Pre- and Post-Assessment: Fact and Opinion

Name: Teacher: Date: Pre- and Post-Assessment: Fact and Opinion Directions: Read the passages and answer the questions that follow.

Eleanor Roosevelt As a shy youngster, Eleanor Roosevelt probably never dreamed she would change the world. But that is what she did when she grew up. Her husband, Franklin Roosevelt, became president of the United States in 1932. That marked a big change in Eleanor’s life. Being first lady was quite a job. Eleanor did more than manage the White House and entertain guests. In 1921, she became the “eyes and ears” of her husband. Franklin suffered from polio. He used a wheelchair and found it difficult to travel. Eleanor traveled so she could keep her husband informed. She went all around the country to find out about people’s problems. She even began writing a newspaper column in 1936. The problems she saw made her want to speak up and fight for change. She was concerned for those who were treated unfairly and tried to improve the living conditions of poor children and their families. Eleanor believed in civil rights for everyone. She was not afraid of powerful groups who wanted to keep blacks and whites separated. She proved her support in many ways. Once at a meeting in Alabama, Eleanor stood up against an unfair law. She knew that the law required her to sit in a section for only white people, but she broke it when she sat with her black American friends instead. As first lady, she urged the president to protect the rights of black American people. Eleanor also suggested that her husband sign a special order. The order gave black American workers an equal chance at government jobs. After her husband died, Eleanor continued her work. Many groups invited Eleanor to speak at their meetings. For many years she worked for the United Nations. She traveled to several countries and fought for human rights around the world. People everywhere loved Eleanor and admired her courage. She was one of the greatest first ladies ever to live in the White House. In 1962 Eleanor Roosevelt died at the age of seventy-eight. 1. Which fact supports the idea that Eleanor Roosevelt changed the world? A. Eleanor was very shy as a young girl. B. Eleanor traveled around the country. C. Eleanor went to many meetings when her husband was president. D. Eleanor fought for human rights around the world.

2. Which sentence is an opinion expressed in the passage? A. Eleanor believed in civil rights for everyone. B. Eleanor wrote many books and newspaper columns. C. Eleanor was one of the greatest first ladies ever to live in the White House. D. Eleanor traveled so she could keep her husband informed about current events.

3. Which sentence from the story helps the reader form an opinion about Eleanor Roosevelt’s character? A. In 1962 Eleanor died at the age of seventy-eight. B. Eleanor believed in civil rights for everyone. C. Her husband, Franklin Roosevelt, became president in 1932. D. After her husband died, Eleanor continued her work. Brother Jonathan You probably know who Uncle Sam is. He is a symbol for the United States, and wears a top hat and stars and stripes. But are you familiar with Brother Jonathan? His name started to be used at the time of the American Revolution. It referred to anyone who was loyal to the colonists’ cause. At first, only those who were eager to help in the war were called Brother Jonathan. After the war, the term took on a new meaning. It became a patriotic symbol for the whole country. According to one story, the name Brother Jonathan probably came from a real man. It was George Washington’s nickname for his friend, the great Jonathan Trumbull. Trumbull was the governor of Connecticut Colony. He was the only governor who supported the revolution before the war. He often advised Washington on important matters. He was also a big help to the colonial Continental Army. Trumbull was an experienced merchant, so he knew how to find the supplies the army needed. He delivered food, clothing, and ammunition to the soldiers. In times of trouble, General Washington would announce that it was time to ask Brother Jonathan for help. Today, Jonathan Trumbull and his nickname are still remembered. There is a statue in honor of Trumbull in Washington, D.C.. And from time to time, people still refer to someone who is a true patriot as Brother Jonathan. 4. Which fact does not support the idea that Jonathan Trumbull was a true patriot? A. Trumbull delivered supplies to the Continental Army. B. Trumbull was an experienced merchant. C. Trumbull advised Washington on important matters. D. Trumbull was the only governor who supported the revolution before the war.

5. Which of the following is an opinion? A. Jonathan Trumbull was a friend of George Washington. B. Jonathan Trumbull was the governor of Connecticut. C. Jonathan Trumbull was an experienced merchant D. Jonathan Trumbull’s nickname became an interesting symbol.

6. Which statement about Jonathan Trumbull is a fact? A. He was the only governor who supported the revolution before the war. B. Jonathan was also a big help to the colonial Continental Army. C. Jonathan was truly an amazing patriot. D. In times of trouble, General Washington could not have managed without him. Traitor or Hero?

How should Benedict Arnold be remembered: as a traitor, or as a hero of the American Revolution? I’m not sure this question has a simple answer. Arnold joined the Patriot militia in 1774. After the Revolutionary War began in 1775, he helped lead the capture of Fort Ticonderoga from the British. Later that year, he led over a thousand soldiers into Canada, was wounded in battle, and earned a promotion for bravery. In October of 1777, he was again seriously wounded as he led his soldiers against the forces of the British general Burgoyne. Arnold’s courageous leadership helped the Americans win one of their most important victories in the war. But in 1780, Arnold worked out a plan with the British to surrender an important American military base in exchange for money. After his plan was discovered, he escaped and joined the British army. Why did he do this? Many historians believe that Arnold felt his country had treated him unfairly. He was disappointed when he was passed over for a promotion. He was also accused of being too easy on Americans who were loyal to the British. This may have angered him. The British never paid Arnold all the money he asked for. The land they gave him in Canada was not useful to him. When Arnold died in 1801, he had become poor, discouraged, and lonely, for he was a man few people trusted. Arnold was a traitor, it is true. But we should not forget that he performed several heroic acts that helped our nation win its independence. 7. Which of the following statements is a fact from the passage? A. Benedict Arnold should be remembered as a hero of the American Revolution. B. Benedict Arnold was seriously wounded as he led his soldiers against the forces of the British general Burgoyne. C. Benedict Arnold was too easy on Americans who were loyal to the British. D. Benedict Arnold’s country treated him unfairly. 8. Which of the following statements is an opinion from the passage? A. After Benedict Arnold’s plan was discovered, he escaped and joined the British army. B. It may have angered Benedict Arnold when he was accused of being too easy on Americans who were loyal to the British. C. The British never paid Arnold all the money he asked for. D. Benedict Arnold helped lead the capture of Fort Ticonderoga from the British. 9. Which of the following statements is an opinion from the passage? A. Benedict Arnold was a traitor. B. Benedict Arnold joined the Patriot militia in 1774. C. We should not forget that Benedict Arnold performed several heroic acts that helped our nation win its independence. D. Benedict Arnold died in 1801. KEY

Pre- and Post-Assessment: Fact and Opinion

Directions: Read the passages and answer the questions that follow.

Eleanor Roosevelt

As a shy youngster, Eleanor Roosevelt probably never dreamed she would change the world. But that is what she did when she grew up. Her husband, Franklin Roosevelt, became president of the United States in 1932. That marked a big change in Eleanor’s life. Being first lady was quite a job. Eleanor did more than manage the White House and entertain guests. In 1921, she became the “eyes and ears” of her husband. Franklin suffered from polio. He used a wheelchair and found it difficult to travel. Eleanor traveled so she could keep her husband informed. She went all around the country to find out about people’s problems. She even began writing a newspaper column in 1936. The problems she saw made her want to speak up and fight for change. She was concerned for those who were treated unfairly and tried to improve the living conditions of poor children and their families. Eleanor believed in civil rights for everyone. She was not afraid of powerful groups who wanted to keep blacks and whites separated. She proved her support in many ways. Once at a meeting in Alabama, Eleanor stood up against an unfair law. She knew that the law required her to sit in a section for only white people, but she broke it when she sat with her black American friends instead. As first lady, she urged the president to protect the rights of black American people. Eleanor also suggested that her husband sign a special order. The order gave black American workers an equal chance at government jobs. After her husband died, Eleanor continued her work. Many groups invited Eleanor to speak at their meetings. For many years she worked for the United Nations. She traveled to several countries and fought for human rights around the world. People everywhere loved Eleanor and admired her courage. She was one of the greatest first ladies ever to live in the White House. In 1962 Eleanor Roosevelt died at the age of seventy-eight. 1. Which fact supports the idea that Eleanor Roosevelt changed the world? A. Eleanor was very shy as a young girl. B. Eleanor traveled around the country. C. Eleanor went to many meetings when her husband was president. D. Eleanor fought for human rights around the world.

2. Which sentence is an opinion expressed in the passage? A. Eleanor believed in civil rights for everyone. B. Eleanor wrote many books and newspaper columns. C. Eleanor was one of the greatest first ladies ever to live in the White House. D. Eleanor traveled so she could keep her husband informed about current events.

3. Which sentence from the story helps the reader form an opinion about Eleanor Roosevelt’s character? A. In 1962 Eleanor died at the age of seventy-eight. B. Eleanor believed in civil rights for everyone. C. Her husband, Franklin Roosevelt, became president in 1932. D. After her husband died, Eleanor continued her work. Brother Jonathan You probably know who Uncle Sam is. He is a symbol for the United States, and wears a top hat and stars and stripes. But are you familiar with Brother Jonathan? His name started to be used at the time of the American Revolution. It referred to anyone who was loyal to the colonists’ cause. At first, only those who were eager to help in the war were called Brother Jonathan. After the war, the term took on a new meaning. It became a patriotic symbol that people used throughout the whole country. According to one story, the name Brother Jonathan probably came from a real man. It was George Washington’s nickname for his friend, the great Jonathan Trumbull. Trumbull was the governor of Connecticut Colony. He was the only governor who supported the revolution before the war. He often advised Washington on important matters. He was also a big help to the colonial Continental Army. Trumbull was an experienced merchant, so he knew how to find the supplies the army needed. He delivered food, clothing, and ammunition to the soldiers. In times of trouble, General Washington would announce that it was time to ask Brother Jonathan for help. Today, Jonathan Trumbull and his nickname are still remembered. There is a statue in honor of Trumbull in Washington, D.C. And from time to time, people still refer to someone who is a true patriot as Brother Jonathan. 4. Which fact does not support the idea that Jonathan Trumbull was a true patriot? A. Trumbull delivered supplies to the Continental Army. B. Trumbull was an experienced merchant. C. Trumbull advised Washington on important matters. D. Trumbull was the only governor who supported the revolution before the war.

5. Which of the following is an opinion? A. Jonathan Trumbull was a friend of George Washington. B. Jonathan Trumbull was the governor of Connecticut. C. Jonathan Trumbull delivered food, clothing, and ammunition to the soldiers. D. Jonathan Trumbull’s nickname became an interesting symbol.

6. Which statement about Jonathan Trumbull is a fact? A. He was the only governor who supported the revolution before the war. B. Jonathan was also a big help to the colonial Continental Army. C. Jonathan was truly an amazing patriot. D. In times of trouble, General Washington could not have managed without him. Traitor or Hero?

How should Benedict Arnold be remembered: as a traitor, or as a hero of the American Revolution? I’m not sure this question has a simple answer. Arnold joined the Patriot militia in 1774. After the Revolutionary War began in 1775, he helped lead the capture of Fort Ticonderoga from the British. Later that year, he led over a thousand soldiers into Canada, was wounded in battle, and earned a promotion for bravery. In October of 1777, he was again seriously wounded as he led his soldiers against the forces of the British general Burgoyne. Arnold’s courageous leadership helped the Americans win one of their most important victories in the war. But in 1780, Arnold worked out a plan with the British to surrender an important American military base in exchange for money. After his plan was discovered, he escaped and joined the British army. Why did he do this? Many historians believe that Arnold felt his country had treated him unfairly. He was disappointed when he was passed over for a promotion. He was also accused of being too easy on Americans who were loyal to the British. This may have angered him. The British never paid Arnold all the money he asked for. The land they gave him in Canada was not useful to him. When Arnold died in 1801, he had become poor, discouraged, and lonely, for he was a man few people trusted. Arnold was a traitor, it is true. But we should not forget that he performed several heroic acts that helped our nation win its independence. 7. Which of the following statements is a fact from the passage? A. Benedict Arnold should be remembered as a hero of the American Revolution. B. Benedict Arnold was seriously wounded as he led his soldiers against the forces of the British general Burgoyne. C. Benedict Arnold was too easy on Americans who were loyal to the British. D. Benedict Arnold’s country treated him unfairly. 8. Which of the following statements is an opinion from the passage? A. After Benedict Arnold’s plan was discovered, he escaped and joined the British army. B. It may have angered Benedict Arnold when he was accused of being too easy on Americans who were loyal to the British. C. The British never paid Arnold all the money he asked for. D. Benedict Arnold helped lead the capture of Fort Ticonderoga from the British. 9. Which of the following statements is an opinion from the passage? A. Benedict Arnold was a traitor. B. Benedict Arnold joined the Patriot militia in 1774. C. We should not forget that Benedict Arnold performed several heroic acts that helped our nation win its independence. D. Benedict Arnold died in 1801.