Mr. Stiles Intervention Class Week 2 Worksheet Wonder Monday-John

Mr. Stiles Intervention Class Week 2 Worksheet Wonder

Monday-John Brown’s Antislavery Raid

Tuesday-Remembering a Forgotten U.S. President

Wednesday-The Hoover Dam

Thursday-It’s Opening Day

Friday-World War I: The Sinking of the Lusitania and Submarine Warfare John Brown's Antislavery Raid

John Brown's Antislavery Raid by ReadWorks

Slavery in the United States of America started in British North America during the early colonial days of European settlement on the continent. By 1800, a few northern states had abolished (gotten rid of) slavery. Abolitionism continued to spread throughout the North in the decades that followed. At the same time, southern states saw a rapid expansion of the cotton industry by using slaves as unpaid labor on cotton plantations. By 1860, there were 15 slave states in the South. Four hundred thousand families in these states had slaves in their households. Southern states were threatening to leave the United States in order to protect their growing cotton industry and retain the ability to have slaves.

John Brown was an American abolitionist who had an extreme take on opposing slavery. He believed the only way to end slavery was through armed fighting. In 1846, Brown and his business partner Simon Perkins moved to the city of Springfield, Massachusetts. The city was considered to be ideologically progressive. The Springfield community, including most portrait of John Brown churches, politicians, and wealthy businessmen, was involved in the antislavery movement. John Brown was a parishioner at the Sanford Street Free Church from 1846 until he left Springfield in 1850. The church was one of the United States' most prominent opponents of slavery and featured many abolitionists in its services to lecture against the evils of slavery, including Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass.

While in Springfield, John Brown became deeply involved in helping transform the city into a safe and significant stop on the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was a secret network of houses and routes used by slaves in the United States to escape north to the free states and Canada. It was run with the help of abolitionists and allies, who were both black and white. It is thought that more than 30,000 slaves escaped through the Underground Railroad.

Right before Brown left Springfield, the United States Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. The law mandated that authorities in free states aid in the return of escaped slaves to their Southern owners. The law also imposed penalties on those who helped slaves escape. John Brown founded a group in response to the new law called the League of Gileadites. They were dedicated to defying the new act by helping slaves pass through Springfield. From the founding of the group until the abolition of slavery, not one person was forced back into slavery from Springfield, Massachusetts.

England in November of 1856. He was back in Springfield to raise funds and gather forces for a planned raid on Harpers Ferry. Wealthy merchants financially supported Brown in his antislavery activities. Even though the group of supporters knew Brown would be using its funds to fight slavery, it is unclear how much of Brown's scheme the supporters were aware of.

In the early months of 1859, Brown rented the Kennedy Farmhouse with a small cabin nearby, four miles north of Harpers Ferry in Maryland. There he gathered his arsenal of weapons-rifles, ammunition, and pikes (a pole weapon, with a spear on the end)-and began training his volunteer army. The plan was to capture the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry and provide local slaves with stolen weapons. Brown believed that armed slaves would revolt against their masters and free more slaves as they spread rebellion through the surrounding areas; however, this was not to be.

On October 16, 1859, John Brown began the raid on Harpers Ferry. At first, the raid went well for him and his 21 men. Brown's men were able to cut the telegraph wire to prevent communication with the government. They also seized a passing train. However, the train was foolishly permitted to continue on. This was a mistake, as the conductor alerted authorities about the raid farther along on his route.

Brown's plan rested on the belief that local slaves would join in the rebellion, but this did not occur. Brown and his men seized the federal arsenal and armory, but without the support of local slaves, Brown was outnumbered. He was surrounded by the local militia and eventually captured by U.S. Marines.

Brown was taken to the courthouse in nearby Charlestown, West Virginia, for trial. He was found guilty of treason, murder, and slave insurrection and was hanged on December 2, 1859. Brown's fellow abolitionists, who mostly disapproved the use of violence, thought the raid was misguided; however, Brown became a martyr for the antislavery cause.

Name: ______Date: ______1. What was John Brown's opinion on abolitionism?

A. He believed ending slavery was best achieved through church support. B. He did not support or believe in the movement to end slavery. C. He believed ending slavery was only possible through armed fighting. D. He believed ending slavery was only possible through political discussion.

2. The passage sequences John Brown's raid Harpers Ferry. What happened after Brown's army let the train pass?

A. The train conductor notified the authorities of the raid. B. John Brown trained his volunteer army. C. John Brown began the raid on Harpers Ferry. D. John Brown rented the Kennedy Farmhouse.

3. The Sanford Street Free Church in Springfield was a strong supporter of abolitionism. What evidence from the passage best supports this conclusion?

A. "John Brown was a parishioner at the Sanford Street Free Church from 1846 until he left Springfield in 1850." B. "The city [of Springfield, Massachusetts] was considered to be ideologically progressive." C. "The Springfield community was involved in the antislavery movement." D. "The church featured many abolitionists in its services to lecture against the evils of slavery."

4. Read the following sentences: "The plan was to capture the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry and provide local slaves with stolen weapons. Brown believed that armed slaves would revolt against their masters and free more slaves as they spread rebellion through the surrounding areas; however, this was not to be."

Based on this, which of the following conclusions can be made?

A. Brown did not have a concrete plan for the raid. B. Brown had unrealistic expectations for the raid. C. Brown was able to hold the arsenal in the raid. D. Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry was supported by slaves.

A. John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry B. decisive battles in the U.S. Civil War C. how the issue of slavery divided the U.S. D. the history of Springfield, Massachusetts

6. Read the following sentences: "The issue of slavery began to divide the nation into free states and slave states. By the middle of the 19th century, the southern states were threatening to leave the United States in order to protect their growing cotton industry and retain the ability to have slaves."

What does the word "retain" mean?

A. release B. argue C. keep D. get

7. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence below.

______, John Brown's raid went well. Ultimately, it ended in failure and Brown's arrest.

A. Therefore B. Although C. Specifically D. Initially

8. What was the League of Gildeadites, and what did it do?

9. Why was the raid on Harpers Ferry unsuccessful?

10. Explain whether Brown helped the abolitionist cause throughout his lifetime.

Remembering a Forgotten U.S. President

George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were the first and third U.S. presidents. Monuments in Washington, D.C., honor both men. But do you know who the second president was?

If not, you're not alone. Many people don't know who the second president was. No monument has been built in the capital of the United States to honor him. And he is not pictured on a coin or a bill, as Washington and Jefferson are.

The second president was just as important, however. He was a patriot who helped the 13 British colonies win their independence from Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War.

His name is John Adams. Throughout his life, Adams was fearful that people would forget him. In 1760, Adams wrote that he would be "totally forgotten within 70 years."

A Congressional Honor

whitehouse.gov

John Adams

Efforts have been made to prove Adams wrong, however. A monument may be built in Washington, D.C., to honor him. In 2001, Congress passed a bill to build a monument that would honor John Adams and his son, John Quincy Adams. John Quincy Adams was the sixth U.S. president. The bill passed by Congress calls John Adams a leader of the American Revolution. However, there still aren't any specific plans in place because a location for the monument has yet to be agreed upon.

U.S. Rep. Tim Roemer, who supports the monument, said that the Adamses were a "historic, dazzling, brilliant family." After his presidency, some people called John Adams "the founder of the American republic."

Historian David McCullough, who wrote a book about John Adams, says that a monument should be built

ReadWorks.org Copyright © 2009 Weekly Reader Corporation. All rights reserved. Used by permission.Weekly Reader is a registered trademark of Weekly Reader Corporation. Remembering a Forgotten U.S. President to honor Adams. "There is no other American... with the exception of George Washington, who did more toward winning the Revolution and establishing [the United States'] form of government than John Adams," McCullough said.

A Historic Controversy

Not everyone has agreed that a monument should be built to honor John Adams and his family.

Many critics said that the National Mall, where a monument to Adams might be placed, is overcrowded with memorials and statues. Many national monuments are located on the Mall, a 2-mile-long strip of land that stretches from the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. Those critics argue that a new monument would spoil the Mall's beautiful views. In 2003, further construction along the Mall was banned.

Other critics believe a monument to John Adams should not be built. For instance, historian Richard Rosenfeld, says Adams does not deserve a memorial. He says Adams imprisoned some people simply because they disagreed with him.

Supporters of a monument to honor Adams, however, have little doubt that a monument should be built and placed on the Mall. Historian Edward Smith said, "There is no question Adams deserves a memorial and one on the Mall. There is always space there for someone like Adams."

What Did John Adams Do?

· Signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 · Helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris in 1783, ending the American Revolutionary War · Served as a U.S. ambassador to Great Britain · Became the first vice president of the United States, serving under George Washington · Became president in 1797

Name: ______Date: ______1. Who was John Adams?

A. the first president of the United States B. the second president of the United States C. the third president of the United States D. the sixteenth president of the United States

2. The passage presents two sides of an argument about building a monument for John Adams. Which of the following supports the building of a monument?

A. The National Mall is already overcrowded with memorials and statues. B. John Adams does not deserve a memorial because he imprisoned some people when they disagreed with him. C. A new monument would spoil the Mall's beautiful views. D. John Adams helped the British colonies win the American Revolutionary War and established the form of government of the United States.

3. Based on the passage, how would historian Richard Rosenfeld most likely describe John Adams?

A. kind B. cruel C. important D. jealous

4. Read the following sentence: "Monuments in Washington, D.C., honor both men."

As used in the passage, what does "honor" mean?

A. hide B. recognize C. forget D. share

A. arguments about what an Adams monument should look like B. arguments about whether or not John Adams had a son C. arguments about whether a monument for John Adams should be built D. arguments about whether or not Adams was actually the second president

6. According to the passage, what is one difference between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson?

7. Based on the passage, why does historian Edward Smith think that the Mall would be the best place for an Adams monument?

8. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

Historian Edward Smith thinks that Adams deserves a memorial on the Mall, ____ critics say that there are already too many memorials and statues.

A. after B. yet C. because D. so

The Hoover Dam by Michael Stahl

Hydropower is energy generated by a process that uses running or falling water. Mankind has used it for centuries. Around the globe during more primitive times, man used hydropower for irrigation of crops located miles around local water sources. Later, hydropower was used to energize mills that manufactured all sorts of things from paper to paint. These days, hydropower is looked to for the generation of electricity more than any other type of energy, so it is now often referred to as "hydroelectric power." Hydropower has both positive and negative effects. If one were to try and find a perfect example of what hydropower can do for society, both positive and negative, they would need to look no further than the border between the states of Nevada and Arizona in the United States of America. There, they would find one of the most iconic and recognizable structures in the entire country. There, they would find the Hoover Dam.

For decades, the people of the United States of America knew that the Colorado River would be a tremendously useful resource. The Colorado River was used to irrigate farmlands for miles, which brought thousands upon thousands of settlers to the Southwest region. At the turn of the twentieth century though, the government became aware of the many technological improvements being made in the world of hydropower. It had been used famously to power steamboats, but these new developments were making it easier for hydropower to be used to generate electricity. With the invention of the light bulb in 1879, it was just a matter of time before electricity, especially amounts generated by hydropower, would become incredibly important in people's day-to-day lives. It didn't take much time either! In Wisconsin, just three years after the light bulb was invented, the first hydroelectric plant opened, proving that the technology in the field of hydropower was being updated ReadWorks.org · © 2013 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved. The Hoover Dam rapidly. Therefore, by 1900, the United States felt that action should be taken in the Southwest in order to capitalize on the availability of these new advances, while improving life for both present and future settlers that were moving westward.

It took quite a while for the outlining of formal plans for a new dam in that area to be agreed upon. For almost thirty years, there were disagreements on where the dam should be built and how it should be built. However, during that time, the technology only improved. In a way then, the delays only helped create a more outstanding final product. Finally, in 1928, President Coolidge approved the building of what would become the Hoover Dam. More planning took place that spanned three additional years. It was decided that the dam would be 726 feet tall, 1200 feet wide at its crest, and 660 feet thick at its base. 6.6 million tons of concrete would be needed then for the 91.8 billion cubic-foot facing. Finally, in 1931 President Herbert Hoover, the man which the dam would eventually be named after, ordered that the work begin on the $40 million project, which, in 2013, would now cost in excess of $700 million.

Thirty-five miles north of the dam site in the state of Nevada was a small city called Las Vegas. Once word got out that the tremendous new dam would be built at the Nevada-Arizona border, tens of thousands unemployed workers who were suffering through some of the peak years of The Great Depression flocked to the nearby city and its population quadrupled almost instantly. Though the working conditions were extremely difficult due to high summer temperatures (sixteen people died in just one month from heat stroke), the new Las Vegas citizens were desperate to take any work they could get. Employment for the dam peaked at over 5,000 workers being paid at one time in 1934. By the time the Hoover Dam was completed two years later, 112 people had died during its construction, while many more fell ill from pneumonia caused by the working conditions over the course of the months and years to come. Some of those cases resulted in unfortunate fatalities as well. A memorial tribute to the workers who lost their lives rests on the dam site with the inscription: "They died to make the desert bloom." And bloom it did.

The Hoover Dam has many functions with one of them being irrigation. One million acres of land around the dam and the All-American Canal, which has water fed to it from the Hoover Dam, are irrigated because of the manmade colossus and the hydropower it produces. Irrigation is incredibly important to the survival of the species of man. One-third of all food in the world that is produced comes from irrigated lands. Obviously, the Hoover Dam is quite helpful in that regard.

The Hoover Dam not only provides water to crops, but also to people. Lake Mead is a nearby lake that is the largest reservoir in the United States. It's a manmade lake that, like the All-American Canal, gets its water from what is collected at the dam. Lake Mead has a surface area of 247 square miles and services eight million people with water in Arizona, Nevada, and California. Because so much water moves through the Hoover Dam and into the All-American Canal and Lake Mead, potential floods are also kept under control, making local areas much safer and less susceptible to flooding than in the days before the Hoover Dam.

Still, the biggest reason the Hoover Dam exists is its ability to provide electricity for people in the outlying areas. Each year, the dam generates an average of 4.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. A kilowatt-hour is the energy it takes for a kilowatt to work for one hour. This kind of power is potent enough for the roughly one million people who use electricity from the Hoover Dam to enjoy it. The Hoover Dam has been a key factor in the development of major American cities like Las Vegas and Los Angeles because of the availability of electricity it provides to those sections of the Southwestern states of the U.S. ReadWorks.org · © 2013 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved. The Hoover Dam

Safety to people in the surrounding areas and cleanliness are two of the main reasons why hydropower would be a favored source of energy over others. Once oil burns off after use, like in an automobile, toxic gases and contaminants are thrown into the air, polluting the atmosphere. Coal has a similar, dirty impact. Though nuclear power is also very clean, as well as cost-efficient, there are massive risks to people who live near nuclear power plants should something unfortunate occur at one. Atomic energy creates radiation, which is extremely hazardous if it is leaked into the environment. In general, nuclear power plant activity has not resulted in as many deaths as those associated with the generation of other types of power; however, there is a great risk that it could. Hydropower creates very few gaseous emissions. Safety at the Hoover Dam is a top priority as the workers there constantly inspect the dam for damage. There have been very few incidents since the dam opened nearly eighty years ago.

Even though there clearly are numerous advantages to the activation of the Hoover Dam and the work done at the site, there are a few environmental impacts that are harsh. Local ecosystems have declined as a result of water being used up by the Dam and its emptying into the Lake Mead reservoir. The water levels in the Colorado River have been reduced. Plant life then in the immediate area has suffered because the plants have difficulty growing roots long enough to find drinking water. Therefore, they have been sacrificed so that crops abroad could flourish. The dam has impacted the temperatures of the water in the Colorado River. Certain fish that can only survive in particular water temperatures have been almost completely wiped out, including four species of fish that have since been placed on the Endangered Species list. The turbines that draw in the water and use it to help transform energy also draw in fish that are killed from time to time as well. Scientists and engineers have been working to address these environmental issues for years. Progress has been made as they have invented "fish friendly" turbines that allow fish to pass through them unharmed.

There is widespread awareness of these problems, but, clearly, a majority of legislators agree that the benefits of the Hoover Dam greatly outweigh the negatives. The U.S. government has authorized extensions allowing the operations of The Hoover Dam to continue through at least the year 2067. The people of the Southwest region of the United States will be able to enjoy the benefits that the Hoover Dam provides them: food, water, and electricity. On top of all of that, the local economy will also benefit, due to tourism, with over ten million people taking in the boating and sun of Lake Mead and seven million people visiting the dam each year.

Name: ______Date: ______1. What is hydro-electric power?

A. a form of hydropower that is no longer used to generate electricity B. a form of hydropower that uses running water to generate electricity C. a form of hydropower that uses electricity to move water D. a form of hydropower that uses electricity to build dams

2. What does the author describe in the passage?

A. the history of the Hoover Dam and its impact on the Southwest region B. the development of different types of hydropower C. the political environment in America during the construction of the Hoover Dam D. improvements in irrigation along the Colorado River before the Hoover Dam was built

3. The Hoover Dam provides water to crops and people, keeps potential floods under control, and generates electricity for people in the outlying areas.

Based on this evidence, it can be concluded that the Hoover Dam

A. has had a negative impact on the environment of the Southwest region B. has had a negative impact on the people living in the Southwest region C. has had more than one positive impact on the Southwest region D. has had only one positive impact on the Southwest region

4. Based on the passage, the benefits of the Hoover Dam

A. are limited to humans B. are limited to the environment C. are decreasing over time as the dam becomes old D. are greater than the negative results of the dam

5. This passage is mostly about

A. the Hoover Dam and the impact hydropower can have on a region B. why different politicians are in favor of extending the operations of the Hoover Dam C. the advantages of using hydropower over other sources of energy D. the effects the Hoover Dam has had on the environment

"In Wisconsin, just three years after the light bulb was invented, the first hydroelectric plant opened, proving that the technology in the field of hydropower was being updated rapidly. Therefore, by 1900, the United States felt that action should be taken in the Southwest in order to capitalize on the availability of these new advances, while improving life for both present and future settlers that were moving westward."

What word or phrase could best replace capitalize on as used in this sentence?

A. take advantage of B. make money off of C. eliminate D. block from future use

7. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence below.

______there is widespread awareness of the Hoover Dam's negative environmental impacts, a majority of legislators agree that the dam's benefits outweigh these negative impacts.

A. Because B. When C. Although D. Instead of

8. Hydropower is a more favorable source of energy compared to other sources such as coal and nuclear power.

Support this statement by using evidence from the text.

9. List at least two positive effects and two negative effects of the Hoover Dam.

10. Explain whether the operations of the Hoover Dam should be extended. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

It's Opening Day by W.M. Akers

The weather was growing crisper. It was getting dark later, and Matthew had stopped wearing a coat to school. Spring was coming, but that didn't matter to him. What was really important was it was April. April meant baseball. April meant the end of the long, cold off-season. April meant opening day.

The local team was called the Crickets. It wasn't a very tough name for a baseball team, but that was okay. The Crickets weren't a Major League team, with a 50,000 seat stadium, expensive tickets, and big-name players. They were a minor league team, and that suited Matthew just fine. The stadium was small, the tickets were cheap, and the players weren't famous-at least not right now. Some were young players, only seven or eight years older than Matthew, with dreams of playing in the big leagues, and the talent to make it happen. Other players were older, their time in the big leagues finished, but they stuck around the Crickets because they weren't ready yet to let go of the game that had defined them ever since childhood.

And then there were players like Billie Carney, the shortstop. He had manned the space between second and third base for as long as Matthew could remember. Each year he was ReadWorks.org · © 2013 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved. It's Opening Day one of the two best players on the team, but he never did quite well enough to get called up to the majors. Each opening day, Matthew was shocked to see that Billie was still playing for the Crickets.

"Jeez, Dad!" he would say. "I can't believe Billie didn't get called up to the big leagues this year."

"You think he played pretty well last season?" his father would ask.

"Are you kidding?!" Matthew's face turned purple whenever anybody questioned Billie Carney. "He hit twenty-seven home runs! He had ninety-eight RBIs! He walked more than anybody else on the team!"

Matthew didn't need a baseball card to tell him Billie's statistics. He knew them by heart, from studying the sports page every morning at breakfast, to see how Billie and the other Crickets had played the night before. Over the winter, he committed all of their numbers to memory, and at night he would recite them to himself until he fell asleep.

"How was his fielding?" Matthew's father would ask, teasing him. "I bet he made a lot of errors."

"Dad-are you crazy? He moves like a spider out there. Nobody turns a double play faster than Billie. Nobody's better at tagging runners out. Last season, he didn't make an error for..." Matthew thought for a moment, doing the math in his head. "Forty-seven games!"

"That's not bad."

"Then how come he didn't get called up to the majors?"

"I don't know."

"It's not fair. He's better than most of the guys you see playing on TV."

"It's good news for us, right? Now we get to watch him play live for another season."

"I'm telling you, Dad. He's the best."

Matthew and his father had gone to see the Crickets play every opening day since Matthew was born. Their family celebrated a lot of holidays-Thanksgiving, Halloween, the Fourth of July, not to mention Matthew's and his sister's birthdays-but as far as he was concerned, opening day was the best one. It was usually on a weekday, and his dad always let him skip

"There are some things you can only learn in school," he told Matthew once, "and there are some things you can only learn at the ballpark."

Each year, Matthew and his dad wore Crickets jerseys and Crickets hats, and they always got to the ballpark early enough to watch the hitters take batting practice. County Stadium was an old ballpark, almost as old as Matthew's dad himself, and it had started to get a little shabby by the time Matthew started going to games. The scoreboard was rusty; the speakers were screechy, and the chairs weren't as comfortable as they could have been. But on a sunny day, Matthew thought, it was the most beautiful stadium in the world. Last year was perfect. The sun was bright, the sky was clear, and there was just enough of a breeze to remind him that summer wasn't quite here yet. The Crickets won 4-2, Matthew ate two hot dogs and a plastic baseball helmet full of ice cream, and Billie Carney bowed to the fans when he ran out onto the field. They went to a lot of games the rest of the summer, but opening day-as always-was his favorite. On the coldest days of winter, when wind cut through Matthew's parka and his fingers turned as pink as Vienna sausages, Matthew remembered opening day, and the outfield grass that was as green and perfect as the Emerald City in the Wizard of Oz.

"I've got bad news," said Matthew's father, two days before the season started. "I can't go to opening day this year."

"Dad," said Matthew. "That is a dumb joke."

"I'm not kidding. Your sister's play is Sunday afternoon."

"Her play is happening for three days. We're watching it at school on Monday. Why don't you just come then?"

"I've got to work, kid. I'm really sorry."

Matthew's father looked sad, but Matthew did not. He did not cry; he did not scream; he did not yell at his father about breaking promises. One of the things that he could only learn at the ballpark is that there's no crying in baseball, so Matthew didn't cry. But he wanted to.

"Why don't we go to the game Monday night?" his father asked.

Matthew wanted to explain that night games were no good, that he had been waiting all winter for blue skies and green grass and sunshine. Night games were fine in the middle of the summer, when it was too hot to sit out in the sun, but it was April. He didn't want to go to

County Stadium in his parka, but he didn't know how to put it into words.

"I want to go to opening day," he said, finally.

"I've got an idea," said his dad. "It's kind of crazy but...do you want to go by yourself?"

"What?!"

"You're old enough now. When I was your age I'd go to games alone all the time. I know it's not what we usually do, but it could be fun."

"Go to the game...alone?" asked Matthew. He had to admit: it was better than not going at all.

The sky was blue, the grass was green, and Matthew wore his Crickets jersey and Crickets hat. His seat was right where he liked-along the first base line, behind the home dugout- and all his favorite players were in the lineup, with Billie Carney batting first. He took out his scorecard and carefully wrote their names down. During the game, he would make notes of what happened-who got a double, who struck out, who had the big home run. It was an old- fashioned thing to do, but Matthew liked it, because it helped keep him focused on the game. His father had taught him how to keep score.

It was a perfect day for baseball. So why did Matthew feel so gloomy?

During the second and fifth innings, Matthew bought hot dogs from the hot dog vendor. His dad had given him $20 to spend, and Matthew was going to spend all of it. He wanted to get a plastic baseball helmet full of ice cream, but he had to go to the concessions stand for that, and if he stopped watching the game, he wouldn't be able to write down what happened on his scorecard. If it were later in the season, this wouldn't worry him so much, but today was opening day, and the scorecard-everything-had to be perfect.

He decided to skip the seventh inning stretch. This was a big sacrifice, because singing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" was one of the best parts of going to see the Crickets. The mascot -a big green cricket in a foam costume-would run out onto the field and dance around and throw t-shirts. But Matthew already had plenty of Crickets t-shirts. What he didn't have was ice cream.

He waited in line, and paid the last of his money for a plastic baseball helmet full of mint chocolate chip. When he got back to his seat, the sun had gone away. Matthew balanced his ice cream in the cup holder in front of him, and frowned at his scorecard. In the space for "Weather" he had written "Sunny." He changed it to "Sunny/Clouds." He put his scorecard

The game was over. The Crickets had won, 6-1. A blowout, but not a very exciting one. According to his scorecard, Billie Carney had a single and a walk, but no runs batted in-a good day, but not a great one. As always, Billie had bowed to the people when he ran out onto the field, and Matthew bowed back. When he hit his single, with a sound like a judge's gavel, Matthew cheered louder than he had all day. He fixed the image in his mind: Billie Carney, hustling down the first base line, right in front of his eyes. He would tell his father about it when he got home, and he would remember it come winter.

Matthew's dad had told him to call when the game was over and he would come pick him up, but now, standing outside the stadium, he didn't want to leave. He sat on a bench outside the stadium, making sure his scorecard was perfect. He erased wobbly lines and redrew them, straight, bold and firm. Flawed letters-a wobbly K, a slouching B-he went over until they looked like they had been put there by a computer. By the time he was finished, nobody could have done a better job.

Matthew looked up, and saw the parking lot was empty. Behind him, the stadium was closed -and with it, the only pay phone. How would his dad know to come pick him up? The sun was long gone now, and Matthew began to wish he had brought his parka. It was windy in the County Stadium parking lot.

He walked around the ballpark, hoping to find another phone, but all he found was cracked concrete and overgrown grass. On the other side from the outfield wall, he saw a battered old baseball-a forgotten home run from the season before. He picked this up and put it in his pocket. A boy can never have too many baseballs. Holding it as he picked his way across the gravel, he felt less afraid. As he completed the loop around the stadium, he heard a door close behind him.

"Hey kid," said a voice, and Matthew's heart leapt. It was Billie Carney. Out of uniform, he looked bigger than he did on the field, like he could crush a rock into dust with one hand. He was smiling, just like he had when he bowed to the crowd that afternoon. "You here by yourself?"

"Kinda," said Matthew. "My dad's supposed to pick me up, but I don't have a way to call him."

Silently, Billie took his cellphone out of his pocket and handed it over. Matthew dialed his father's number, and told him to meet him by the main entrance. When he handed the phone back to Billie, he said thanks, quietly.

"No problem," said Billie. "You want some company while you wait?"

"Sure," said Matthew, as they walked back to his bench.

"Enjoy the game today?"

"It was pretty good," said Matthew. "That was a nice at-bat you had in the sixth, when you drew the walk."

"Thanks. It must have been seven, eight pitches."

"It was nine," said Matthew. "I was counting."

"Glad to know somebody's paying attention. That a baseball in your pocket?"

"I found it on the other side of the center field fence."

"They don't clean back there as much as they should. Want me to sign it?"

Matthew handed Billie the ball, his heart in his chest. As Billie traced his wide, looping signature across the grimy yellow leather, Matthew asked the question that had been bothering him all day.

"Do you ever get sick of playing here?" he asked.

"What do you mean?"

"You're good enough to play in the majors. I know it. You know it. The whole crowd knows it. You hit twenty-seven home runs last year! You had ninety-eight RBIs! You walked more than anybody else on the team! Doesn't it drive you crazy to be stuck down here, in this crummy old ballpark, playing for nobody?"

For a moment, Billie looked hurt. Then a smile broke out across his face, and he started laughing. "Are you nuts, kid?" he asked. "I get to play baseball for a living! It's not much money, but it's enough. And if I can keep the people entertained here, who cares about the big leagues?"

"Yeah?"

"It's opening day. We're at the ballpark. What have we got to complain about?"

Name: ______Date: ______1. What does Matthew like to do every April?

A. go for a bike ride in the sunshine and blue skies B. eat ice cream and watch a movie at home C. see the Crickets play on opening day D. see his sister perform in a school play

2. What is the climax of the action in this story?

A. Matthew eats ice cream at the ballpark. B. Matthew's father says that he cannot go to opening day. C. Matthew commits Billie Carney's statistics to memory. D. Matthew talks to Billie Carney.

3. Matthew is excited to meet Billie Carney.

What evidence from the story supports this statement?

A. "During the second and fifth innings, Matthew bought hot dogs from the hot dog vendor." B. "Each opening day, Matthew was shocked to see that Billie was still playing for the Crickets." C. "One of the things that he could only learn at the ballpark is that there's no crying in baseball, so Matthew didn't cry." D. "'Hey kid,' said a voice, and Matthew's heart leapt. It was Billie Carney."

4. Based on what Billie says, how does he feel about playing baseball for the Crickets?

A. Billie is happy about playing baseball for the Crickets. B. Billie is tired of playing baseball for the Crickets. C. Billie is worried about playing baseball for the Crickets. D. Billie does not care much about playing baseball for the Crickets.

A. the pleasures of winter B. the pleasures of baseball C. the damage that war can cause D. the damage that nature can cause

6. Read the following sentence: "Doesn't it drive you crazy to be stuck down here, in this crummy old ballpark, playing for nobody?"

What does the phrase playing for nobody mean in the sentence above?

A. not caring about how well a baseball team plays B. not playing in a baseball game on opening day C. not playing for very many people or anyone important D. playing in a ballpark that does not have any seats

7. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence below.

Billie looks hurt ______Matthew asks him whether playing in a crummy old ballpark drives him crazy.

A. after B. before C. for instance D. however

8. For Matthew, what is the best holiday of the year?

9. When Matthew asks Billie whether playing for nobody in a crummy old ballpark drives him crazy, what does Billie say?

10. What do Matthew and Billie have in common? Support your answer with evidence from the passage.

World War I: The Sinking of the Lusitania and Submarine Warfare by ReadWorks

In 1916, citizens elected President Wilson for a second term. His campaign slogan was, "he kept us out of war." Less than a year later, the country entered the war reluctantly, but determined. The biggest change of American public opinion about the war came after the sinking of a British supply ship, the RMS Lusitania. Here is the story of the famous ocean liner.

In February 1915, the German government announced a new policy of unrestricted submarine warfare. Their underwater U-boats would sink any vessels around Great Britain. Before, Germany had captured enemy ships. Now they would simply destroy ships, passengers and all.

On May 1, 1915, the British ship Lusitania set course from New York to Liverpool, England. The passengers and crew knew about Germany's policy. Many ships had been sunk already. However, the Lusitania was famous for its speed. The passengers were confident that the ship would be safe. When the ship approached dangerous waters, fog blanketed the air. Worried by the weather, Captain William Turner slowed down. At less than top speed, the Lusitania made an easier target.

Off the southern coast of Ireland, a German submarine spotted the ship. The submarine shot a single torpedo. The shot crashed into the hull, or main body of the ship. The torpedo exploded on contact. A few seconds later, another explosion rocked the ship. Experts think that coal storage areas caught on fire during the first explosion and caused the second explosion. In 18 minutes, the ship was under water. Over 1,100 people out of more than 1,900 on board died, including more than 120 Americans.

The United States was outraged. President Wilson and United States citizenscould no longer ignore the war. Germany did not want the United States to get involved. Temporarily, Germany stopped sinking vessels with civilian passengers, but this policy change was only temporary. In February 1917, Germany again declared unrestricted submarine warfare. To make matters worse, Germany decided to shoot neutral ships, including United States ReadWorks.org · © 2012 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved. World War I: The Sinking of the Lusitania and Submarine Warfare vessels-not just the ships of the countries already at war. (Remember that the Lusitania was British.)

United States' ships had been supplying Great Britain food and vital supplies. Germany wanted to cut off trade routes between the two countries and starve Great Britain into surrender. Great Britain could not survive without American supplies, and President Wilson and the American people could not ignore Germany's announcement. Great Britain was only six weeks away from running out of food supplies. On April 2, 1917, President Wilson asked the Congress of the United States to declare war.

Name: ______Date: ______1. A U-boat is

A. an ocean liner. B. a German passenger ship. C. a type of submarine. D. a passenger ship with a U-shaped hull.

2. Why does the author describe the sinking of the Lusitania?

A. to explain why the United States entered World War I B. to tell the story of how World War I came to an end C. to explain why Germany entered World War I D. to show British troops fought differently than American troops

3. The saying "fog blanketed the air" means that the sky was

A. cold and dry. B. warm and sunny. C. filled with smoke. D. filled with low-lying clouds.

4. Read the following sentence: "Temporarily, Germany stopped sinking vessels with civilian passengers, but this policy change was only temporary. In February 1917, Germany again declared unrestricted submarine warfare."

The word temporary means

A. lasting only a short time B. on land rather than water C. fake or pretended D. talked about but never done

A. Why the United States was reluctant to join World War I at first. B. Why the United States and Britain were allies in World War I. C. The technology that allowed German forces to create submarine war ships. D. How submarine warfare caused major changes in World War I.

6. Describe how the German policy of unrestricted submarine warfare was different than how they had fought with ships before 1915.

7. Based on the passage, explain whether the United States would have entered World War I if the Lusitania had not been sunk.

8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence.

Germany did not want the US involved in the war, ______they stopped sinking vessels with civilians aboard.

A. despite B. therefore C. because D. but

Monday-Analysis of the Declaration of Independence

Tuesday-The First American

Wednesday-U.S. Presidents: Thomas Jefferson

Thursday-A Very Messy Tea Party

Friday-Colonization and the Revolutionary War: Introduction to the Revolutionary War Analysis of the Declaration of Independence

Analysis of the Declaration of Independence by W.M. Akers

"Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" and "all men are created equal" are a couple of phrases from the Declaration of Independence that many Americans know by heart. These phrases are parts of philosophies that inspired the very foundation of the American government. A close reading of arguably the most important document in the early history of the United States can tell us more about what kind of government the founding fathers wanted.

In a way, the Declaration of Independence is like a break-up letter or an email sent to a boss after a long time working a hated job. "I quit!" it says. "And here's why." The Declaration is an interesting document to read, even more than two centuries after it was written.

The intellectual foundation of the Declaration is explained in just a few sentences in the second paragraph. "All men are created equal," writes author Thomas Jefferson. And everyone has basic rights that cannot be taken away, including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Any government that tries to deny those rights to its people is a government that should not deserve to exist. Perhaps the most revolutionary idea in this paragraph comes in the statement that a government's power derives "from the consent of the governed." To make such a statement to England's King George III, who believed that his right to rule came from God, was quite a bold move.

In the 18th century, this was cutting-edge philosophy, the sort of thing that French intellectuals like Voltaire and Rousseau might have discussed in Parisian coffee houses. However, Jefferson spends a few lines on these matters before moving on to the nitty-gritty: a list of complaints that he refers to as "a history of repeated injuries and usurpations." After decades of monarchical rule, the colonists became angry at how they were being ruled, and they weren't going to take it anymore. These complaints give insight into the sort of things that bothered the colonists by 1776. Let's look at a few specific lines and think a little bit about what they mean.

In one of the first complaints, the king is accused of holding legislative meetings "at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant" from their ordinary locations. This is a reference to specific occasions in Massachusetts and Virginia, where regular legislative meeting places were changed to locations so ReadWorks.org · © 2014 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved. Analysis of the Declaration of Independence inconvenient that most of the lawmakers could not make the journey. If they did make the long trip, they would be too tired to argue with unjust decision-making. "Fatiguing them into compliance with [the king's] measures," writes Jefferson, was the "sole purpose" for moving these public meetings around.

The right for people to watch their government in action has been an important part of American democracy ever since. This is why local city council meetings are generally open to the public and why even small government decisions-the altering of a school district, for instance-must be preceded by a public hearing. When citizens speak at such a hearing, they are able to do so because of the colonists who demanded that public meetings be held in convenient locations.

Most of the first part of the list concerns similar bureaucratic complaints. The king controlled the appointment and payment of judges, making them more likely to rule in his favor. He passed laws making it difficult for new colonists to immigrate. When colonial lawmakers complained about such injustices, the king would dissolve their "Representative Houses...for opposing with manly firmness" his policies. These are all important complaints, but they only make up the first part of the list of complaints. Jefferson then mentions the continued presence of the king's soldiers in the colonies.

After the end of the French and Indian War in 1763, the British armies were not dissolved. Instead, they remained in the colonies. A "standing army" was maintained to supposedly guard against French or Indian aggression, though the colonists suspected it was intended to limit their freedom. Several entries in the middle of the list of grievances are taken up by complaints about the presence of these soldiers.

"He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power," Jefferson writes-a way of saying that it was like the colonies had been converted to a military dictatorship, because the king's armies were not under the control of local governments. Then, it gets worse. Jefferson blasts the king "for Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us," a reference to the Quartering Acts of 1765 and 1774, which required local governments to house and feed British soldiers.

As the colonists saw it, these protections given to the British army were not just a matter of money or privacy, but of justice. Because of the Administration of Justice Act of 1774, popularly known as the "Murder Act," British officials accused of crimes in Massachusetts could be tried in Britain. This meant that a British soldier could kill a colonist and escape trial by local jury, instead being tried in front of a more friendly English court. In his next complaint, Jefferson refers to this as "a mock trial."

The colonists were so incensed by the Quartering Act that, after the Revolutionary War was finished, they wrote a special amendment to the new Constitution to prevent such a law from ever being passed in the United States. It read: "No Soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law." This was so important to the founders that they made it the Third Amendment, following only the freedom of speech and the right to bear arms.

When the Declaration of Independence was written and ratified in the summer of 1776, the Revolutionary War had already begun. The Battle of Bunker Hill had occurred the year before, upon which the king declared the colonies in open rebellion. He sent his army and navy to contain the revolt and hired Hessian mercenaries from Germany to supplement his forces. The response to these actions concludes Jefferson's list, and it is here his strength as a writer becomes most apparent.

He accuses the king of "waging War against us," saying that "he has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of the people." The hiring of the Hessians draws even sharper comment, as Jefferson refers to "large Armies of foreign Mercenaries [coming] to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation."

Although a written document, the Declaration of Independence was intended to be read aloud throughout the colonies as a way of inciting frustrated citizens to rebel against their king. For this reason, it makes sense that it starts slowly, introducing the intellectual argument calmly, before steadily rising to a fever pitch of rage and indignation. Even listeners unmoved by the opening paragraphs-the now famous ones-would be excited by this talk of death and destruction and tyranny.

The Declaration of Independence was not solely meant to serve as a nation's founding document. It was to be used to raise an army and protect a rebellion that had just barely begun.

Name: ______Date: ______1. With what does the Declaration of Independence begin?

A. an angry tirade against the King B. a list of complaints C. a philosophical argument D. the history of the colonies

2. What does the passage describe?

A. the impact of the Declaration of Independence on the war efforts of the colonists B. the organization of the Declaration of Independence and the historical context in which it was written C. the reaction of the British monarchy to the Declaration of Independence D. the French and Indian War and its impact on the relationship between the colonists and the British monarchy

3. Thomas Jefferson was not afraid to make daring statements in the Declaration of Independence. What evidence from the text best supports this conclusion?

A. Jefferson stated that a government's power derives "from the consent to be governed." B. Jefferson began the Declaration of Independence with an intellectual argument, then listed specific bureaucratic complaints. C. Jefferson claimed that public meetings were being moved around on purpose. D. Jefferson complained about the presence of the king's soldiers in the colonies.

4. How did Thomas Jefferson intend for the colonists to feel after hearing the Declaration of Independence read aloud?

A. indifferent and bored B. outraged and eager to act C. sympathetic and guilty D. disappointed and hopeless

A. The Declaration of Independence was full of cutting edge philosophy and a reminder of the intellectual reasons the colonists broke from the crown. B. The Declaration of Independence contains the entire history of the colonies and gives a detailed account of what was happening at that time period. C. The Declaration of Independence listed various complaints against the British crown that led the colonists to break from the British government. D. The Declaration of Independence showed how enraged Thomas Jefferson was at the many laws that were unfairly imposed on the colonists.

6. Read the following sentences: "Although a written document, the Declaration of Independence was intended to be read aloud throughout the colonies as a way of inciting frustrated citizens to rebel against their king. For this reason, it makes sense that it starts slowly, introducing the intellectual argument calmly, before steadily rising to a fever pitch of rage and indignation. Even listeners unmoved by the opening paragraphs-the now famous ones-would be excited by this talk of death and destruction and tyranny."

As used in the passage, what does the word "inciting" most nearly mean?

A. stirring up B. discouraging C. preventing D. questioning

7. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence below.

The Quartering Act greatly incensed the colonists; ______, they made a special amendment to the new Constitution to ensure a law like this was never passed again.

A. moreover B. initially C. namely D. consequently

ReadWorks.org · © 2020 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved. Analysis of the Declaration of Independence - Comprehension Questions 8. In the Declaration of Independence, the king is accused of holding legislative meetings "at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant" from their ordinary locations.

What right has become an important part of American democracy ever since this complaint was written?

9. Why was the Declaration of Independence intended to be read aloud throughout the colonies?

10. The author writes that the Declaration of Independence was "used to raise an army and protect a rebellion that had just barely begun."

Explain why the Declaration of Independence would be an effective tool in these efforts. Use information from the passage to support your answer.

The First American by ReadWorks

Have you ever wondered what the "united states" in the United States of America is? Originally, the term referred to 13 colonies under the British Empire that overthrew colonial rule and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, forming the United States of America. The men who participated in the revolution, signed the Declaration of Independence, and contributed to drafting the Constitution are known as "founding fathers." Benjamin Franklin, who is portrayed on the 100-dollar note, was one of the "Committee of Five" men who were appointed to draft the Declaration that was eventually signed by the other founding fathers.

Franklin's Early Life

Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706 in Boston to a soap maker named Josiah Franklin. His father could not afford full schooling for all his children, but Benjamin loved books and worked in his elder brother's printing business. He worked in the trade for many years before buying the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1729, which was a new publication at the time. He also wrote and made cartoons for the newspaper. In addition, he worked toward improving living conditions in the city of Philadelphia: improving the efficiency of street lights, cleaning the roads and starting libraries. In the 1740s, Franklin retired from his printing business and turned to science with great success. He was a very ReadWorks.org · © 2013 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved. The First American smart man and his work on electricity for instance, such as the "kite experiment" which confirmed the nature of lightning, made him famous all over the American colonies.

Benjamin Franklin as the First American

Now you might be wondering how this printer and scientist ended up on the $100 bill. Franklin earned the title of the "First American" for his efforts to unite the 13 American colonies, and for his long campaign for American independence from England. This part of the story starts in London. He went to London as a representative of Americans to get the British to keep assisting American colonies. In London, he became a member of the "Club of Honest Whigs" (who also wore wigs!) and began interacting with important political thinkers and activists of the time.

When he returned to Pennsylvania, he led a struggle against the powerful Penn family over their control of the colony, and was elected the Speaker of the Pennsylvania House in 1764. In 1765, he opposed the Stamp Act, which was a direct tax by the British Parliament on American colonies. He continued to write and campaign against British injustices in America.

When the American War of Independence began in the 1770s and every colony was required to send one delegate to represent its interests in the "Second Continental Congress," everyone in the Pennsylvania assembly chose Franklin. He was one of five people who wrote the final Declaration of Independence.

After the United States of America was established, Franklin held several important positions such as the first United States Postmaster General, Ambassador to France and sixth President of Pennsylvania. He is also famous today for his wise sayings, including "a penny saved is a penny earned" and "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Name: ______Date: ______1. Who were the "founding fathers"?

A. 13 colonies under the British Empire that overthrew colonial rule in 1776 B. Benjamin Franklin and George Washington only C. men who participated in the revolution, signed the Declaration of Independence, and contributed to drafting the Constitution D. five men who were appointed to draft the Declaration of Independence

2. What does the author describe in the passage?

A. the life of Benjamin Franklin and his involvement in the American Revolution B. a breakdown of battles in the Revolutionary War C. how Benjamin Franklin discovered electricity and lightning D. the changes Benjamin Franklin made to the United States Postal Service

3. Benjamin Franklin was opposed to injustice. Which details from the text support this statement?

A. He was a member of the "Club of Honest Whigs." B. His face is depicted on the $100 bill. C. He worked in his brother's printing business and eventually bought the Pennsylvania Gazette. D. He led a struggle against the Penn family over their control of the colony and opposed the Stamp Act.

4. Benjamin Franklin was elected the Speaker of the Pennsylvania House and selected to represent Pennsylvania in the "Second Continental Congress." What conclusion can be made about Benjamin Franklin?

A. Benjamin Franklin was not well liked. B. Benjamin Franklin was popular in Pennsylvania. C. Benjamin Franklin did not care what people thought about him. D. Benjamin Franklin was not interested in politics.

A. the signing of the Declaration of Independence B. how the founding fathers and Committee of Five were chosen C. the formation of the United States of America and the Revolutionary War D. Benjamin Franklin's life and why he is called the First American

6. Read the following sentences: "Benjamin Franklin as a part of the five-member committee in John Trumbull's painting Declaration of Independence. Do you know who the others in the painting are? There are as many as 42 founding fathers in the painting. The person on the left of Ben Franklin is Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President of the United States."

Why does the author include this caption under the painting?

A. to describe the painting and introduce the topic of the passage B. to confuse the reader with information that is unrelated to the passage C. to introduce a major character, John Trumbull D. to give the reader a short art history lesson

7. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence below.

Benjamin Franklin held many important positions in the newly established United States of America, ______member of the Committee of Five, Postmaster General, and Ambassador to France.

A. therefore B. but C. including D. first

8. Why did Benjamin Franklin go to London?

9. How did Benjamin Franklin work to improve the lives of everyday people?

10. Explain whether Benjamin Franklin deserves the title of the "First American." Support your answer using details from the text.

U.S. Presidents: Thomas Jefferson by ReadWorks

Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States. His tombstone reads, "Here was buried Thomas Jefferson, Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom, & Father of the University of Virginia." Notice anything odd about this inscription? There is no mention of him being President. This is because Jefferson did not see his presidency as one of his greater accomplishments.

Politics was only one of Jefferson's many interests. His peers pressured him to run for office. They respected Jefferson for his practical thinking and breadth of knowledge. He was a patron of the arts, an architect, a mathematician, an inventor, and a family man. Jefferson's peers also admired his genius for writing and his ideals.

Jefferson strongly believed in people's ability to manage their own affairs. He wanted to keep government small and out of the public's life as much as possible. This ideal of self- government became known as Jeffersonian Democracy. Jefferson worked tirelessly for freedom of speech, press, religion, and other civil liberties. He pushed hard for the addition of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution.

Jefferson's ideals were shaped by his boyhood. He was born on April 13, 1743 on his family's estate in Virginia. He was only 14 when his father died. At 16 he entered the College of William and Mary in nearby Williamsburg. He would later say that his studies and the cultured people he met during college greatly stimulated his mind. During these years, he also trained to be a lawyer. He listened to patriots like Patrick Henry protest Britain's unfair treatment of and taxes on the colonists and formed many of his ideas about people's "natural rights."

Many people remember Jefferson for writing the Declaration of Independence, but he made a lot other contributions to American society as well.Another great achievement came during his two terms as President. The U.S. purchased a vast region of land between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains from France. This deal, known as the Louisiana Purchase, nearly doubled the size of the nation. In his later years, Jefferson designed the Virginia Capitol and his famous home, Monticello. He founded the prestigious University of Virginia. He also sold his library, 6,400 volumes in all, to Congress. In short, he began the Library of Congress. Jefferson died on July 4, 1826. His spirit and ideals impact and inspire us to this day.

Name: ______Date: ______1. What significant detail is left off Jefferson's tombstone?

A. his presidency B. his part in creating the University of Virginia C. his mother's name D. his authorship of the Declaration of Independence

2. The fourth paragraph of the passage is about

A. how Jefferson's father died when Jefferson was 14. B. how Jefferson listened to patriotic speeches. C. how Jefferson attended the College of William and Mary. D. how Jefferson's ideals were shaped by his boyhood experiences.

3. Which of the following words best describes Jefferson's interests?

A. political B. unusual C. numerous D. narrow

4. Based on the passage, the word stimulated means

A. distracted. B. measured. C. inspired. D. deadened.

5. According to the passage, what is one reason Jefferson became President?

A. His peers pressured him to try to become President. B. He needed the money in order to keep living well. C. He thought it would help him build the University of Virginia. D. He had a dream of buying Louisiana.

6. How do Jefferson's ideals about civil liberties impact your life today?

7. What were some of the things Jefferson did in addition to being a politician? ReadWorks.org · © 2020 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved. U.S. Presidents: Thomas Jefferson - Comprehension Questions 8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

Thomas Jefferson worked hard for people's freedom of speech ____ religion.

A. and B. but C. during D. without

A Very Messy Tea Party by W.M. Akers

If you know anything about English people, you probably know that many of them love tea. Ever since tea was first imported to Great Britain from China, the English have enjoyed a nice, hot cup of strong tea in the afternoon, and in the 1700s, they brought this habit with them to their colonies in North America.

In the early 1700s, the British government made a special deal with the East India Company, an English organization doing trade in the East Indies. They granted the East India Company a monopoly on tea by agreeing that no other company was allowed to sell tea in Britain or its colonies. This was a great deal for the East India Company, since it meant that the company could charge whatever it wanted for its products. It already cost a lot to get a crate of tea from India to England, and government taxes made the cost of tea even higher.

In the British colonies of North America, colonists did not like having to pay such high prices. Rather than overpay for tea from England, they turned to Dutch smugglers, who sneaked in tea that was just as good-and much less expensive. This was a violation of the English monopoly and against the law, but the colonists didn't care. They got the same cup of tea and had enough money left over to buy cookies for dipping.

The East India Company, however, didn't like this one bit. By the 1760s, they were losing ReadWorks.org · © 2014 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved. A Very Messy Tea Party hundreds of thousands of pounds per year to Dutch smugglers-a fortune in a time when £60 a year was considered a good income. Rather than change their prices to compete with the Dutch smugglers, the company asked the British government for help. Parliament agreed and passed a series of acts in 1767 that would change the course of history.

A Tax on Tea?

With a stroke of the pen, the Townshend Acts raised the prices the colonists paid on all sorts of things. Lead, glass, paints, and paper all became more expensive. But today, the acts are best remembered for raising the price colonists had to pay for tea.

The colonists were outraged, and not just because they had to spend more money at the market. This was the second time the British government had taxed them to pay for the government's expenses-after the incredibly unpopular Stamp Act of 1765-and the colonists did not think it was fair. According to the British tradition, a tax could only be enacted-or "levied"-after elected officials agreed on it. For people living in England, this meant that taxes had to be voted on by Parliament. But the colonists didn't have any representatives in Parliament. They didn't have any representatives at all.

The common phrase "No taxation without representation!" became popular then, referring to the government taxing people without their consent.

The Sons of Liberty

With the Tea Act of 1773, Parliament allowed the East India Company to sell tea to the colonists for less money than ever before. With this act, the East India Company was able to cut American merchants out of the picture, selling tea directly to American distributors. Suddenly, English tea was cheaper than smuggled Dutch tea, which should have made the colonists happy. The act, however, had a negative effect on the American economy, which angered the colonists. Moreover, the Townshend tax was still in effect, and colonists didn't want a shilling of their money going toward something they considered unfair. It was a question of principle, and a few colonists in Boston were very principled indeed. There was no legal way for the colonists to fight back. And so they decided to break the law.

In November 1773, the Dartmouth, a tea ship, arrived in Boston Harbor, carrying thousands of pounds of discounted, yet taxed tea. But the people of Boston didn't want to buy this tea.

They didn't want to drink it. They didn't even want to let it off the ship. Led by Samuel Adams, protestors calling themselves the Sons of Liberty did everything they could to make the captain of the ship turn around and go home. But the British governor would not let the Dartmouth leave.

Finally, on December 16, a sizable group of colonists sneaked aboard the Dartmouth disguised as Native Americans. Working quietly, they emptied the holds of theDartmouth and two other ships that had recently docked in port. Three hundred forty-two chests of tea went into the frigid Boston Harbor-a statement that Britain and the East India Company could not ignore. No matter how cheap the product, if it was taxed, the colonists didn't want it.

It was more than two years after the Boston Tea Party that the Declaration of Independence was signed, but once that tea went into the harbor, the path to revolution was assured. Tons of tea were thrown out, and the whole course of colonial history was changed that night.

Name: ______Date: ______1. What did the British government and the East India Company agree on in a deal made in the early 1700s?

A. The East India Company would lower the price of tea in Britain and its colonies. B. The East India Company would standardize the price of tea in Britain and its colonies. C. Only the East India Company was allowed to sell tea in Britain and its colonies. D. Britain would not tax the East India Company on tea sold in Britain and its colonies.

2. One of the main causes of the high price of tea in the American colonies was the monopoly held by the East India Company. What was the effect?

A. The East India Company sold more tea. B. The British started buying less tea. C. The East India Company grew less tea. D. Colonists bought tea from Dutch smugglers.

3. The colonists' major issue with the Townshend Acts was not the higher cost of tea. What evidence from the passage best supports this conclusion?

A. Colonists had to spend more money on other goods such as paper. B. Colonists still would not buy British tea after the price was lowered. C. Colonists dumped 342 chests of British tea into the Boston Harbor. D. Colonists did not have representation in the British Parliament.

4. Why did Parliament pass the Tea Act of 1773?

A. to try to get the colonists to buy British tea again B. to raise the profits the British government made on tea taxes C. to give the East India Company a monopoly on tea D. to allow the East India Company to sell tea in the colonies

5. What is this passage mostly about?

A. why the British love high-quality tea B. the beginning of the Revolutionary War C. the development of the East India Company D. the lead-up to the Boston Tea Party

ReadWorks.org · © 2020 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved. A Very Messy Tea Party - Comprehension Questions 6. Read the following sentences: "It was more than two years after the Boston Tea Party that the Declaration of Independence was signed, but once that tea went into the harbor, the path to revolution was assured. Tons of tea were thrown out, and the whole course of colonial history was changed that night."

As used in the passage, what does "assured" mean?

A. dangerous B. guaranteed C. popular D. unlikely

7. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence below.

______the East India Company was able to charge high prices for tea, it was losing hundreds of thousands of pounds per year by the 1760s.

A. Even though B. Ultimately C. For instance D. In the end

8. What did the Townshend Acts do?

9. Why did the colonists think that taxation by the British was unfair?

10. The colonists were outraged after the Townshend Acts, which are best remembered for raising the price of tea. Why were the colonists not pacified by the discounted cost of tea after the Tea Act of 1773?

Colonization and Revolutionary War: Introduction to the Revolutionary War by ReadWorks

As the colonies took root, they grew used to mostly governing themselves.Great Britain decided it wanted more control. It began to force new taxes on the colonists. They wanted to raise money from the goods they were shipping to the colonies. In 1764, the British Parliament passed the Sugar Act to raise the tax on sugar. The next year, the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act. Colonists now had to pay taxes for newspapers, marriage licenses, and all other legal documents.

Many colonists were angered by these taxes. They hadn't agreed to them and felt they were illegal and unfair. Each new tax led to a bigger protest on the part of these colonists. Besides taxes, many colonists were also unhappy about some of the rules the British were forcing on them. In 1765, the British Parliament passed the Quartering Act. The act stated that colonists had to agree to give British troops food and let them stay in their homes. Colonists who were unhappy with how the British were treating them decided to fight back peacefully.

In 1765, the Stamp Act Congress met in New York. The Congress was made up of representatives from many colonies. The representatives agreed to boycott British goods until

ReadWorks.org · © 2012 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved. Colonization and Revolutionary War: Introduction to the Revolutionary War the Stamp Act was repealed. That same year, the Sons of Liberty, a secret organization of colonists in favor of liberty, was formed.

Tensions grew between the Colonists and the British. In 1770, tensions erupted with the Boston Massacre. British troops thought they were under attack when colonists in Boston started throwing snowballs at them. They panicked. One soldier started firing his gun. Then more soldiers fired into the unarmed crowd. Five colonists were killed and six were injured.

The British government was afraid of losing control over the colonies. They removed all the taxes on imports to try to make the colonists happy. They allowed, however, one tax to remain in place for tea. In 1773, Parliament passed the Tea Act to help get the East India Company out of financial trouble. This act enabled the British trading company to sell tea in America at a low price. Even with a tax on tea, the British company had a price advantage over American tea companies. The colonists were furious. They feared East India's tea would put American tea companies out of business. In Boston, a leader of the resistance named Samuel Adams decided to protest. He spoke to a group of colonists on December 16, 1773 at the Old South Church in Boston. Shortly after he spoke, a large group of men boarded British ships and dumped thousands of pounds of East India's tea into the harbor. Crowds of onlookers gathered to celebrate the rebellious act. They nicknamed the event the Boston Tea Party.

The British responded quickly and harshly. In 1774, they passed several measures known as the Intolerable Acts. They closed the Boston port and made it difficult for the major city to function. Other colonies, especially Maryland, helped Boston survive by sending food and supplies.

All of these events had two main consequences. First, they made the colonists resent Britain. Britain's government seemed far away and out of touch with the colonists' needs. Many colonists began to think about ruling themselves. Second, they helped unite the colonists. The colonists had come to the New World with very different backgrounds and lifestyles. They were sprawled all over the East Coast of this big continent. But Britain's acts gave them a single purpose and a common cause: justice and liberty.

In September 1774, the first meeting of the First Continental Congress took place. Representatives from 12 of the American Colonies met to discuss how they would unite and defend their rights as men. Within months the Revolutionary War would begin. Less than two years later, on July 4, 1776, America would declare its independence.

Name: ______Date: ______1. What was the purpose of the Quartering Act?

A. Colonists had to allow British soldiers to live in their homes. B. The colonists had to pay a tax on all legal documents. C. One out of every four men had to serve in the British army. D. Each colony was divided into four quarters.

2. What was a consequence of the Boston Tea Party?

A. King George III allowed the colonists to declare independence. B. The Stamp Act Congress was held. C. The Sons of Liberty was formed. D. King George III closed Boston's Port.

3. Based on the passage, the main reason that colonists became upset with the British was that

A. The colonists wanted to take over the British government. B. The British made laws that colonists thought were unfair. C. British soldiers were using the Quartering Act too much. D. The colonists were mostly upset about the price of tea.

4. Read the following sentences: "They closed the Boston port and made it difficult for the major city to function. Other colonies, especially Maryland, helped Boston survive by sending food and supplies."

The word function means

A. to work normally B. to start existing C. to hold political rallies D. to obey orders

ReadWorks.org · © 2020 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved. Colonization and Revolutionary War: Introduction to the Revolutionary War - Comprehension Questions 5. The primary purpose of this passage is to

A. Convince the reader that the American colonists were overreacting to British actions. B. Compare the American colonies to other colonies in the British Empire C. Illustrate how American politics are different from British politics. D. Explain the events that led American colonists to declare independence from the British.

6. Describe two of the laws mentioned in the passage.

7. Explain how American colonial history would have been different if the British had not passed the Intolerable Acts.

8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence.

The British wanted to keep control of the American colonies, ______, their actions were out of touch with the colonists' needs.

A. however B. as a result C. thus D. most importantly