swallowed. Listen. l. a. reason b. story c. meaning

d. time e. kind
That is the rest of the of the

sea. You lie here so annie tehe you

a. beaches b. land Cc. rivers
forgotten that the surface of the earth is
d. taken e. water
three-fourths ? Those gulls
out there, they know itbetter than you. The
a. sea b. gull c. monster
can swallow ships, and it can d. night e. sand

spit bit we upon the beach like

watermelon seeds. It will a. take b. see C. say
d. think e. make
what it wants, and it will keep wittatit has
taken, and you may not take away from it
a. young b. tired c. new
what it does not wish to give. Listen. No
d. old e. wide
matter how you grow or how
important on the land, no matter how
a. hold b. care c. need
powerful or beautiful or rich, the sea does not d. take e. grow

a straw for you. That frail

grip a keep on the wisp of life that holds a. fish b. stars c. life
d. ships e. men
you upright—the sea can turn it loose in an
instant. For came first from
a. ocean b. skin c. story
the sea and can be bie back. Listen. Your
d. earth e. ground
bodies, they are three-fourths water, like the

surface of the . Ashes to

ashes, the Bible says, ana maybe so—but the
ashes float on the water of you, like that
purple featherweed floating on the tide. Even

your tears are salt.

5°1 SEWARD'S WARNING 139

 VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 196.

. Oh, yes, it winks and sparkles as it sways 5. Up there . . . that’s where she stood,
beside you, spreading lacy foam along the shrieking back at the wind, her son gone
sand, as dainty as a handkerchief. dumb with horror at her side.
0 a. delicate O a. insane
0 b. white O b. silent
O c. crumpled Oc. dizzy

. Oh, they found the dinghy later, just

. That child in yellow, her face so grave
here, washed up, its oars stowed neat and
beneath the brim of her linen hat?
0 a. bright dry inside.
Da. loose
Ob. gay
O b. left
Oc. serious
Oc. stored

. She sits there filling her bright tin . That frail grip you keep on the wisp of
bucket with those tiny shovelsful of life that holds you upright—the sea can
sand, as cautious as a pharmacist turn it loose in an instant.
measuring a dose. O a. strong
O a. happy Ob. thoughtless
Ob. careful Oc. weak
Oc. grim
. But you only stretch on your fluffy towels
. There, see? Where those herring gulls are and talk of present things, taking the sea
wheeling down? for granted.
O a. circling O a. pleasure and fun
Ob. diving Ob. accepted as it appears
Oc. screaming Oc. mysterious and unknown

5¢1 > SEWARD'S WARNING

 5°2

America’s Women
Maura Christopher

AME

Reading Time Maze

Comprehension reo apie Vocabulary

5¢2 AMERICA’S WOMEN 141

 Many of our present attitudes toward women were
once very different. This article discusses some of
the recent developments in the way Americans look.
at women’s roles at work and at home. If you are
interested in learning more about the women’s
movement, ask your librarian for information.

E... your desk—you’re fired!” With director of the Women’s Action Alliance.
these words, a boss stunned his employee. “They said it wasn’t good for a girl to be too
She was a hard worker. She got along well smart.”
with others. Why was she fired? Because, she Experts advised that “too much” exercise
found out later, she was pregnant. In the early was unhealthy for women. The idea of
1950s, that was reason enough. women taking up running or weightlifting
The woman was Betty Friedan. After was unheard of.
she was fired, Friedan stayed home while Fifty-one percent of men thought that
her husband worked. Meanwhile, she wrote women were “temperamentally unfit for man-
a book called The Feminine Mystique, pub- agement” positions, according to a 1965 study.
lished in 1963. Friedan’s book, experts say, Clearly, the women who joined the cause
helped spark the modern women’s-rights of feminism—the idea that women should be
movement. treated as men’s equals—achieved many
How far have women come in the years breakthroughs in the 1960s and 1970s. The
since The Feminine Mystique was published? winners of their battles are today’s young
How are Americans’ lives changing as new women. Julie Roberg, for example, hasn’t
attitudes about women’s roles at work and settled on a career choice, but she’s leaning
home take hold? What challenges lie ahead toward becoming a doctor. She also wants to
for women? marry someday, and she says her husband
Throughout this article, you'll read of gains will “share the responsibilities.” These expec-
that will make you proud of the progress that tations would have seemed radical 20 years
women have achieved. “Now we have the ago, but Roberg says she is not a feminist.
opportunities,” says Julie Roberg, a 16-year- “There has been a very deep change in the
old junior. “It is up to us to make something way young women view themselves,” Kramer
of ourselves.” says. “They think of themselves as equal to
How far have women come? One measure boys. They feel they are entitled to equal pay
of progress is to look back at some attitudes and equal opportunities. They don’t feel that’s
and conditions that were common just 20 feminism, but it is.”
years ago. Young women can point with confidence
In most states, a woman could not sign an to their already impressive gains in the
apartment lease, obtain a credit rating, or workplace. According to the United States
apply for a loan unless her husband or a male Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 1985, women
relative agreed to share responsibility. accounted for 17 percent of all doctors, 18
Many people believed that it was smart percent of all lawyers, and 44 percent of all
for a woman to act dumb. “Many of my accountants. Consider these:
friends’ parents wouldn’t send their daughters More than 1,000 women serve in state legis-
to college,” says Sylvia Kramer, executive latures—three times the number 15 years ago.

142 5°2 AMERICA’S WOMEN

 Women mayors head more than 80 cities as much work at home as their husbands.
with populations over 30,000. Many women are calling for new ways
Some 1,300 women are state judges, up to help them work and meet their families’
from 600 a few years ago. needs. Few employers offer women flexible
Women own more than 3 million busi- work hours or leaves of absence to meet
nesses. This has jumped 300 percent since parental duties. Most U.S. companies do not
1979. even guarantee a woman her job back if she
Women own or run more than 60 cor- leaves temporarily to have a child. The USS.
porations with yearly sales of greater than is the only industrialized Western nation
$15 million. without a national child-care policy.
More than half of all US. professionals Many experts believe that the well-being
are women. of America’s children and families, the
Women earned 30.4 percent of the medical institution of marriage, and the productivity
degrees awarded in 1985. of U.S. workers depends on taking these
Still, women continue to bear most of the final steps. As US. Secretary of Labor
daily work of managing a family. According William Brock says, “Women’s issues are
to one recent study, women do two to six times America’s issues.”

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 196.

1. Betty Friedan was fired because she 4. Twenty years ago, some parents wouldn’t
O a. didn’t work hard enough. send their daughters to college because
0 b. was pregnant. Oa. there were no women’s colleges available.
Oc. was “temperamentally unfit” O b. parents wanted to educate their
to work. children at home.
O c. people didn’t think a girl should be
too smart.
2. While Betty Friedan was at home she
Oa. wrote a book. 5. Feminism means that
Ob. decided to accept her role as O a. smart women should act dumb.
a housewife. Ob. women should be treated as men’s equals.
Oc. started a business. O c. women are smarter than men.

6. Many women now work outside the

3. Julie Roberg wants to be a home because
0 a. lawyer. Oa. men no longer need to work.
0 b. doctor. O b. the unemployment rate has decreased.
Oc. housewife. 0 c. women have worked hard for equality.

5°2 AMERICA’S WOMEN 143

 7. Which problem still needs to 8. Secretary of Labor William Brock said,
be solved? “Women’s issues are America’s issues.”
O a. Women do more work at home What does that mean?
than their husbands. O a. Women are a very important part
O b. Women cannot sign rental of American society.
agreements. 0 b. All women deserve management
O c. Women are always fired when they positions.
get pregnant. O c. Men are less intelligent than they
were twenty years ago.

The following passage, taken from the selection you

have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 196.

How far have women come? One 1. a. reason b. cause c. time

d. measure e. page
of progress is to look back at
some attitudes and conditions that were
2. a.woman b.man c. landlord
common just 20 years ago.
d. child e. person
In most states, a could not

sign an apartment lease, obtain a credit

3. a. daughter b. wife c. husband
rating, or apply for a loan unless her d. mother e. senator
or a male relative agreed to
share ok seal 4. a. smart b. up Cc. easy
d. proper e. dumb
Many people believed that it was smart for
a woman to act . “Many of
a a. smart b. up Cc. easy
my friends’ parents alan send their
d. proper e. dumb
daughters to college,” says Sylvia Kramer,
executive director of the Women’s Action
Alliance. “They said it wasn’t good for a girl
to be too
5
Experts advised that “too much” exercise

144 5°2 AMERICA’S WOMEN

was unhealthy for women. The idea of 6. a. getting b. taking c. waking
women up running or d. filling e. running

weightlifting was unheard of.

iowa. left b. ignored c. watched
Fifty-one percent of men thought that
d. joined e. reached
women were “temperamentally unfit for
management” positions, according to a
8. a. results b. dates c. winners
1965 study. d. whole e. losers
Clearly, the women who
7
the cause of feminism—the idea that women
should be treated as men’s equals—achieved
many breakthroughs in the 1960s and 1970s.
The of their battles are
ae ae
today’s young women.

VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 196.

1. “Empty your desk—you’re fired!” 3. Clearly, the women who joined the cause of
With these words, a boss stunned feminism—the idea that women should be
his employee. treated as men’s equals—achieved many
0 a. shocked breakthroughs in the 1960s and 1970s.
0 b. rewarded 0 a. accidents
Oc. prodded 0 b. successes
Oc. disappointments
2. Fifty-one percent of men thought that
women were “temperamentally unfit for . These expectations would have seemed
management” positions, according to a radical 20 years ago, but Roberg says she
1965 study. is not a feminist.
O a. physically O a. tame
O b. partially Ob. extreme
O c. emotionally Oc. normal

5°2 AMERICA’S WOMEN 145

 5. They feel they are entitled to equal pay 7. Most U.S. companies do not even
and equal opportunities. guarantee a woman her job back if she
0 a. available for leaves temporarily to have a child.
Ob. happy with 0 a. permanently
Oc. deserving of Ob. frequently
O c. briefly
. Young women can point with confidence
to their already impressive gains in the . Many experts believe that the well-being
workplace. of America’s children and families, the
0 a. remarkable institution of marriage, and the
Ob. easy productivity of U.S. workers depends on
Oc. various taking these final steps.
Oa. increase
O b. efficiency
Oc. income

146 5°2 AMERICA’S WOMEN

 5°3

| Am the Cheese
Robert Cormier

Reading Time Maze

Comprehension pong eat: Vocabulary

5°3 |AMTHECHEESE 147

 I Am the Cheese by Robert Cormier is a
suspenseful tale about a disturbed boy who
discovers the truth about his past. If you are
interested in reading more of this book, ask
for it at your school or public library.

i emerge from the drugstore and walk to I return to the alley. It’s narrow, barely
the parking meter and my bike is gone. The room for a boy and a bike to pass through,
five o’clock crowd passes by on the sidewalk, but I enter anyway, running through the nar-
hurrying home from the office or the factory, row passage, my shoulders brushing the
feet scurrying over the pavement. A bus halts rough brick exterior. The alley is so narrow
with a hissing and its doorway exhales that claustrophobia threatens me again and
people. Traffic lights flash on and off, and my palms turn wet with perspiration while
car horns sound. And I stand there isolated by drops of sweat gather in my armpits. I plunge
myself on a small invisible island, and I look onward, through the alley, bursting finally
at the spot where my bike had been. I out of it and find myself in a deserted area
shouldn’t have left it there unguarded. I have behind the Main Street buildings. Rubbish
my father’s package in my hand and I hold it barrels; a derelict car, without wheels, sunk in
tightly, pressing it against my body, afraid the ground; boarded-up windows. Dusk hides
that someone will rush by me and tear it whatever is in corners.
from my grasp. I feel vulnerable, a headache “Lose something, honey?”
beginning, migraine maybe, a small spot of I whirl around, surprised at the voice
pain like a tumor throbbing in my forehead, because there’s no one or nothing there.
above my eye. I touch the spot with my hand “Up here,” the voice says.
as if the pain is visible, touchable by my He’s standing on the fire-escape landing,
fingers. But mostly I stare dumbfounded at above me on the second floor. Squinting, I see
the spot where my bike had been. that he is huge, a mountainous man, with a
I look around to see if someone has played white shirt open at the chest although it’s
a trick on me, a prank, has hidden the bike cold in the New England dusk. As my eyes
somewhere nearby. The mouth of an alley become accustomed to the twilight, I see that
looms between two stores and I glance into his face is moist, his plump cheeks wet, his
the alley. Nothing but a few newspapers forehead soaked. He has a handkerchief and
rolling in the wind, a rubbish barrel, and a he dabs ineffectually at his forehead. He leans
cat with arched back poised next to the against the iron railing of the fire escape and
barrel. The cat hisses and I turn away, the railing creaks in protest. Instinctively, I
glancing up and down the sidewalk. I back away a step or two, afraid that the entire
encounter only strangers and no bike. structure will collapse, come crashing down.
But the alley draws me again. If I had Had he called me “honey”?
taken a bike, I'd have gotten out of there “Somebody stole my bike,” I say. “T left it
fast, and the most likely route was the in front of a store only for a minute or two
alley, a quick getaway, instead of the open and when I came out it was gone.”
exposure of the street where someone could “That’s right, honey, they'll steal anything
yell “stop, thief.” these days. There used to be a saying, They'll

148 5°3 |AM THE CHEESE

steal anything that’s not tied down, but these “Did you see anybody come running
days they’ll steal anything, even if it is tied through here with a bike?” I ask.
down.” The more he talks, the more “You stay in one place long enough, you
pronounced his accent becomes. see a lot of things,” he says, his tone taunting
I wonder if he can see my frown of distaste now, as if he wants to play a game. “Know
as I look at his monstrous body, all that sweat what’s hard? Being this way, stuck in a cage
on a cold evening, and the way his lips this way, and having to wait for everything to
pronounce the word honey. He repels me but come to you, not being able to go after
I’m sure he knows something about the bike. anything. See what I mean?”
Why had he asked whether I'd lost something I see what he means. The iron railings
when he saw me standing there? and banisters and rungs of the fire escape
are cagelike.

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 196.

1. After he realizes his bike is missing, 5. The narrator left his bike unguarded
the narrator because he
0 a. gets a headache. O a. didn’t care if it was stolen.
Ob. becomes involved in Ob. was only going to be away for a moment.
an argument. Oc. forgot where he left it.
O c. loses his father’s package.
6. Why doesn’t the narrator run away when
2. The narrator looks for his bike he sees the fat man?
DO a. behind the buses and cars. 0 a. He’s not frightened.
Ob. by the railroad tracks. 0 b. He thinks the man knows where
Oc. down a narrow alley. his bike is.
O c. The man won’t let him leave.
3. The narrator finds himself in a deserted
area behind Main Street because 7. The man spends his time watching a back
O a. he guesses that the thief lot because he’s
went there. Oa. a policeman.
0 b. the fat man told him that the Ob. waiting to meet a friend.
thief went that way. Oc. unable to go anywhere else.
0 c. he saw some tire tracks
leading there. 8. Choose the word that best describes how
the narrator felt when he discovered that
4. The huge man is standing his bike was missing.
0 a. behind an old car. Oa. pleased
O b. in a jail cell. Ob. upset
O c. ona fire escape. Oc. lonely

5°3 |AM THE CHEESE 149

 The following passage, taken from the selection you
have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 196.

I emerge from the drugstore and walk to I a. passes b. stands Cc. waits
d. looks e. hears
the parking meter and my bike is gone. The
five o’clock crowd by on the
a. through b. under Cc. Over
sidewalk, hurrying home ae the office or d. above e. into
the factory, feet scurrying
the pavement. A bus halts with a HiSiag and a. COps b. lights Cc. cars
its doorway exhales people. Traffic d. jams e. lanes

flash on and off, and car

horns Anal And I stand there isolated by a. package b. bus c. father

d. train e. bike
myself on a small invisible island, and
I look at the spot where my
a. hand b. hat c. pocket
had been. I shouldn’t have left it ie d. shoe e. mouth
unguarded. I have my father’s package in

my and I hold it tightly, a. stroll b. crawl tall

d. rush e. trip
pressing it ae my body, afraid that
someone will by me
a. ankles b. knees c. hands
and tear it from my grasp. I feel vulner-
d. forehead e. toes
able, a headache beginning, migraine

maybe, a small spot of pain like a tumor

a. elbows b. fingers Cc. Cars

throbbing in my , above d. toes e. knees

my eye. I touch the spot with my hand as

if the pain is visible, touchable by my

. But mostly I stare

qitoaed at the spot where my bike

had been.

150 5°3 |AM THE CHEESE

 VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 196.

. A bus stops with a hissing and its doorway 5. Rubbish barrels; a derelict car, without
exhales people. wheels, sunk in the ground; boarded-up
Oa. sends out windows.
Ob. takes in 0 a. abandoned
O c. transports Ob. new
O c. rebuilt
. I feel vulnerable, a headache beginning, a
migraine maybe... . 6. As my eyes become accustomed to the
O a. asking questions twilight, I see that his face is moist, his
Ob. reading for suggestions plump cheeks wet, his forehead soaked.
Oc. open to attack 0 a. attached
Ob. used
. I touch the spot with my hand as if the Oc. indifferent
pain is visible, touchable by my fingers.
Oa. very severe 7. He has a handkerchief and he dabs inef-
Ob. able to be seen fectually at his forehead.
Oc. understandable O a. silently
Ob. repeatedly
. The alley is so narrow that claustrophobia Oc. uselessly
threatens me again and my palms turn wet
with perspiration while drops of sweat 8. The more he talks, the more pronounced
gather in my armpits. his accent becomes.
O a. fear of closed-in spaces 0 a. wordy
QO b. fear of water Ob. noticeable
O c. fear of animals Oc. vague

5°3 |AMTHE CHEESE 151

 54

Hang Gliding .
William Bixby

Reading Time Maze

Comprehension foes cet Vocabulary

152 5*4 HANGGLIDING

 This passage is from The Hang Gliding Book by
William Bixby. It describes the unforgettable
experience of hang gliding, as well as giving you
some tips on learning to hang glide yourself. If
you are interested in reading more of this book,
ask for it at your school or public library.

F.. the earliest times, men have envied high cliffs overlooking the westward-facing
the freedom of birds in flight. We often use a beaches proved to be good launching sites.
phrase that says just that: “free as a bird.” Since then, hang gliding has become a truly
Today, people are experiencing that national sport. The USHGA (United States
freedom in the sport of hang gliding. From Hang Gliding Association), a growing and
the coastal cliffs and mountains of California spirited body, is the national organization.
to the shores of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, According to the USHGA, more than 100,000
these “free-as-a-bird” fliers are launching people have tried the new sport.
their gliders. They use no motors, only the Hang gliding attracts people of all ages and
wind. Once their gliders are launched, the from all walks of life. Michael McCarron,
fliers must use all their skill, knowledge, and of Saratoga Springs, New York, has taught
luck to stay in the sky, make a successful hang gliding for over two years. His students
flight, and land safely. Some flights last for include teenagers, grandfathers, skiers,
hours. Others only a few minutes. But all who musicians, and his wife.
fly say they have never felt so free and To many spectators and journalists, the sport
peaceful before. appears to appeal to daredevils only. And of
One veteran flier, Charles Baughman, course, there are fliers who delight in acrobat-
gets his greatest kick soaring with eagles. ics and competitive stunts. These pilots make
He often has eagles maneuver alongside of up only a small fraction of those who fly.
him. They eye him curiously as he imitates It is little wonder that spectators get the
them, and, for a moment, he feels as if he is feeling of daredeviltry when pilots step off
an eagle. cliffs or leap from mountain outcroppings
Even beginners find their first few seconds with their gliders. The sight of people in their
in the air an unforgettable experience. David gliders, high above a valley floor, is a breath-
Reed, of Vermont, is a beginner. He takes his stopping thing to watch.
glider to a small hill near Bennington and How do these daredevils feel, as they move
practices. Holding his glider kite, Dave runs out, away from the cliff and into the air?
down the slope into the oncoming wind. John Davis described it beautifully. “You’re
When he moves the control bar forward, he still breathing hard from that first takeoff
sometimes rises into the air. When that first from the edge of the world. It’s amazing how
happened, Dave forgot everything he had the ground just seems to drop away from
been trying to learn and stared at the ground you— 10 feet, 50 feet, 200 feet, and finally
a few feet below him in total disbelief. “It over half a mile. Now you are caught up in
blew my mind,” he said. “I was off the the sheer natural beauty that envelops you
ground. I was flying!” from all sides. All the intricate maneuvers
In this country, the sport of hang gliding you had planned for the high-altitude flight
got its start in California around 1970. The were left on takeoff, as you spend your 14

5°4 HANG GLIDING 153

 minutes of flight looking at the living early morning sink in the meadow, you just
painting from an angle that few people are pull it in at treetop level and come in for that
privileged to experience. You notice that you final ground skim to a landing so soft that
are talking to yourself and trying to keep your feet don’t even leave footprints on the
from shouting out loud how you feel. Five thick, long meadow grass. Nothing needs to
minutes into the flight your face starts to ache be said, so you just stand there.”
because you can’t stop smiling. You don’t Many of the veterans of this new sport are
want to come down, but the lack of thermals in their late teens or in their twenties. Many
in the early morning makes it a necessity. In of these young people are instructors, and
fact you are rapidly approaching the tops of they often teach the rules of hang gliding to
the trees; your landing approach may be your would-be pilots more than twice their age.
easiest, but you can’t relax. The meadow is But the common bond of being able to fly
about a quarter-mile square, so with the cool like a bird wipes out all age differences.

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 196.

— . Charles Baughman flies with 5. Most people who hang glide especially
0 a. hawks. enjoy the
Ob. ducks. QO a. money.
Oc. eagles. Ob. freedom.
Oc. fame.
2. Hang gliding got its start in
0 a. California. 6. The number of people who are learning to
Ob. Massachusetts. hang glide is
QO c. Utah. Oa. dwindling.
Ob. decreasing.
3. According to the USHGA, how many Oc. increasing.
people have tried hang gliding?
0 a. ten thousand 7. John Davis did not do all the maneuvers
Ob. one hundred thousand he had planned because he
Oc. one million O a. was overwhelmed by the view.
Ob. forgot how to do them.
4. John Davis says that morning flights don’t Oc. was afraid to try.
last very long because
Oa. the air is too cold. 8. Many hang gliding veterans are young because
Ob. too many thermals make it hard O a. hang gliding is a fairly new sport.
to stay up. Ob. older people have trouble hang gliding.
Oc. the lack of thermals makes it Oc. young people have more time to
hard to stay up. hang glide.

154 5°4 HANG GLIDING

 MAZE
The following passage, taken from the selection you
have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 196.

“You're still breathing hard from that first l. a. bird b. people Cc. piece
takeoff from the edge of the world. It’s eens eeround
amazing how the just seems
ees aw ah a. foot b. yard c. meter
too dr drop away ffrom you—10 —10 fefeet, 50 feet, 200 qo aile oder
feet, and finally over half a
2
Now you are caught up in the sheer natural
Sh a. picnic b. nap c. flight
beauty that envelops you from all sides. All d. dream e. rest
the intricate maneuvers you had planned for
the high-altitude were left on 4. a. snoring b. thinking c. flying
Eso aad ak
takeoff, as you spend your 14 minutes of orese Eanes
flight looking at the living painting from an
5. a. they b. you c. it
angle that few people are privileged to nae one
experience. You notice that you are

Se eas be youre and cyanate 6. a.approaching b. finding c. seeing

keep from shouting out loud how you feel. d. hearing e. smelling
Five minutes into the flight your face starts to
ache because can’t stop 7. a. house b. rock c. meadow
; d.tree e. pavement
smiling. You don’t want to come down, but P

the lack of thermals in the early morning

makes it a necessity. In fact you are rapidly
the tops of the trees; your
ech may be your easiest, but

you can’t relax. The ; is about

a quarter-mile square, so with the cool early
morning sink in the meadow, you just pull it
in at treetop level and come in for that final

5°4 HANG GLIDING 155

 ground skim to a landing so 8. a. unreal b. soon c. hard
d. swift e. soft
that your feet don’t even leave footprints on
the thick, long meadow grass. Nothing needs
to be said, so you just stand there.”

VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 196.

— . He often has eagles maneuver alongside 5. To many spectators and journalists, the
of him. sport appears to appeal to daredevils only.
O a. move Oa. onlookers
Ob. attack Ob. students
Oc. swim Oc. show-offs

. Holding his glider kite, Dave runs down . “Now you are caught up in the sheer
the slope into the oncoming wind. beauty that envelops you from all sides.”
Oa. approaching QO) a. extreme
Ob. sideways Ob. slight
Oc. motionless Oc. extra

. The high cliffs overlooking the westward- . “... you spend your 14 minutes of flight
facing beaches proved to be good looking at the living painting from an
launching sights. angle that few people are privileged to
D a. flying experience.”
Ob. collapsing Oa. around
O c. take-off Ob. hoping
Oc. allowed
. The USHGA (United States Hang Gliding
Association), a growing and spirited body, . But the common bond of being able to fly
is the national organization. like a bird wipes out all age differences.
O a. depressing QO) a. argument
Ob. lively Ob. connection
Oc. desperate Oc. rules

156 5°4 HANG GLIDING

 5°5

A Long Way to Whiskey Creek

Patricia Beatty

en tt Re lice ict om Sent SiRRti ose gs He

Reading Time
aed Maze

Comprehension
ie eee Vocabulary

5¢5 ALONG WAY TO WHISKEY CREEK 157

 This passage is from A Long Way to Whiskey
Creek by Patricia Beatty. The novel tells the
story of a boy’s adventures in the Old West.
If you are interested in reading more of this
book, ask for it at your school or public library.

Te: was no sound but the chink of the “There’s some cornbread and some slab
harness as Pilgrim and Hooraw followed the bacon in oné a them sacks, kid,” he told Nate.
wagon ruts northward. Parker glanced once or “We ain’t makin’ no fire tonight. We’ll be
twice at Nate Graber as they went along, won- sleepin’ under the wagon.”
dering if he’d made a mistake. Maybe he “All right, Parker.” Nate Graber threw his
should a picked somebody else to keep him blankets and Parker’s bedroll onto the grass,
company. Take that bus’ness of not hiding in and asked, “How far is the next town?”
back with the coffin. Nate should a done that “That'd be Lockville. Thirty miles north, I
for his own good. It was beginnin’ to look like reckon. I ain’t never been there. I ain’t never
this Graber kid didn’t know a heifer from a been outa this county or north a this river. I
horned frog—even if he did come from Texas. don’ even know where this here river goes.”
Before long they came to the Colorado “Oh, it flows to the Gulf of Mexico. It rises
River, flowing eastward. Parker turned off the in West Texas,” Nate said precisely. Then he
road, jolting the wagon to a spot under some added, “How long will we be gone?”
trees. Here he stopped the team. “We'll cross “T dunno. Six weeks—two months. That
over in the mornin’.” he said. oughta give ya timeto have a rest from the
Nate nodded his head, his pale ringlets flut- widow, huh?”
tering in the chilly night wind. “You think Nate spoke eagerly. “That would give me
nobody will be coming after me until then?” time to teach you to read and write, Parker. I
he asked. helped teach the smaller children at school, so
Parker only grunted. Just as soon as he I know how.”
could get his hands on some shears he was From the wagon wheel where he was tying
going to do something about Graber’s hair. the team, Parker said, “I can’t see a man needs
“Did the widow make you have them curls? it to be a roughstring rider.”
You hanker after keepin’ ’em?” “Everybody ought to be able to do those
“T hate them!” things!” protested Nate Graber.
Parker laughed as he started to unhitch the “T told you I can’t see no need for it to herd
horses. He’d tie them to the wagon wheel, not cow brutes or bust broncs. Don’t keep at me
hobble them tonight. There wasn’ any point in about it unless you want your wishbone
chasin’ after ’em at daybreak, not if they scratched up plenty.” Before Nate could say
wanted a real head start on somebody the anything else, Parker started whistling for
widow might be sendin’. Maybe she’d never J.E.B. Stuart. He’d tie him up, too. There wasn’
find out which way Nate’d lit out or who any call for the dog to be out chasin’ jacks two
he’d gone with. Parker was almost willing nights in a row.
to bet his precious Lone Star boots that few They forded the Colorado at daybreak at
men who might have seen them leaving what Parker judged was the most shallow place.
Cottonwood would tell on Nate. The water came high enough on the wheels

158 5°*5 ALONG WAY TO WHISKEY CREEK

for Nate to reach down nervously and touch it. Texas when somebody says “He’s a good man
“Ts it warmer’n it was when we got baptized to ride a river with’?”
in it?” asked Parker. “No.”
“A little bit.” Nate sighed with relief as the Parker Quiney sighed. “I didn’t reckon
team plodded onto the opposite bank. “I ya would. It means you got pure grit in ya.
thought for a while there the water would There ain’t nothin more dangerous than ridin’
flood the wagon and maybe your team would rivers with a trail herd.” He clucked to
have to swim.” Hooraw and Pilgrim as they reached high
Parker shook his head. “Nope. I reckoned ground. Wet from his swim, J.E.B. Stuart
right about this ford and didn’ git us into no went dashing past the team. Parker asked,
boghole. But there’ll be a couple more rivers to “Nate, what'd your pa do anyhow?”
cross before we git where I’m goin’.” He cer- “Oh, he was a schoolteacher. . . .”
tainly hadn’t liked Nate’s nervousness at this Parker groaned aloud. “A wisdom bringer.
first fording. “You know what it means in I mighta knowed it.”

COMPREHENSION |
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 196.

— . Parker and Nate are trying to get 5. How does Parker feel about having Nate
away from withhim on the trail?
0 a. a herd of cows. Oa. He’s glad to have his company.
Ob. the widow. O b.He thinks Nate will be helpful
OO c. the town deputy. with the horses.
Oc. He’s not sure it’s a good idea.
2. Parker wants some shears to 6. Parker drove the wagon through the
0 a. clean his Lone Star boots. river because
Ob. trim Nate’s long hair. 0 a. it was the only way to cross.
Oc. mend the wagon wheel. Ob. they were being followed.
Oc. Nate was nervous.
3. Nate wants to teach Parker
how to
7. Which skill does Nate think is most important?
0 a. read and write. Oa. herding cows
Ob. be a roughstring rider. O b. driving wagons
O c. hobble horses.
0 c. knowing how to read and write

8. The word that best describes Parker’s

4. Nate’s father had been a attitude about Nate’s offer is
O a. roughstring rider. 0 a. uninterested.
Ob. preacher. Ob. pleased.
Oc. schoolteacher. Oc. enthusiastic.

5°¢5 ALONG WAY TO WHISKEY CREEK 159

 The following passage, taken from the selection you
have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 196.

Before long they came to the Colorado 1. a.radio b. horses c. wagon

. Wi . road
River, flowing eastward. Parker turned off didow pane

the , jolting the wagon to a

: 2. a.head b.hands_ c. nose
spot under some trees. Here he stopped the cee pas

team. “We'll cross over in the mornin’,” he

ai 3. a.hat b.book —c. hair

Nate nodded his , his pale d. education e. mood
2
ringlets fluttering in the chilly night wind.
“You think nobody will be coming after me 4. a. glue b. tie c. place
d. take e. feed
until then?” he asked.
Parker only grunted. Just as soon as he could
5. a. easily b. never c. always
get his hands on some shears he was going to fat
e. quickly
do something about Graber’s
“Did the widow make you have hed curls?
You hanker after keepin’ ’em.”

“T hate them!”

Parker laughed as he started to unhitch the

horses. He’d them to the
wagon wheel, not hobble them tonight. There
wasn’ any point in chasin’ after ’em at

daybreak, not if they wanted a real head start

on somebody the widow might be sendin’.
Maybe she’d find out which
way Nate’d lit out saeha he’d gone with.
Parker was almost willing to bet his precious
Lone Star boots that few men who might

160 5°5 ALONG WAY TO WHISKEY CREEK

have seen them Cottonwood 6. a. writing b. whistling c. leaving
would tell on Nate. d. polishing e. burning

“There’s some cornbread and some slab

7. a. under b. around c. above
bacon in one a them sacks, kid,” he told
d. in e. without
Nate. “We ain’t makin’ no fire tonight. We'll
be sleepin’ the wagon.”
8. a. river b. mountain c. widow
“All right, Parker.” Nate Graber threw d. town e. mayor
his blankets and Parker’s bedroll onto the
grass, and asked, “How far is the next
”
8
“That'd be Lockville. Thirty miles north, I
reckon. I ain’t never been there.”

VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 196.

1. Parker turned off the road, jolting the 3. Just as soon as he could get his hands on
wagon to a spot under some trees. some shears he was going to do something
O a. bouncing about Graber’s hair.
Ob. steering 0 a. knives
O c. leading Ob. scissors
Oc. curlers

2. Nate nodded his head, his pale

ringlets fluttering in the chilly 4. Parker was almost willing to bet his
night wind. precious Lone Star boots. . . .
O a. rings O a. comfortable
Ob. bells Ob. valuable
Oc. curls Oc. antique

5°5 ALONG WAY TO WHISKEY CREEK 161

 5. “Oh, it flows to the Gulf of Mexico. It rises 7. They forded the Colorado at daybreak
in West Texas,” Nate said precisely. at what Parker judged was the most
0 a. drips irregularly shallow place.
Ob. returns yearly Oa. reached
Oc. moves easily Ob. crossed
Oc. swam

. “Everybody ought to be able to do those . “L reckoned right about this ford and didn’
things,” protested Nate Graber. git us into no boghole.”
0 a. objected O a. figured out
Ob. whined O b. remembered
Oc. agreed Oc. hoped

162 5°5 ALONG WAY TO WHISKEY CREEK

 6°1

Sounder
William H. Armstrong

a
Reading Time Maze

Comprehension Vocabulary

164 6+*1 SOUNDER

 The following passage is from Sounder by
William H. Armstrong. It is the story of a poor
sharecropper’s son and the dog he loves. If you
are interested in reading more of this book,
ask for it at your school or public library.

T. boy moved quickly around the corner murmured to himself. If he found a stray on
and out of sight of the iron door and the gray the way home, his mother would say “I’m
cement walls of the jail. At the wall in front afraid, child. Don’t bring it in the cabin. If it’s
of the courthouse he stood for a while and still here when mornin’ comes, you take it
looked back. When he had come, he was down the road and scold it and run so it won’t
afraid, but he felt good in one way because foller you no more. If somebody come
he would see his father. He was bringing him lookin’, you’d be in trouble.”
a cake for Christmas. And he wasn’t going to A great part of the way home the boy
let his father know he was grieved. So his walked in darkness. In the big houses he saw
father wouldn’t be grieved. beautiful flickering lights and candles in the
There were only a few people loafing windows. Several times dogs rushed to the
around the courthouse wall, so the boy sat for front gates and barked as he passed. But no
a spell. He felt numb and tired. What would stray pup came to him along the lonely,
he say to his mother? He would tell her that empty stretches of road. In the dark he
the jailer was mean to visitors but didn’t say thought of the bull-necked man crumpled
nothing to the people in jail. He wouldn’t tell on the floor in the cake crumbs, like the
her about the cake. When he told her his strangled bull in the cattle chute, and he
father had said she shouldn’t send him again, walked faster. At one big house the mailbox
that he would send word by the visiting by the road had a lighted lantern hanging on
preacher, she would say “You grieved him, it. The boy walked on the far side of the road
child. I told you to be perk so you wouldn’t so he wouldn’t show in the light. “People
grieve him.” hangs em out when company is comin’ at
Nobody came near where the boy sat or night,” the boy’s father had once told him.
passed on the street in front of the wall. He When court was over, they would take his
had forgotten the most important thing, he father to a road camp or a quarry or a state
thought. He hadn’t asked his father where farm. Would his father send word with the
Sounder had come to him on the road when visiting preacher where he had gone? Would
he wasn’t more’n a pup. That didn’t make any they take his father away to the chain gang
difference. for a year or two years before he could tell
But along the road on the way to the jail, the visiting preacher? How would the boy
before the bull-necked man had ruined find him then? If he lived closer to the town,
everything, the boy had thought his father he could watch each day, and when they took
would begin to think and say “If a stray ever his father away in the wagons where convicts
follard you and it wasn’t near a house, likely were penned up in huge wooden crates, he
somebody’s dropped it. So you could fetch it could follow.
home and keep it for a dog.” The younger children were already in
“Wouldn’t do no good now,” the boy bed when the boy got home. He was glad, for

6*1 SOUNDER 165

 they would have asked a lot of questions that her he heard some people singing in the jail.
might make his mother feel bad, questions “Sounder ain’t come home?” the boy said
like “Is everybody chained up in jail? How to his mother after he had talked about the
long do people stay in jail at one time?” jail. He had looked under the porch and
The boy’s mother did not ask hurtful ques- called before he came into the cabin.
tions. She asked if the boy got in all right and Now he went out, calling and looking
if it was warm in the jail. The boy told her around the whole cabin. He started to light
that the jailer was mean to visitors but that he the lanterns to look more, but his mother said
didn’t say nothing to the people in jail. He told “Eat your supper.”

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 197.

1. Who did the boy go to see at 5. The mood of the story is

the courthouse? 0 a. cheerful.
Oa. the judge O b. exciting.
O b. the visiting preacher Oc. sad.
O c. his father
6. The boy’s longing for a dog shows us
2. The most important thing he had wanted that he is
to ask his father was O a. greedy.
0 a. if he liked the cake his mother sent. Ob. lonely.
Ob. where he had found Sounder. Oc. demanding.
Oc. if he would be home for Christmas.
7. The boy wanted to watch where they
3. What was the boy hoping to find on the took his father in order to
road as he walked home? O a. make sure he didn’t escape.
O a. a stray pup O b. make sure he was all right.
Ob. money O c. find out where he went at night.
Oc. a lighted lantern
8. The fact that the boy did not want his
4. On the boy’s way home, the road was father to “be grieved” shows
O a. dark. DO a. his love for his father.
0 b. lonely. O b. his fear of the courthouse.
Oc. both a and b Oc. both a and b

166 6°1 SOUNDER

 MAZE
The following passage, taken from the selection you
have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 197.

A great part of the way home the Li: a. sky b. barns c. houses

boy walked in darkness. In the big d. fields — e. cars

he saw beautiful lights
1
and candles in the windows. Several times 2. a. dogs b. people —_c. boys
d. mailboxes e. cats
rushed to the front gates and
2
barked as he passed. But no stray pup came Bm’ of broken biblack c. free
to him along the lonely, empty stretches of d. happy e. lighted
road. At one big house the mailbox by the
road had a lantern hanging 4. a.brother __b. father c. mother
3 :
on it. The boy walked on the far side of ee
the road so he wouldn’t show in the light.
“People h ; Poe ‘ 5. a. word b. cake c. money
eople hangs em out when company is ARbomae carey
comin’ at night,” the boy’s father had once

ee 6. a.she b.they —c. noone

When court was over, they would take his d. he e. it
to a road camp or a quarry
4
or a state farm. Would his father send ae a. father b. dog c. boy
with the visiting preacher domothiet. © “<: Peas
where rehad gone? . . . If he lived closer to
the town, he could watch each day, and when
they took his father away in the wagons
where convicts were penned up in huge

wooden crates, could follow.

The younger aitiaren were already in bed

when the got home. He was
7
glad, for they would have asked a lot of

6°1 SOUNDER 167

 questions that might make his mother feel 8.a. answers b. questions _c. responses
d. headlines _ e. replies
bad, like “Is everybody
oe
chained up in jail? How long do people stay
in jail at one time?”

VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 197.

1. And he wasn’t going to let his father 5. “Wouldn’t do no good now,” the boy
know he was grieved. So his father murmured to himself.
wouldn’t be grieved. 0 a. shouted loudly
Oa. very sad Ob. said firmly
Ob. very angry Oc. spoke softly
Oc. very thrilled
. In the dark he thought of the bull-necked
. There were only a few people loafing man crumpled on the floor. . . .
around the courthouse wall, so the boy sat 0 a. sleeping soundly
for a spell. Ob. creeping around
Oa. reading newspapers Oc. in a twisted heap
O b. relaxing and doing nothing
Oc. waiting for someone . “If it’s still there when mornin’ comes, you
take it down the road and scold it and run
. He felt numb and tired. so it won’t foller you no more.”
Oa. proud O a. talk angrily at
O b. happy Ob. laugh at
Oc. stunned Oc. hide from

. But along the road on the way to jail, . In the big houses he saw beautiful
before the bull-necked man had ruined flickering lights and candles in the
everything. ... windows.
0 a. brought home O a. dying
Ob. spoiled Ob. many-colored
Oc. made possible O c. blinking

168 6*1 SOUNDER

 Snow Bound
Harry Mazer

ae Ns
c\s

AN

Reading Time Maze

Comprehension fsane Fstu Vocabulary

6°2 SNOWBOUND - 169

 Snow Bound by Harry Mazer tells the story of
two people struggling alone through a snowstorm.
In this episode near the beginning of the book,
one character goes looking for his lost dog. If
you are interested in reading more of this book,
ask for it at your school or public library.

W... Tony walked out on the bridge not sweet-talking your mother now. This is
the cold caught him by surprise. The wind me, Aunt Irene. You get to school, on-the-
was sharper here, whistling under the double. I’m going to call the principal’s office
abutments. “Here, boy,” he yelled. “Here, in fifteen minutes, and you better be there. So
Arthur.” The wind whipped the words from move, big boy!” She got into her car, rolling
his mouth. He went further, past the bridge to down the window to say, “You go to school,
the stores at the end of Bridge Street. A fine, Anthony, you hear me?”
thin snow was falling, etching every crack “Yes,” he said, following her as she backed
and crevice. Danny Belco, on his way to out to the street, but the moment she was
school, hailed Tony. He waved Danny on. He gone he went the opposite way. For the next
wasn’t going to school until he found his dog. hour he went over all the streets he’d covered
He crossed between the mattress shop and already, without finding a trace of the dog.
shoe store, over to Broadway, and back down He was really cold now, stamping his feet and
past the Broadway Garage, where he could blowing on his fingers. Stubbornly he refused
see his mother’s blue 1951 Plymouth on the to give up the search. The longer it went on,
lot. He crossed the street and asked Frank the angrier he became. They hadn’t even
Beach, the mechanic on duty, if he’d seen waked Tony to ask him if he knew some
his dog. Frank was working the pumps place for the dog. No, they’d simply kicked
outside, gassing up a green Dodge. “Nope,” the dumb mutt out into the night because
Frank shock his head. “Too cold to think he made a little noise and woke up the
about dogs.” landlords. As if Tony cared about the Bielics,
Tony crisscrossed the neighborhood— always worrying about their house. When
Summit, Townsend, Bridge—stopping to ask Mr. Bielic came upstairs to collect the rent
anyone he met if they’d seen a medium-sized on the first of the month, he would look at
brown dog. Twice he checked the ravine, the floors and the walls. A little crack in the
climbing down to the clubhouse, where the plaster and he had a fit. “Oh, ho, what’s this,
wind was really howling. He went home to Mrs. Laporte!” He’d stretch his lips and shake
warm up and use the bathroom; his Aunt his finger playfully, but he meant it. His
Irene’s black Olds was in the driveway. She precious house meant more to him than any-
saw him before he could get away. thing. More than a dog, for sure. And Tony’s
“What are you doing home? You’re father had fallen right in with him. Tony’s
supposed to be in school.” She peered at him blood boiled every time he thought about it.
suspiciously. Like her sister, his mother, she His dog out in the snow, just because he’d
had four of her own, except hers were all made a little noise! What right did they have?
boys, and she knew every trick in the book. It was his dog, nobody else’s. Hot rage swept
“You're playing hookey, aren’t you? Don’t over him. Rage at his parents. It was the dog,
give me that innocent look, Anthony. You’re but was more than the dog. He didn’t want to

170 6°2 SNOW BOUND

go home. He’d never go home. Once he let Frank take his mother’s set of keys from
himself go, thinking this way, there was no the grease-stained key board behind the
bottom to the feeling of betrayal. cash register.
He went back to the gas station. Frank was “Put them back when you're done,”
in the garage. “Is it cold!” Frank said. “Find Frank said.
your dog yet?” Tony shook his head. Tony pocketed the keys and walked
“Too bad.” Frank blew his nose in a red out to his mother’s car. He was too young
handkerchief. “Anyone who works on a day for a junior license, but ever since he’d been
like this has gotta be crazy. Right, kid?” old enough to reach the pedals, he’d been
“Is my mother’s car ready yet?” Tony driving cars around empty shopping centers
asked. “I thought I'd warm it up if it was and in the country around his Uncle
ready. Have you got the key?” He watched Leonard’s place.

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 197.

1. Tony was looking for 5. This story takes place during the
Oa. a job. 0 a. fall.
Ob. Danny Belco. Ob. spring.
O c. his dog. Oc. winter.

2. The first thing Tony noticed when he

walked out on the bridge was 6. Tony is very
O a. Arthur. O a. anxious to get to school.
O b. the cold. Ob. attached to his dog.
0 c. his mother. Oc. tired and confused.

3. Aunt Irene wanted to

0 a. get her car repaired. 7. Tony was
O b. find out why Tony wasn’t in school. O a. kicked out of the house.
O c. bring back his dog. O b. angry at his family.
Oc. angry at his dog.
4. Mr. Bielic worried about the floors and
ceilings because he
0 a. owned the house. 8. Frank never
OD b. was a professional carpenter. O a. repaired the 1951 Plymouth.
O c. did not want the landlord to see Ob. spoke to Tony.
the cracks. Oc. asked why Tony was not in school.

6°2 SNOW BOUND 171

 MAZE
The following passage, taken from the selection you ©
have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 197.

“Yes,” he said, following her as she backed if a. she b. he ezk

out to the street, but the moment she was Galney Tae

gone went the opposite way.

; I
For the next hour he went over all the streets 4 peek, READY : boaneys c mOsEY
d. without e. seldom
he’d covered already, finding
2
a trace of the dog. He was really cold now, 3. a. fingers baie peee
stamping his feet and blowing on his d. nose e. head
. Stubbornly he refused
3
to give up the search. The longer it went 4. a. waked b. asked c. known
on, the angrier he became. They hadn’t even d. wanted e. heard

Tony to ask him if he knew

4
5. a. puppy b. sleep c. noise
some place for the dog. No, they’d simply ben Ager
kicked the dumb mutt out into the night
because he made a little and
5 6. a. forget b. earn c. find
woke up the landlords. As if Tony cared d. pay e. collect
about the Bielics, always worrying about their
house. When Mr. Bielic came upstairs to i a. house b. wall c. cat
the rent on the first of the d. dog e. horse

erie would look at the floors and the

walls. A little crack in the plaster and he had

a fit. “Oh, ho, what’s this, Mrs. Laporte!”

He’d stretch his lips and shake his finger

playfully, but he meant it. His precious house
meant more to him than anything. More than
a , for sure. And Tony’s
7
father had fallen right in with him. Tony’s

172 6*2 SNOW BOUND

blood boiled every time he thought about 8. a. dump b. kennel c. garbage
it. His dog out in the , just d.rain — e. snow
8
because he’d made a little noise! What right
did they have?

VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 197.

1. The wind was sharper here, whistling 5. “What are you doing home? You're
under the abutments. supposed to be in school.” She peered
O a. warmer at him suspiciously.
0 b. quieter Oa. asked suddenly
O c. colder Ob. looked closely
O c. smiled brightly
. A fine, thin snow was falling, etching
every crack and crevice. .... Mr. Bielic came upstairs to collect the
D a. slab rent on the first of the month... .
O b. leaf O a. pick up
Oc. slit O b. return
Oc. steal
. Danny Belco, on his way to school, hailed
Tony. He waved Danny on. . Hot rage swept over him. Rage at
O a. ignored his parents.
DO b. called Oa. anger
Oc. tackled O b. sickness
Oc. happiness
. Tony crisscrossed the neighborhood—
Summit, Townsend, Bridge—stopping to . Once he let himself go, thinking this
ask anyone he met if they’d seen a way, there was no bottom to the feeling
medium-sized brown dog. of betrayal.
D a. traveled back and forth Oa. envy
O b. lost himself Ob. love
Oc. avoided Oc. desertion

6°2 SNOW BOUND 173

 6°3

Devices Detect Mines in Persian Gulf

Linda J. Reichlin

Maze

Comprehension
pa | {ee
174 6¢*3 DEVICES DETECT MINES IN PERSIAN GULF
 This article from Current Science magazine
describes some of the special mine-detecting
techniques which are being used in the Persian
Gulf. If you are interested in learning more
about new developments in science, ask your
school or public librarian to help you.

i.August, 1987, a Kuwaiti oil supertanker Some mines may be anchored to a soluble
flying an American flag hit a mine in the plug in deeper water. When seawater dis-
Persian Gulf. The explosion ripped a hole in solves the plug, the mine attached to the plug
the hull of the tanker, forcing it to return to pops to the surface.
port. By the end of the month, more mines The speed at which the plug dissolves
had damaged several ships and had killed depends upon the material in the plug. Some
several sailors. plugs dissolve in a few minutes; others in a
The mines had been planted by Iran few months. These mines are a constant
to slow the shipping of oil in the Gulf. threat to ships because they may rise to the
When Iran threatened to “sow mines in the surface in water that had looked clear and
Gulf like seeds,” the United States, Great safe just a few moments earlier.
Britain, and France sent naval ships and To spot the mines, many minesweeping
planes. The ships and planes were equipped ships and planes use sonar devices. Sonar
with devices that would help locate and devices may be located beneath a ship’s hull
detonate the mines. The devices ranged from or on sonar buoys that are dragged through
unmanned submersibles to sonar buoys that the water by helicopters.
located mines by bouncing sound waves off A sonar device works by sending out
the mines. pulses of sound waves. When the sound
The mines planted by Iran either floated on waves strike an object such as a mine, the
the surface or were anchored to the floor of sound waves are reflected. The time that it
the Gulf by cables or by weights. The most takes for the sound waves to go out and
common mine is called a contact mine. A return indicates the object’s distance from the
contact mine explodes when it comes in sonar device.
contact with a solid object such as the hull of Since sound travels through water at
a ship. A contact mine may have long spikes about 5,000 feet per second, a sound wave
that contain glass vials filled with acid. When returning after two seconds has traveled
a ship collides with one of these mines, the 10,000 feet. The object is then 5,000 feet
spikes are bent, breaking the glass vials. The away, since it took one second for the sound
acid that is released flows into a battery, waves to reach it and one second for the
producing an electric current. The current sound to return.
sets off the explosives in the mine. When the sound waves return, they are
Another type of mine used in the Gulf was changed to pulses of light on a screen. The
triggered by changes in water pressure. This sonar picture may show the location of mines,
mine is planted in shallow water. When a other ships, and the floor of the Gulf. Once a
ship passes by, the water displaced by the ship mine is located, it can be defused by a diver.
produces a change in water pressure that To detect mines anchored to the bottom
detonates the mine. by cables, ships and helicopters tow long,

6°3 DEVICES DETECT MINES IN PERSIAN GULF 175

 serrated (saw-toothed) cables. As a serrated leaves the area, the explosive is detonated,
cable is dragged past a mine, the cable at- destroying the mine.
tached to the mine is cut. The mine floats to The newest British minesweepers have hulls
the surface, where it can be safely detonated made of plastic reinforced with glass. When a
by gunfire or it can be defused. Some of the ship with a metallic hull moves through the
serrated cables contain explosive cutters, or water, a magnetic field is produced. Such a
charges. The explosive charges either magnetic field can set off a type of mine that
detonate a mine or sever it from its cable so is sensitive to magnetism. However, a hull
that it floats to the surface for disposal. made of plastic reinforced with glass produces
French minesweepers in the Persian Gulf a magnetic field that is too weak to trigger a
used unmanned robot submersibles that can mine. Instead, the mine is detonated by a
be sent down to mines on the Gulf bottom. magnetic device towed behind the British
The submersibles leave an explosive device minesweeper. The detonation occurs after the
next to the mine. After a minesweeper minesweeper is safely out of range.

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that —
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 197.

1. The mines in the Persian Gulf 4. Sonar works by

were planted by Oa. sending out pulses of sound waves.
Oa. France. O b. listening for sound waves from
O b. Iran. other objects.
Oc. Great Britain. Oc. striking objects to produce
sound waves.
2. Mines were planted there to
OD a. slow the importation 5. The United States, Great Britain, and
of oil. France are
Ob. protest the sale of oil. O a. enemies.
Oc. slow the shipment of oil. O b. working together.
O c. planting mines.
3. Some mines have acid in them
that will 6. Sonar is especially useful
0 a. keep divers away. Oa. in cloudy water.
QO b. dissolve holes in ships. O b. during night maneuvers.
Oc. produce an electrical current. Oc. in dangerous situations.

176 6*°3 DEVICES DETECT MINES IN PERSIAN GULF

7. Several countries use minesweepers 8. Iran uses several kinds of mines because
because they O a. it is harder to detect and
O a. want to keep ships moving remove them.
through the Gulf. Ob. different mines are used for
Ob. want to receive more press coverage. different kinds of ships.
Oc. were hired to look for mines by the Oc. Iran’s allies manufacture many
oil companies. kinds of mines.

The following passage, taken from the selection you

have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 197.

In August, 1987, a Kuwaiti oil supertanker 1. a. patched b. ripped c. filled

flying an American flag hit a mine in the oe ee eee

Persian Gulf. The explosion

a hole in the hull of the tanker, ORinE it to aot ah sae eg m a ners
return to port. By the end of the month, more

age ee a BS aE Several SUDS 3. a.Gulf — b. summer c. water

and had killed several sailors. d. country e. meanwhile

The mines had been planted by Iran

to slow the shipping of oil in the 4. a. mines b. sailors c. oil
. When Iran threatened to aeeaiey” <~explanes
“SOW ae in the Gulf like seeds,” the

United States, Great Britain, and France sent

naval ships and . The ships

and planes were bse aywith devices
that would help locate and detonate the
mines. The devices ranged from un-
manned submersibles to sonar buoys that

6°3 DEVICES DETECT MINES IN PERSIAN GULF 177

 mines by bouncing sound 5. a. destroyed b. moved c. sunk
3 e. located
d. defused
waves off the mines.
The mines planted by
een et ee crer 6. a.France b.Great Britain c. Iran
either floated on the surface or were suiAcieenenp Gaertn
anchored to the floor of the Gulf by cables or
by weights. The most common mine is called a atpsiniees plea niodes anaapices
a contact mine. A contact mine d. clings e. sinks

—_$—_— when it comes in contact

with a solid object such as the hull of a ship. 8. a. electric b. ocean c. air
d. even e. unusual
A contact mine may have long spikes that
contain glass vials filled with acid. When a
ship collides with one of these mines, the

spikes are bent, breaking the glass vials. The

acid that is released flows into a battery,
producing an current. The
current sets off the explosives in the mine.

VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 197.

. The ships and planes were equipped with

—_ 2. A contact mine may have long
devices that would help locate and spikes that contain glass vials filled
detonate the mines. with acid.
D a. find O a. beads
0 b. explode Ob. tubes
Oc. release Oc. corks

178 6°3 DEVICES DETECT MINES IN PERSIAN GULF

3. When a ship collides with one of these 6. Once a mine is located, it can be defused
mines, the spikes are bent, breaking the by a diver.
glass vials. QO a. disconnected
DO a. joins 0 b. set off
Ob. follows Oc. studied
Oc. hits
7. The explosive charges either detonate a
. Some mines may be anchored to a soluble mine or sever it from its cable so that it
plug in deeper water. floats to the surface for disposal.
0 a. dissolvable O a. attach
0 b. removable Ob. cut
Oc. heavy O c. explode

. The time that it takes for the sound waves 8. The newest British minesweepers
to go out and return indicates the object’s have hulls made of plastic reinforced
distance from the sonar device. with glass.
O a. makes O a. made stronger
0 b. hears O b. divided
O c. shows O c. weakened

6°3 DEVICES DETECT MINES IN PERSIAN GULF 179

 In the Driver’s Seat

Reading Time Maze

Comprehension Vocabulary

180 6¢4 INTHE DRIVER'S SEAT

 This article tells you about all the things that a
race-car driver must know before he gets into
the cockpit. If you are interested in reading
more about racing and race cars, ask your
school or public librarian for help.

W.. would it be like to sit in the cock- and curves of varying shapes.
pit of a race car and drive along a course at Before the students are allowed to drive
150 miles per hour? the racecourse, they receive classroom
Dave Harris is a young man who was instruction in everything from how to take
eager to find out the answer to this question. a corner safely to how to recover from a
Although he’s interested in racing as a hobby dangerous skid or spin. The students must
rather than as a career, Dave realizes that it pass a written examination to demonstrate
takes more than desire and luck to drive a that they know the rules of safe competi-
successful auto race. A thorough knowledge tive driving.
of automotive mechanics, of the rules of Each student’s car must pass an inspection.
competitive driving, and of racing techniques An inspector signs a form certifying that
is necessary before a hopeful race-car driver Dave’s car has satisfactorily met the safety
can climb behind the wheel. requirements.
To attain this specialized knowledge, The students then walk around the course
Dave attended classes for one weekend at a while an instructor points out rough spots on
training school for amateur race-car drivers. its surface and unexpected sharp curves.
In the weeks before, Dave spends hours Dave and the other students put on their
preparing his car—a “Formula Vee” (so- safety helmets, fasten their seat belts, and line
called because it has a Volkswagen engine). up to enter the racecourse. The students ex-
The engine must be in top running condi- periment to discover how they can gain the
tion; tires, brakes, and safety equipment must greatest possible control over their cars. They
be in order; the chassis must be in perfect learn when they should accelerate on the
alignment; and the car’s body must be free straightaways and slow down on the curves.
of defects. The student drivers must also keep a constant
Several of Dave’s friends have agreed to check on their cars’ instruments, noting the
serve as his “pit crew” at the training school. engine speed, the oil pressure and temperature,
They will work in the “pits,” an area along- the amount of fuel, and the water temperature.
side the racecourse where the cars are Each driver’s pit crew uses stopwatches
refueled, repaired, and inspected. Dave’s pit to determine how long it takes the driver to
crew gives the car a final inspection before complete one lap—that is, one trip around
it is loaded onto a trailer and towed to the the course. At the end of every lap, Dave’s
school on a Saturday morning. pit-crew members write his lap time in large
The school offers instruction in road numbers on a chalkboard. Then they hold
racing—a type of competition in which up the board so that Dave can see it as he
cars run on a course built like a winding drives past.
road. The course includes straightaways— The pit crews are not the only ones in com-
different lengths of straight road sections— munication with the drivers. Racing officials

6°4 IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT 181

 wave flags of different colors to signal concentration and good judgment necessary
information to the drivers. Since each driver for competitive driving. In addition, the
must concentrate so completely on his own practice laps give the instructors a chance to
position, it is up to these officials to alert the observe each student and to grade him on his
drivers to what is happening elsewhere on the performance behind the wheel.
course. Whenever a green flag is displayed, Late Sunday afternoon the students wait
the drivers know they have a clear course. If anxiously to hear who has successfully com-
a yellow flag is waved, the drivers are to slow pleted the training. At last, Dave hears the
down since this indicates trouble ahead. The news—he has passed with high grades and is
black-and-white checkered flag qualified to enter a race the following weekend.
is the one flag each driver is eager to spot Not every graduate of the school will go
first, since it signifies the end of the race on to become a racing champion. But each
and the winner. has come away with knowledge and skills
During the weekend the students have that will probably make him a better driver
several opportunities to drive the course. whether he’s in the driver’s seat of a race car
Practice laps help the students develop the or of a four-door sedan.

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 197.

1. Each car must pass an inspection in 4. After the practice laps, the
order to make sure it Oa. drivers take a written exam.
O a. is safe to drive. Ob. pit crew is allowed to race.
0 b. is legal to drive. O c. students’ performances are evaluated.
Oc. will qualify in the semifinals.
5. The students constantly check the gauges
in order to
2. A pit crew O a. increase their speed.
O a. repairs holes in the racecourse. Ob. help maintain their concentration.
Ob. makes sure the car is fueled and Oc. assure themselves that the car is
working correctly. operating properly.
Oc. drives the car in relay races.
6. The pit crew shows Dave his lap times
when he passes so that he
3. A yellow flag indicates that O a. won't run out of gas.
Oa. the driver is on the last lap. Ob. can check the clock in his car.
Ob. there is trouble ahead. Oc. will know how fast he is going
Oc. the race is over. each lap.

182 6°4 IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT

7. Dave devotes time to racing because he 8. Dave will probably be a better driver in
O a. wants to learn how to do it well. everyday situations because he will
O b. wants to become a professional race 0 a. know how to handle a car better.
car driver. OQ b. understand the gauges in his car.
Oc. has received a racing scholarship. Oc. be allowed to exceed the speed limit.

MAZE
The following passage, taken from the selection you
have just read, has words omitted from it. Fill in each
blank using a word from the set of five words in the
column to the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 197.

Dave and the other students put on their ke a. leave b. find C. CTOSS
d. enter e. prove
safety helmets, fasten their seat belts, and line

up to the racecourse. The

1
Dis a. least b. once c. last
students experiment to discover how they can
d. greatest e. easiest
gain the possible control over
2
their cars. They learn when they should accel-
3. a. winning b. losing c. student
erate on the straightaways and slow down on d. professional e. eager
the curves. The drivers must

also keep a constant eek on their cars’ 4. a.amount b. temperature c. weight

d. height e. length
instruments, noting the engine speed, the oil
pressure and temperature, the
5. a. calculators b. guesses _ c. estimates
of fuel, and the water temperature.
d. chalk e. stopwatches
Each driver’s pit crew uses
to determine how long it takes the driver to
6. a. park b. course c. world
complete one lap—that is, one trip around the d. state e. house

. At the end of every lap,

Dave’s nite members write his lap time in We a. car b. post c. tire
d. notepad e. chalkboard
large numbers on a : . Then
they hold up the board so that Dave can see it

as he drives past.

6°4 IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT 183

 The pit crews are not the only ones in 8. a.time b. communication c. trouble
d. competition e. school
with the drivers. Racing
N
officials wave flags of different colors to
signal information to the drivers.

VOCABULARY
Look at the word in boldface ineach exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 197.

. Dave Harris is a young man who was 5. The students must pass a written
eager to find out the answer to this examination to demonstrate that
question. they know the rules of safe competitive
a. excited driving.
b. forced D a. protest
es c. thinking Ob. show
Oc. ask
. A thorough knowledge of automotive
a)

mechanics, of the rules of competitive . An inspector signs a form certifying

driving, and of racing techniques is that Dave’s car has satisfactorily met the
necessary. . . . safety requirements.
a. partial 0 a. denying
b. complete Ob. pretending
c. final
tists
Co Oc. agreeing

3.+4 Dave attended classes for one weekend at . They learn when they should accelerate
a training school for amateur race-car on the straightaways and slow down
drivers. on the curves.
a. professional O a. stop
b. inexperienced O b. slow down
c. talented
Fw Oc. speed up

. The engine must be in top running . During the weekend the students
condition; tires, brakes, and safety have several opportunities to drive
equipment must be in order. the course.
a. speed O a. chances
0 b. model Ob. race cars
O c. problems
 6°5

Island of the Blue Dolphins

Scott O’Dell

Reading Time Maze

Comprehension Pai saa Vocabulary

6°5 ISLAND OFTHE BLUEDOLPHINS 185

 Island of the Blue Dolphins, a novel by Scott
O'Dell, tells about the life of a native American
girl who is accidentallyleft behind after her
people migrate from one island to another. If
you are interested in reading more of this
book, ask for it at your school or local library.

Sic with arrows, but not the leader, and they did
the Blue Dolphins. The sun is warm then and not come again.
the winds blow milder out of the west, On the sixth day, when the storm had
sometimes out of the south. ended, I went to the place where the canoes
Tt was during these days that the ship might had been hidden, and let myself down over
return and now I spent most of my time on the cliff. This part of the shore was sheltered
the rock, looking out from the high headland from the wind and I found the canoes just as
into the east, toward the country where my they had been left. The dried food was still
people had gone, across the sea that was good, but the water was stale, so I went back
never-ending. to the spring and filled a fresh basket.
Once while I watched I saw a small object I had decided during the days of the storm,
which I took to be the ship, but a stream of when I had given up hope of seeing the ship,
water rose from it and I knew that it was a that I would take one of the canoes and go to
whale spouting. During those summer days the country that lay toward the east. I remem-
I saw nothing else. bered how Kimki, before he had gone, had
The first storm of winter ended my hopes. asked the advice of his ancestors who had
If the white men’s ship were coming for me it lived many ages in the past, who had come to
would have come during the time of good the island from that country, and likewise the
weather. Now I would have to wait until advice of Zuma, the medicine man who held
winter was gone, maybe longer. power over the wind and the seas. But these
The thought of being alone on the island things I could not do, for Zuma had been
while so many suns rose from the sea and killed by the Aleuts, and in all my life I had
went slowly back into the sea filled my heart never been able to speak with the dead.
with loneliness. I had not felt so lonely before I cannot say that I was really afraid as I
because I was sure that the ship would return stood there on the shore. I knew that my
as Matasaip had said it would. Now my ancestors had crossed the sea in their canoes,
hopes were dead. Now | was really alone. I coming from that place which lay beyond.
could not eat much, nor could I sleep without Kimki, too, had crossed the sea. I was not
dreaming terrible dreams. nearly so skilled with a canoe as these men,
The storm blew out of the north, sending but I must say that whatever might befall me
big waves against the island and winds so on the endless waters did not trouble me. It
strong that I was unable to stay on the rock. meant far less than the thought of staying on
I moved my bed to the foot of the rock and the island alone, without a home or
for protection kept a fire going throughout companions, pursued by wild dogs, where
the night. I slept there five times. The first everything reminded me of those who were
night the dogs came and stood outside the dead and those who had gone away.
ring made by the fire. I killed three of them Of the four canoes stored there against the

186 6*5 ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS

cliff, I chose the smallest, which was still path laid down long strips of kelp, making
very heavy because it could carry six people. a slippery bed. The shore was steep and once
The task that faced me was to push it down I got the canoe to move with its own weight,
the rocky shore and into the water, a distance it slid down the path and into the water.
four or five times its length. The sun was in the west when I left the
This I did by first removing all the large shore. The sea was calm behind the high
rocks in front of the canoe. I then filled in cliffs. Using the two-bladed paddle I quickly
all these holes with pebbles and along this skirted the south part of the island.

COMPREHENSION
Read the following questions and statements. For each
one, put an x in the box before the option that
contains the most complete or accurate answer. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 197.

1. During the summer, the winds on the 5. More than anything else the girl
island blow hoped to see
D a. harder. 0 a. her mother.
0 b. milder. Ob. her tribe.
QO c. colder. O c. a ship.

2. While the girl watched the ocean, 6. The girl had bad dreams because
she saw she was
0 a. schools of dolphins. 0 a. very young.
Ob. a ship. Ob. lonely.
0 c. a whale. Oc. afraid.

3. Zuma was a 7. The girl decided to row a canoe to

0 a. chief of the tribe. the east to
O b. close friend of the girl. O a. find her people.
0 c. medicine man. Ob. trade for food.
O c. find fresh water.
4. When the dogs approached the girl’s
camp, she 8. Choose the word that best describes
D a. killed three of them with arrows. the girl.
O b. killed only the leader. Oa. angry
O c. threw stones at them to chase Ob. unsure
them away. Oc. determined

6°5 ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS 187

 The following passage. taken from the selection you —
have just read, has werds omitted from it. Fill im each
blank using 2 word from the st of five words im the
cohumn te the right of the passage. Check your
answers using the Answer Key on page 197.

The first storm of winter ended my hopes. L. 2. colored b. country c. men’s

é& sailing e. sunken
Ifthe white ship were
coming for me it would have come dunng
a. coming b. there c. here
the time of good weather. Now I would have
d cold e. gone
to wait until winter was
maybe longer.
tad @ sums b. fish c. ships
The thought of being alone on the iviand d@. storms e. dreams

while © many : rose from the

cenand went Slowly berk into theseafilled a. happy b. lonely c. thrilled
d. tired e. bored
my heart with loneliness
I had not felt so
before because I was sure
AN
that ian he woukd return as Matasaip had
said it woukd, Now : hopes
were dead. Now I was masa alone. I coukd

not eat much, nor could I skeep without

dreaming ternble dreams.
The blew out of the north,
sending big ant against the island and
winds so strong that I was unable to Stay on
a
the rock. I moved my bed to the foot of the
. and for protection Kept a fire
going throughout the night. | Slept there five
tumes. The first night the dogs came and
stood outade
the ning madeby the fire. 1

—_,-— three of them with arrows,

but not the kader, and they did not come again.

188 G*S SLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS

 | VOCABULARY |
Look at the word in boldface in each exercise below
and read carefully the sentence with it. Put an x
in the box before the best meaning or synonym
for the word as it is used in the sentence. Check
your answers using the Answer Key on page 197.

. The sun is warm then and the winds blow 5... . but I must say that whatever might
milder out of the west... . befall me on the endless waters did not
0 a. gentler trouble me.
Ob. stormier Oa. come to
Oc. cooler Ob. pass by
Oc. happen to
. I saw a small object which I took to be the
ship, but a stream of water rose from it . It meant far less than the thought of stay-
and I knew that it was a whale spouting. ing on the island alone, without a home or
O a. swimming companions, pursued by wild dogs. . . .
O b. calling QO a. befriended
Oc. spraying Ob. called
Oc. chased
. [remembered how Kimki, before he had
gone, had asked the advice of his . The task that faced me was to push it
ancestors who had lived many ages in the down the rocky shore and into the
Pastec 2 water. ...
O a. months Oa. job
0 b. years Ob. threat
Oc. times Oc. fun

. | was not nearly so skilled with a canoe as . Using the two-bladed paddle, I quickly
these men... . skirted the south part of the island.
0 a. quick 0 a. sped toward
0 b. clumsy O b. went around
O c. well-trained Oc. traveled across

6°5 ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS 189

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 Answer Key

Set 1

1°1 The Black Cauldron

COMPREHENSION MAZE VOCABULARY
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1°2 Creatures from UFOs

COMPREHENSION MAZE VOCABULARY
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1°3 To Build a Fire

COMPREHENSION MAZE . VOCABULARY
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1°4 Coping with An Aggressive Dog

COMPREHENSION MAZE VOCABULARY
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1°5 The Martial Arts

COMPREHENSION MAZE VOCABULARY
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192 ANSWER KEY

Set 2
2°1 The Little Giant of Juggling
COMPREHENSION MAZE VOCABULARY
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2b 6.b 2eC PAX 6.a
3.a Tae 3.a 3.a 7.b
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2¢2 Thirteen Ways to Sink a Sub

COMPREHENSION MAZE VOCABULARY
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2°3 She Wanted to Read

COMPREHENSION MAZE VOCABULARY
1.b 5.a 1.d l.b 5.b
2.b 6.b 2AC 2.a 6.c
3.b 2d ote 3.b 7.b
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2°4 Just the Beginning

COMPREHENSION MAZE VOCABULARY
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2°5 Bats Incredible!

COMPREHENSION MAZE VOCABULARY
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ANSWER KEY 193

 Set 3
3°1 The Twenty-One Balloons .
COMPREHENSION MAZE VOCABULARY
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3°2 Planes in Space

COMPREHENSION MAZE VOCABULARY
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3°3 A Summer to Die

COMPREHENSION MAZE VOCABULARY
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3°4 You Kids Are All Alike

COMPREHENSION MAZE VOCABULARY
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3°5 The Phantom Tollbooth

COMPREHENSION MAZE VOCABULARY
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194 ANSWER KEY

Set 4
4°1 How to Be Somebody
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42 The Cat Ate My Gymsuit

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4°3 Rescued Whales

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4°4 Home Safe Home

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4°5 Skin: The Bag You Live In

COMPREHENSION MAZE VOCABULARY
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ANSWER KEY 195

 Set 5
5°1 Seward’s Warning
COMPREHENSION MAZE VOCABULARY
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5e2 America’s Women

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53 | Am the Cheese
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5°4 Hang Gliding

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5°5 A Long Way to Whiskey Creek

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196 ANSWER KEY

Set 6
6°1 Sounder
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6°2 Snow Bound

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6°3 Devices Detect Mines in Persian Gulf

COMPREHENSION MAZE VOCABULARY
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6°4 In the Driver's Seat

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6°5 Island of the Blue Dolphins

COMPREHENSION MAZE VOCABULARY
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ANSWER KEY 197

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Reading Time Words per Minute Reading Time Words per Minute

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SCL Rg ee ee ee eee ee 214 TEL Ol 5 taeda ate ieee tears, cae ae ee 105

SEC ee ee ae peter has, Uae cuietielss aia 205 501 | nee eM ee MCMNE Trea uireein 5 on Se: 102

5.05) REN hr a ee ne en cee 196 MESO) Sans ie saeee oo nee ee 100

(SU) AS oe en ee 188 TAD scamtiouan re eunsiane eee Meee Cee ane 98

BN nee Cen Cinre nda pasts nape esebon 180 TSO Ret tei vce:SATE ARs haar srargen ere eee ee 96

ROA | pit co CTA meas ae ee 173 SOO cuss th ateachn ene gees Oo eeonme ns 94

AI ata ts Wir een a ae eee enone 167

WORDS PER MINUTE 201

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Progress Graphs
 Reading Speed
Directions. Use the graph below to show your reading speed improvement.
First, along the top of the graph, find the number of the story you just read. Notice the line
going down to the bottom of the graph under that number. Second, along the left
side of the graph, find your reading time. Notice the line going across the graph from your reading
time to your number of words per minute. Put an x where the two lines cross.
As you enter x’s for other stories, connect them with a line. This will help you see right away if
your reading speed is going up as it should be. If the line connecting the x’s is not going up, see
your teacher for advice.

TIME SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5 SET 6 WPM

1:00 PCY aye) I ee eee Ui eat See pe ae Ng ee ey le eo) 750

a
1-20 SS ege Wee oe 647
564

ca oe Hf 500
Peewee bate poe 452
oe eens eee eee 410
375

.
2:00
RGM rie Sete aed rere lesa Hi
ve Mec seh a dee ay
;2:30 Rese Pa alae ob 300

oe Fi a i GO ss
Ory lo epi aewie i dea ie
se ee ae ee eal eae i
a jee RNS See es
395
220) SSS

Se eet hlshasta edie oc ee RE

Roe Es CR ae WS a sa a i
ee ear 9 a a a a aa ea 3
(en eea aed
en
4 4:20
Ma euler | a ‘= i
30 2
ee &

ae i)
3 4:30
= 440 maegual | ee ES
=
w 4:50
= 5:00 Me siwe eye
PAL Peay. ayes tee aieaiee| a
ss
Oo 5:10
B 520 ie ene
ie it heol oat +1136
i 5:40 pe

5:50 (MRRw is, ae

Gen
6:00
6:10 ie bats bh
ae
6:30
(ate we) Ae
6:40++-——4

aa
7:00 +———+ eae
i 0
a
7104 a aaa aie
7:20-4——+

750 hl ne Pea a 98
e

oS lene: eae 9
R510)
A nw

204 ~=READING SPEED GRAPH

 Comprehension
Directions. Use the graph below to show your comprehension scores.
First, along the top of the graph, find the number of the story you have just read. Notice the
line going down to the bottom of the graph under that number. Second, along the left side of the
graph, find the number which shows how many questions you got right. Notice the line going
across the graph from your number correct to your percent score. Put an x where the two lines
cross.
As you plot more comprehension scores, connect the x’s with a line. The line will help you see
right away if your scores are going up or down. If your comprehension scores are below 75%, or
if they are going down, see your teacher. Try to keep your scores at 75% or above while you
keep building your reading speed.

SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 ) ET 5 SET6

re limes eR FR Mi, = ee, = a A eS i Sc

88%

75%

63%

oo
Nn 50% LNSADYSd
3YOOS
CORRECT
NUMBER

38%

25%

13%

COMPREHENSION GRAPH 205

 Maze
Directions. Use the graph below to show your scores on the maze tests.
First, along the top of the graph, find the number of the story you have just read. Notice the
line going down to the bottom of the graph under that number. Second, along the left side of the
graph, find the number which shows how many questions you got right. Notice the line going
across the graph from that number to your percent score. Put an x where the two lines cross.
As you plot your scores on the rest of the maze tests, connect the x’s with a line. The line will
help you see right away if your scores are going up or down. If your scores are below 50%, or if
they are going down, see your teacher. Try to keep your scores at 50% or above as you continue
to build your reading speed.

SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5 SET6

gg 3 4S 2 3 4 he Se 2 8 4 2 eS 100%

88%

75%

63%

NUMBER
CORRECT
oS
WN 50% 3YOOS
LNADWsd

38%

25%

13%

206 MAZE GRAPH

 Vocabulary
Directions. Use the graph below to show your vocabulary scores.
First, along the top of the graph, find the number of the story you have just read. Notice the
line going down to the bottom of the graph under that number. Second, along the left side of the
graph, find the number which shows how many vocabulary questions you got right. Notice the
line going across the graph from that number to your percent score. Put an x where the two lines
Cross.
As you plot more vocabulary scores, connect the x’s with a line. The line will help you see
right away if your scores are going up or down. If your vocabulary scores are not going up, see
your teacher for advice. Vocabulary scores of 75% are good, but try to earn scores of 88% and
100% when you can.

SET 1 SET2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5 SET6

glee ges ou Abe ee Assouelere rs 4-5 11 2037 4 Si P28 oe a eae Oe 0%

88%

15%

[Hl 63%

HII 50% LNADYad

3YuOOS
aS
CORRECT
NUMBER

38%

25%

HATH 13%

VOCABULARY GRAPH 207

 Picture Credits

Every effort has been made to trace the ACHIEVEMENT by Ira E. Aaron et al.
ownership of all copyrighted materials in this Copyright © 1975, by Scott, Foresman and
book to obtain permission for their use. Company. Reprinted by permission.

1-1 The Black Cauldron: Illustration by Evaline The Phantom Tollbooth: Illustration by
Ness, from THE BLACK CAULDRON by Jules Feiffer, from The Phantom Tollbooth
Lloyd Alexander by Norton Juster, copyright 1961 by
Random House, Inc.
Creatures from UFOs: UPI/BETTMANN
NEWSPHOTOS How to Be Somebody: Illustration by
Rich Bishop
To Build a Fire: Reprinted with permission
from Creative Education, Inc., P.O. Box The Cat Ate My Gymsuit: Illustration from
227, Mankato, MN 56002 THE CAT ATE MY GYMSUIT by Paula
Danziger, Copyright © 1974
Coping With an Aggressive Dog: Mary E.
Rescued Whales: S. Leatherwood/Photo Edit
Messenger

The Martial Arts: © 1988 Tony Freeman/ Home Safe Home: Original cross-stitch by
Photo Edit Minette Smith
Skin: The Bag You Live In: From BLOOD
The Little Giant of Juggling: © 1982 Roger
AND GUTS: A WORKING GUIDE TO YOUR
Dollarhide
OWN INSIDES by Linda Allison. Copyright
Thirteen Ways to Sink a Sub: © Lothrop, © 1976 by The Yolla Bolly Press. By:
Lee & Shepard Books (A Division of permission of Little, Brown and Company.
William Morrow and Company, Inc.) Seward’s Warning: AP/WIDE WORLD
PHOTOS
2-3 She Wanted to Read: AP/WIDE WORLD
PHOTOS America’s Women: CULVER PICTURES
2-4 Just the Beginning: From Just the Beginning 5-3 I Am the Cheese: Illustration from I AM
by Betty Miles, copyright 1976 by Alfred THE CHEESE by Robert Cormier, copyright
A. Knopf, Inc. © 1977

Bats Incredible! Gary Milburn/TOM STACK 5-4 Hang Gliding: © Bettina Gray
& ASSOCIATES
5-5 A Long Way to Whiskey Creek: © Morrow
3-1 Twenty-One Balloons: Jacket illustration Junior Books (A Division of William
from TWENTY-ONE BALLOONS by Morrow and Company, Inc.)
William Péne du Bois. Copyright 1947
by William Peéne du Bois. All rights Sounder: Courtesy of the Academy of
reserved. Reprinted by permission of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Viking Penguin, Inc. Snow Bound: Illustration from SNOW
BOUND by Harry Mazer, copyright © 1973
3-2 Planes in Space: Photo courtesy William D.
Siuru, Jr., Ph.D., PE. Devices Detect Mines in Persian Gulf: AP/
WIDE WORLD PHOTOS
3-3 A Summer to Die: Illustration by Jenni
Oliver from A SUMMER TO DIE by Lois 6-4 In the Driver’s Seat: Pat Watson
Lowry. Copyright © 1977 by Lois Lowry.
Reproduced by permission of Houghton 6-5 Island of the Blue Dolphins: Illustration by
Mifflin Company. Evaline Ness from ISLAND OF THE BLUE
DOLPHINS by Scott O’Dell. Copyright
3-4 You Kids Are All Alike: From “You Kids © 1960 by Scott O’Dell. Reproduced by
Are All Alike” from SIGNPOSTS TO permission of Houghton Mifflin Company.
READING DRILLS, INTRODUCTORY LEVEL
READING DRILLS, INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
READING DRILLS, ADVANCED LEVEL

ISBN 0-89061-53e2-c

Levels F-H
Catalog Number 842 | |
ii
ISBN 0-89061-532-2 9°780890'615324

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