The Dog and the Reflection - Weebly

Which of the following is the BEST objective summary of the fable? a. “The Dog and the Reflection” by Aesop teaches the lesson to be thankful for what

you have instead of always wanting more. A dog had a piece of meat but wanted another piece that he thought was better. He dropped the piece of meat into a stream and lost it only to find out he was looking at his reflection. In the end, he was left with nothing.

b. “The Dog and the Reflection” by Aesop teaches the lesson to be thankful for what you have instead of always wanting more. The grass is not always greener on the other side, and people should not want what does not belong to them. The dog made a stupid mistake which cost him everything. He dropped the piece of meat into a stream, and in the end, he was left with nothing.

c. “The Dog and the Reflection” by Aesop teaches the lesson to be thankful for what you have instead of always wanting more. A dog had a nice, large piece of meat. He walked over to a bridge across a stream. He was looking at his reflection, but he did not realize this. He wanted the piece of meat that his reflection had, so he dropped his own piece to try and get the other piece of meat. The current, however carried his piece of meat away. In the end, the dog had nothing at all. He should have kept the one he had.

d. “The Dog and the Reflection” by Aesop teaches the lesson to be thankful for what you have instead of always wanting more. According to the story, the dog “let go of his own, and flew at the other dog to get the larger piece.” This was wrong, and it teaches the reader the lesson that you should be satisfied with what you have. The grass is not always greener on the other side.

The Dog and the Reflection A Dog was crossing a plank bridge over a stream with a piece of meat in his mouth when he happened to see his own reflection in the water. He thought it was another dog with a piece of meat twice as big, so he let go of his own piece of meant and flew at the other dog to get the larger piece. But, of course, all that happened was that he got neither, for one was only a reflection, and the other was carried away by a strong, fast current. -By Aesop

But, of course, all that happened was that he got neither; for one was only a reflection, and the other was carried away by a strong, fast current. 2. Explain why the comma is in between the words strong and fast. __________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Explain how the setting affects the plot. a. The dog was on a plank bridge which caused the conflict. b. The stream allowed the dog to see his reflection which led to the conflict. c. The stream had a current in it which caused the climax. d. The bridge was over a stream which caused the theme.

Which of the following is the BEST objective summary of the fable? a. “The Fox and the Grapes” by Aesop teaches the lesson that a person should not make excuses

and give up on what is hard to do. The fox was very hungry. He saw grapes hanging and tried as hard as he could to reach them by jumping up very high. But even though he tried very hard, the grapes were too high, and he could not reach them. So, he gave up and walked away. However, instead of admitting that he couldn’t reach them, he made up a lie and said that the reason he could not reach them was because they were sour.

b. “The Fox and the Grapes” by Aesop teaches the lesson that a person should not make excuses and give up on what is hard to do. The fox wanted some grapes, but he could not jump up high enough to reach them. After giving up, the fox made up the excuse that the grapes were sour. Therefore, the fox tried to act like something was wrong with the grapes instead of saying they were hard to reach.

c. “The Fox and the Grapes” by Aesop teaches the lesson that a person should not make excuses and give up on what is hard to do. First of all, the fox was very hungry. He should have tried to find something else to eat instead of the grapes that were too high. He couldn’t reach them, so instead of admitting that they were too high, the fox tried to say that he did not get them because they were sour. A ton of people do this in life. They make excuses instead of owning up to what they cannot do.

d. “The Fox and the Grapes” by Aesop teaches the lesson that a person should not make excuses and give up on what is hard to do. The fox wanted some grapes, and he “did his best to reach them by jumping as high as he could into the air. “ When he couldn’t reach them, he made up an excuse by saying the grapes were sour, and he didn’t want them anyway.

The Fox and the Grapes A hungry Fox saw some fine bunches of Grapes hanging from a vine that was trained along the branches of a tree. The fox did his best to reach them by jumping as high as he could into the air. But it was all in vain, for they were just out of reach. So, he gave up trying and walked away with an air of dignity and unconcern, remarking, "I thought those Grapes were ripe, but I see now they are quite sour.” – By Aesop

Which word means the same thing as the underlined word dignity? a. shame b. intelligence c. pride d. rudeness

What does the underlined part in vain mean? a. useless b. beneficial c. helpful d. wrong

Which of the following best helps to develop the theme of this fable? a. The grapes were high on a vine. b. The fox could not jump. c. The fox walked away unconcerned. d. The grapes were ripe.

Which of the following is the BEST objective summary of the fable? a. “The Fox and the Crow” by Aesop teaches the lesson that one should not trust flatterers. The

crow should have known that the fox was up to something when the fox began to talk about how beautiful and wonderful she was. In the end, the fox took the crow’s cheese and basically insulted the crow by calling her stupid.

b. “The Fox and the Crow” by Aesop teaches the lesson that one should not trust flatterers. The fox began by saying, “What a noble bird I see above me!” The fox then began to flatter the crow by telling her she was beautiful and that he knew her voice would be sweet. Finally, the crow decided to sing, and according to the story, “down came the cheese”. This teaches the lesson that flattery can make someone make unwise decisions.

c. “The Fox and the Crow” by Aesop teaches the lesson that one should not trust flatterers. The fox wanted to trick the crow into letting go of her cheese. After paying the crow many compliments, the flattered crow opened her mouth to sing for the fox. At this point, the cheese fell out, and the fox got it.

d. “The Fox and the Crow” by Aesop teaches the lesson that one should not trust flatterers. The crow was sitting on a branch. She had some cheese in her mouth, and the fox wanted to get the cheese. The fox told the crow that she was noble and beautiful, and that she should be the queen of all of the birds. The crow was very flattered by the fox’s compliments, so to show the fox just how well she could sing, she opened her mouth to give out a loud caw. At this point, the cheese fell down, and the fox snatched it up.

The Fox and the Crow A Fox once saw a Crow fly off with a piece of cheese in its beak and settle on a branch of a green pine tree. "That's for me, as I am a Fox," said Master Reynard, and he walked up to the foot of the tree. "Good day, Mistress Crow," he cried. "How well you are looking today. How glossy your feathers! How bright your eye.! I feel sure your voice must surpass that of other birds, just as your beauty does. Let me hear but one song from you that I may greet you as the Queen of Birds." The Crow lifted up her head and began to caw her best, but the moment she opened her mouth, the piece of cheese fell to the ground, only to be snapped up by Master Fox. "That will do," said he. "That was all I wanted. In exchange for your cheese I will give you a piece of advice for the future. Never trust flatterers.” - Aesop

A Fox once saw a Crow fly off with a piece of cheese in its beak and settle on a branch of a green pine tree. 2. Reread this sentence. Explain why a comma is NOT needed in between the two adjectives green and pine. __________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Which of the following helps to develop the theme of this fable the most?

a. the setting – The crow was on a branch of a green pine tree. b. Fox’s words – the things that the fox says to the crow, like “How well you are

looking today.” c. the bird’s actions – The bird wanted to give the fox the cheese. d. the bird’s actions –flying with the cheese in its beak

Which of the following is the BEST objective summary of the fable? a. “The Gnat and the Bull” by Aesop teaches the lesson that we are often of greater

importance in our own eyes than in the eyes of others. The gnat was wrong to think highly of itself. The gnat thought it was bothering the bull, but the bull did not even know the gnat was there.

b. “The Gnat and the Bull” by Aesop teaches the lesson that we are often of greater importance in our own eyes than in the eyes of others. A gnat was resting on a bull, and when it was ready to fly away, the gnat asked the bull if he minded if he left. The bull told the gnat he didn’t care, that he never knew he was there to start with. In conclusion, the gnat thought he was important, but the bull did not.

c. “The Gnat and the Bull” by Aesop teaches the lesson that we are often of greater importance in our own eyes than in the eyes of others. When the gnat was ready to leave the bull’s back it asked, “Do you mind if I go now?” The bull replied, “It’s all one to me; I didn’t notice when you came, and I won’t know when you go away.” This shows that the gnat thought he was important, but he really was not.

d. “The Gnat and the Bull” by Aesop teaches the lesson that we are often of greater importance in our own eyes than in the eyes of others. A gnat should have known that the bull would not feel it. A bull is huge compared to a small gnat. It is no wonder that the bull had no idea that the gnat had even been there. The gnat learned a lesson, that he was not very important.

The Gnat and the Bull A Gnat alighted on one of the horns of a Bull and remained sitting there for a considerable time. When it had rested sufficiently and was about to fly away, it said to the Bull, "Do you mind if I go now?" The Bull merely raised his eyes and remarked, without interest, "It's all one to me. I didn't notice when you came, and I won’t know when you go away.” – By Aesop

2. Which of the following definitions best fits the underlined word alighted? a. studied b. stuck c. landed d. ignored

3. Which of the following words best fits the definition of the word sufficiently? a. enough b. long c. slept d. easy

4. Which of the following best contributes to the development of the theme in this fable? a. the setting – the gnat sat on the bull for a long time. b. the characters – The gnat was concerned but the bull was not. c. the climax – The gnat was about to fly away. d. the author’s word choice

Which of the following is the BEST objective summary of the fable? a. “The Tortoise and the Eagle” by Aesop teaches the lesson that if man had all he wished for, he

would often be ruined. The tortoise was not happy just staying on the ground. It wanted to fly, which was a bad idea to have. The eagle decided to help the tortoise, but in the end the tortoise fell and was killed. The tortoise should not have tried to fly.

b. “The Tortoise and the Eagle” by Aesop teaches the lesson that if man had all he wished for, he would often be ruined. The tortoise was unhappy with his own abilities and talked the eagle into teaching him to fly. After taking him into the sky, the eagle let go of the tortoise, and the tortoise fell to its death.

c. “The Tortoise and the Eagle” by Aesop teaches the lesson that if man had all he wished for, he would often be ruined. According to the story, the tortoise was “discontented” and “envious”. He watched the birds show off in the air, and begged the eagle to teach him to fly. The Eagle tried to tell the tortoise that it was a bad idea, but the tortoise promised him treasures and finally talked the eagle into it. The Eagle picked up the tortoise in its talons and took the tortoise high into the sky. When the eagle let go, however, the tortoise fell to the ground and was killed.

d. “The Tortoise and the Eagle” by Aesop teaches the lesson that if man had all he wished for, he would often be ruined. This is a very important lesson to think about. People should be thankful that they do not have everything that they want. They say money is the root of all evil, and this can be true. The tortoise should have been happy with what it had instead of wanting what it did not have.

The Tortoise and the Eagle A Tortoise, discontent with his lowly life, and envious of the birds he saw showing off in the air, begged an Eagle to teach him to fly. The Eagle protested that it was useless for him to try, as nature had not provided him with wings, but the Tortoise pressed him with requests and promises of treasure, insisting that it could only be a question of learning the craft of the air. So at length the Eagle agreed to do the best he could for him and picked him up in his talons. After soaring with him to a great height in the sky, he let him go. The sad, wretched Tortoise fell headlong and was dashed to pieces on a rock. - By Aesop

2. Which of the following definitions best fits the underlined word discontented? a. unhappy b. bored c. whining d. satisfied 3. What are talons? __________________________________________________________________

After soaring with him to a great height in the sky, he let him go. 4. Explain why the comma is after sky. __________________________________________________________________________

The sad, wretched Tortoise fell headlong and was dashed to pieces on a rock.

5. Explain why the comma is in between sad and wretched. __________________________________________________________________________________

Which of the following is the BEST objective summary of the fable? a. “The Crab and His Mother” by Aesop teaches the lesson that it is best to lead by

example. After instructing her son not to walk sideways, her son, who could not seem to master the task, asked his mother to demonstrate how to walk straight. When she tried herself, she found that this was impossible.

b. “The Crab and His Mother” by Aesop teaches the lesson that it is best to lead by example. The crab was walking sideways one day and his mother asked him why he was walking that way. She told him that he needed to walk straight. The young crab asked his mother to show him how to do this so that he could follow her example. She tired, but she could not do it. After she realized it was impossible, she felt foolish.

c. “The Crab and His Mother” by Aesop teaches the lesson that it’s not what’s on the outside that counts but what is on the inside. The mother crab was judging her child by the way he walked sideways. She did not think this was right. However, after trying to walk sideways herself, she felt foolish. She should not have judged her son by the way he walked.

d. “The Crab and His Mother” by Aesop teaches the lesson that what goes around comes around. The mother crab tries to tell her son to walk straight instead of sideways. Then, when she tries to show him, she realizes it is impossible. This shows that what goes around comes around because what her son could not do, she could not do either.

The Crab and His Mother An old blue Crab said to her son, "Why do you walk sideways like that, my son? You ought to walk straight." The Young Crab replied, "Show me how, dear mother, and I'll follow your example." The Old Crab tried, but tried in vain, and then saw how foolish she had been to find fault with her child. -By Aesop

2. Which of the following definitions best fits the underlined words in vain? a. not good enough b. it was of no use c. extremely hard d. without help

An old blue Crab said to her son, “Why do you walk sideways like that, my son?...” 3. Sometimes a comma should be placed between two adjectives. The underlined words old and blue are adjectives. Explain why a comma is NOT needed between these two adjectives. ___________________________________________________________________________________

4. Which of the following best contributes to the development of theme in this fable? a. The setting – The crabs are trying to walk on sand and cannot. b. The mother’s actions and her dialogue. c. The author’s word choice like dear and old. d. The son’s character traits - submissive

Which of the following is the BEST objective summary of the fable? a. “The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” by Aesop teaches the lesson that appearances can be deceptive.

In order to capture a sheep, a wolf dressed as a sheep. The shepherd wanted mutton for supper that night and being deceived into believing that the wolf was a sheep, the shepherd killed the wolf.

b. “The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” by Aesop teaches the lesson that appearances can be deceptive. It was an unfortunate day for the wolf because the shepherd was deceived into thinking the wolf was a sheep. In the end, the wolf got what he deserved because the shepherd killed him.

c. “The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” by Aesop teaches the lesson that appearances can be deceptive. In order to capture a sheep, a wolf “resolved to disguise himself”. The shepherd wanted mutton for supper that night and being deceived into believing that the wolf was a sheep, the shepherd killed the wolf.

d. “The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” by Aesop teaches the lesson that appearances can be deceptive. The wolf preyed upon an entire flock of sheep, but since he was disguised, the wolf had no fear of detection. The flock was penned in for the night, and the wolf, who looked like a sheep, was penned up with them. The shepherd wanted mutton for supper that night and being deceived into believing that the wolf was a sheep, the shepherd killed the wolf with a knife.

The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing A Wolf resolved to disguise himself in order that he might prey upon a flock of sheep without fear of detection. So he clothed himself in a sheepskin and slipped among the sheep when they were out at pasture. He completely deceived the shepherd, and when the flock was penned for the night, he was shut in with the rest. But that very night as it happened, the shepherd, requiring a supply of mutton for the table, laid hands on the Wolf in mistake for a Sheep and killed him with his knife on the spot. -By Aesop

2. Which of the following definitions best fits the underlined word deceived? a. tricked b. hid from c. lied to d. saw

So he clothed himself in a sheepskin and slipped among the sheep when they were out at pasture. 3. Explain why a comma is NOT needed before the word and in this sentence. ___________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Explain how the setting shapes the plot.

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Which of the following is the BEST objective summary of the fable? a. “The Fox and the Monkey” by Aesop teaches the lesson that boasters brag most when they

cannot be detected. While on a road together, the fox and monkey got into a dispute over which one had better ancestors. They came to a cemetery that was full of tombstones. The monkey pointed to the tombs and bragged that all of the tombs were of his ancestors who were “eminent men”. The fox did not know what to say to this, but realized that the monkey was bragging and said, “I’m sure none of your ancestors will rise up and expose you”.

b. “The Fox and the Monkey” by Aesop teaches the lesson that it is never good to argue. The fox and monkey get into an argument, and the fox wins because the monkey is only bragging.

c. “The Fox and the Monkey” by Aesop teaches the lesson that show-offs brag most when nobody is around to oppose their boasts. The monkey and fox were in a graveyard, and the monkey was bragging by saying that every tomb present represented the greatness of his ancestors. The fox then pointed out that of course nobody was around to expose what he may be lying about.

d. “The Fox and the Monkey” by Aesop teaches the lesson that secrets should not be told in graveyards. The monkey and fox were in a graveyard when the monkey tells the fox a secret. The monkey confides in the fox and foolishly tells him that all of his ancestors were great men who have died. The fox then tells the monkey that nobody there can confirm this, so the secret should not have been told there.

The Fox and the Monkey A Fox and a Monkey were on the road together and fell into a dispute as to which of the two was the better born. They kept it up for some time until they came to a place where the road passed through a cemetery full of monuments. The Monkey stopped and looked about him and gave a great sigh. "Why do you sigh?" said the Fox. The Monkey pointed to the tombs and replied, "All the monuments that you see here were put up in honor of my forefathers, who in their day were eminent men." The Fox was speechless for a moment, but quickly recovering he said, "Oh! Don't stop at any lie, sir. You're quite safe. I'm sure none of your ancestors will rise up and expose you." Boasters brag most when they cannot be detected. -By Aesop

2. Which of the following definitions best fits the underlined word dispute? a. argument b. game c. lie d. secret "All the monuments that you see here were put up in honor of my forefathers, who in their day

were eminent men." 3. Which of the following is the best definition for the underlined word eminent? a. famous b. unknown c. rich d. Poor

4. Explain how the setting shapes the plot.

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Which of the following is the BEST objective summary of the fable? a. “The Bald Man and the Fly” by Aesop teaches the lesson that harm often comes to a person

when he/she least expects it. The bald man did not expect to harm himself, but the fly knew that it would happen. The bald man tells the fly that he would hurt himself even more if needed in order to rid himself of the pest.

b. “The Bald Man and the Fly” by Aesop teaches the lesson that satisfaction often comes from hurting others. The fly was extremely annoying to the bald man, so in order to kill it, the bald man slapped himself on the head. The fly, however, escaped. In my opinion, the fly outsmarted the bald man, even though the man received some satisfaction in attempting to kill the fly.

c. “The Bald Man and the Fly” by Aesop teaches the lesson that if one takes notice of despicable enemies, he is likely to bring injury on himself. In an attempt to kill the fly, the bald man slapped himself. After the fly taunts the man, the man also admits that he would have injured himself even more in order to rid himself of the fly.

d. “The Bald Man and the Fly” by Aesop teaches the lesson what goes around comes around. The man missed the fly and slapped himself. Next, the fly taunts, “You tried to kill me for just one little bit. What will you do to yourself now, for the heavy smack you have just given yourself?” Then the man replies that he did not intend to hurt himself but that he would willingly hurt himself even more if needed to kill the fly.

The Bald Man and the Fly A Fly settled on the head of a Bald Man and bit him. In his eagerness to kill it, he hit himself with a smart slap. But the Fly escaped and said to him disrespectfully, "You tried to kill me for just one little bite. What will you do to yourself now, for the heavy smack you have just given yourself?" "Oh, for that blow I hold no grudge," he replied, "for I never intended myself any harm. But as for you, you contemptible insect, who lives by sucking human blood, I'd have done a good deal more than that for the satisfaction of dashing the life out of you!” - By Aesop

2. Which of the following definitions would best fit in place of the underlined word smart? a. intelligent b. stinging c. neat d. clever “But as for you, you contemptible insect, who lives by sucking human blood, I'd have done a good deal

more than that for the satisfaction of dashing the life out of you!” 3. Explain why a comma is placed after the word insect and after the word blood in this sentence. ___________________________________________________________________________________

4. Which of the following best contributes to the development of the theme in this fable? a. The setting is a kitchen. b. The bald man’s desire to kill the fly c. The resolution when the bald man says “I’d have done a good deal more than that for the

satisfaction of dashing the life out of you.” d. The word choice that the author uses.

Which of the following is the BEST objective summary of the fable? a. “The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg” by Aesop teaches the lesson that it is what is on the

inside and not the outside that counts. Even though the goose was laying one golden egg a day, on the inside, the goose had no golden eggs. The couple should not have killed the goose. Instead, they should have been happy with one golden egg per day.

b. “The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg” by Aesop teaches the lesson that people should not be greedy. A couple owned a goose that laid a golden egg every day. Out of greed, the couple decided to kill the goose in order to have “all of the golden eggs” inside of the goose. When they killed it, the couple found that their goose was just like every other goose. She had no eggs inside of her. Their greed left them without a goose and without daily golden eggs. Greed will always end in destruction. That is why people must watch out for it.

c. “The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg” by Aesop teaches the lesson that all that glitters is not gold. A couple had a goose that laid golden eggs, but on the inside the goose had no gold at all. According to the story, “She had no golden eggs inside of her at all, and they had no more golden eggs”.

d. “The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg” by Aesop teaches the lesson that greed results in nothing. A man and his wife owned a goose that daily laid a golden egg. In order to receive all of the golden eggs at once, the couple killed the goose, but found no golden eggs inside. Not only did they lose the goose, they also lost the daily golden egg.

The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg A man and his wife owned a very special goose. Every day the goose would lay a golden egg, which made the couple very rich. "Just think," said the man's wife, "If we could have all the golden eggs that are inside the goose, we could be richer much faster.” "You're right," said her husband, "We wouldn't have to wait for the goose to lay her egg every day." So, the couple killed the goose and cut her open, only to find that she was just like every other goose. She had no special golden eggs inside of her at all, and they had no more golden eggs. -By Aesop

She had no special golden eggs inside of her at all, and they had no more golden eggs.

2. Sometimes, a comma is needed in between two adjectives. Explain why no comma is need between the two adjectives special and golden.

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3. Which of the following best contributes to the development of the theme? a. the setting – The story is set on a farm. b. the characters’ motives- The couple killed the goose to get more eggs. c. the husband’s silly personality trait d. the plot- the goose laying eggs

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The Cat and the Mice There was once a house that was overrun with Mice. A Cat heard of this and said to herself, "That's the place for me," and off she went and took up her quarters in the house. The cat caught the Mice one by one and ate them. At last the Mice could stand it no longer, and they determined to take to their holes and stay there. "That's awkward," said the Cat to herself: "the only thing to do is to coax them out by a trick." So she considered a while, and then she climbed up the wall and let herself hang down by her hind legs from a peg and pretended to be dead. By and by a Mouse peeped out and saw the Cat hanging there. "Aha!" it cried. “You're very clever, madam, no doubt, but you may turn yourself into a bag of meal hanging there if you like, yet you won't catch us coming anywhere near you." If you are wise, you won't be deceived by the innocent appearances of those whom you have once found to be dangerous.

Write an objective summary for this fable on the lines below. Remember, an objective summary must be put in your own words, cannot contain opinions, focuses on the main idea, and omits minor details.

The Crow and the Pitcher A thirsty Crow found a Pitcher with some water in it, but so little was there that, try as she might, she could not reach it with her beak, and it seemed as though she would die of thirst within sight of the remedy. At last she hit upon a clever plan. She began dropping pebbles into the Pitcher, and with each pebble the water rose a little higher until at last it reached the brim, and the knowing bird was enabled to quench her thirst. Necessity is the mother of invention.


The Monkey as King At a gathering of all the animals, the Monkey danced and delighted them so much that they made him their King. The Fox, however, was very much disgusted at the promotion of the Monkey. So having one day found a trap with a piece of meat in it, the Fox took the Monkey there and said to him, "Here is a dainty morsel I have found, sire; I did not take it myself because I thought it ought to be reserved for you, our King. Will you be pleased to accept it?" The Monkey made at once for the meat and got caught in the trap. Then he bitterly reproached the Fox for leading him into danger, but the Fox only laughed and said, "O Monkey, you call yourself King of the Beasts and haven't more sense than to be taken in like that!"


The Mouse, The Crow, and The Hawk A Mouse and a Frog struck up a friendship; they were not well mated, for the Mouse lived entirely on land while the Frog was equally at home on land or in the water. In order that they might never be separated, the Frog tied himself and the Mouse together by the leg with a piece of thread. As long as they kept on dry land, all went fairly well. However, coming to the edge of a pool, the Frog jumped in, taking the Mouse with him, and began swimming about and croaking with pleasure. The unhappy Mouse, however, was soon drowned, and he floated about on the surface in the wake of the Frog. There the mouse was spied by a Hawk, who pounced down on him and seized him in his talons. The Frog was unable to loosen the knot which bound him to the Mouse, and thus he was carried off along with him and eaten by the Hawk.


The Fox Without a Tail A fox once fell into a trap, and after a struggle, managed to get free but with the loss of his tail. He was then so much ashamed of his appearance that he thought life was not worth living unless he could persuade the other Foxes to part with their tails also, and thus divert attention from his own loss. So he called a meeting of all the Foxes and advised them to cut off their tails. "They're ugly things anyhow," he said, "and besides they're heavy, and it's tiresome to be always carrying them about with you." But one of the other Foxes said, "My friend, if you hadn't lost your own tail, you wouldn't be so keen on getting us to cut off ours.”


Child Labor—An American Memory By Janice Anders

Think About It When you think of the social problems that have plagued America’s past, what do you think about? The Civil Rights Movement of the mid 20th Century probably comes to mind. Or the struggle women undertook in the early 20th Century to secure their right to vote. Or the slavery issue that sent our northern states into a long, bloody civil war with our southern states. But would you think of child labor? Probably not. Child labor is an often forgotten social problem that plagued America from its earliest days until it was finally outlawed by the Fair Labor Standards Act in the 1930s. What is Child Labor? “So what is child labor?” you may be asking yourself. Simply put, child labor is the employment of children in jobs. It can cover a wide range of jobs, not all of them bad. But for the most part, the American problem was horrible. It often involved placing children into inappropriate or even dangerous work environments. For example, during Industrialization, it was not uncommon for children to work right alongside adults from sunrise to sundown in factories and mills. Some History By the 1830s, America had laws on the books that restricted the employment of young children in certain industries, but these laws were lax and went unenforced. Adding to the problem was the view that child labor wasn’t a big problem. In rural areas, kids had always helped out on the farms, so thinking of children working in mills and factories didn’t raise many eyebrows. Also, many people believed that giving children the opportunity to work helped lower class families that could use the extra money to survive. The Child Labor Reform Movement Many Americans were growing concerned about the child labor problem in America, and they worked hard to reform child labor. In 1904, a group called the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC) was established. It worked to raise awareness of child labor issues . Also in the early 1900s, a photographer named Lewis Hine took many pictures of children working in factories and mills. These photographs were viewed by the public and greatly swayed public opinion. Many states started passing stricter laws regarding the employment of minors. In the late 1930s, the labor reform movement had a major victory when Congress passed the Fair Labor Standards Act. Minors over age 16 could only work in non-hazardous occupations, and the age of 18 was set as the minimum age for working in hazardous jobs. A Global Problem? Although child labor has been all but eradicated in America, it continues to be a problem throughout the world. Many countries still allow the exploitation of children in a variety of jobs. There are many international organizations currently monitoring the child labor problem across the globe and working to stop the mistreatment of children everywhere. They send a very clear message to any country still allowing this horrible practice—stop child labor now!

“Child Labor- An American Memory” Which of the following is the BEST objective summary of the article?

a. The article “Child Labor - An American Memory” by Janice Anders explains the injustices of child labor until it was outlawed in the 1930s. When child labor was legal, children were working long hours under often dangerous conditions. Even though there were laws set during the 1800s to prevent young children from working, these laws were not enforced, and many looked upon child labor as beneficial to families. It was not until the 1930s when the Fair Labor Standards Act was passed that set laws preventing children under the age of sixteen from working in hazardous jobs. While in America, child labor has ended, this continues to be a serious issue in other countries.

b. The article “Child Labor- An American Memory” by Janice Anders explains the injustices of child labor until it was outlawed in the 1930s. Children were forced to work in dangerous jobs and often worked from sun up to sun down right alongside adults. By the 1830s, there were laws on the books that prohibited young children from working, but nobody paid any attention to these laws. Kids helped out on the farms, which was needed during this time because there was so much work to do. Children who came from poor families also worked to help make ends meet. In 1904, a committee was established to help bring awareness to the tremendous problem. There was also a photographer who took pictures of kids working. These pictures helped people see the big problem. In the 1930s, a law was passed preventing children under the age of 16 from working. Child labor is a global problem to this day. In other countries, children are still forced to work. There are still organizations that fight against child labor everywhere around the world.

c. The article “Child Labor – An American Memory” by Janice Anders explains the injustices of child labor until it was outlawed in the 1930s. According to the article, “the American problem was horrible. It often involved placing children into inappropriate or even dangerous work environments.” Finally in the 1930s, laws were set in place to end child labor in America. However, the problem still exists in other countries, and there are organizations who work globally to end child labor everywhere.

d. The article “Child Labor- An American Memory” by Janice Anders explains the injustices of child labor until it was outlawed in the 1930s. There has never been a more dangerous problem for America than child labor. Children were forced to work long hours in dangerous jobs. In the 1930s , thanks to the help of a photographer, an act was passed that ended child labor. This most likely saved the lives of thousands of children. Today, however, the struggle continues. We all must join forces to help end child labor all over the world.

Or the slavery issue that sent our northern states into a long, bloody civil war with our southern states. Explain why the comma is used between the words long and bloody. _______________________________________________________________________ What text structure is mainly used under the heading The Child Labor Reform Movement? a. compare/contrast b. problem/solution c. chronological order d. description

McDonald's in global profit free fall as people everywhere increasingly reject chemically-altered toxic fast food

By Mike Adams

For decades, McDonald's has been the poster child of chemically-altered factory-made fast food. While preying on the emotional imprinting of children with on-site playgrounds and social engineering marketing tactics, the restaurant's true fundamental ethics are reflected in the horrors of the factory food industry: imprisoned chickens in tiny cages, genetically modified soy as meat fillers, chemically-altered menu ingredients and a geopolitical form of processed food imperialism that has resulted in McDonald's restaurants "occupying" hundreds of nations around the world while exporting obesity, diabetes and heart disease globally. Slowly but surely, the public has increasingly caught on to the McDonald's sleight-of-food stage magic. Feel-good advertising can't cover up the truth about its inhumane treatment of animals, genetically modified food ingredients and insidious social programming that tries to equate the restaurant with an emotional state of bliss. "Happy Meal..." seriously? I doubt the chickens who were slaughtered for that meal were very happy... Corporate earnings in free fall Now, the global restaurant chain is feeling the financial vacuum that happens when people realize you've been feeding them poison. Corporate earnings are "in an absolute free fall", reports Quartz.com. "McDonald’s announced today that sales at stores open at least a year were down more 1.7% worldwide, and dropped 4% in the all important US market." And where are people going instead? To restaurants like Chipotle, which was once owned in large part by McDonald's but has since branched off and found a groove with more health-conscious customers who really do give a hoot where their food ingredients come from. In this process, McDonald's, which has been far too slow to wake up to the reality of informed consumers and food transparency, has become a sort of garbage food depot for the nutritionally ignorant. It's the kind of place that attracts people who are so uninformed about food and nutrition that they think Kraft Macaroni and Cheese contains real cheese. Or that the "All Natural" label claim means organic. Desperate to make up for lost ground, McDonald's has announced its intention to remove "human antibiotics" from its chicken meat supply. In a document entitled, McDonald’s Global Vision for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Food Animals," the company says it hopes to “prohibit the use of antimicrobials in food animals that are by WHO definition 'critically important' to human medicine, and not presently approved for veterinary use."

“McDonald's in global profit free fall as people everywhere increasingly reject chemically-altered toxic fast food”

1. Which of the following is the BEST objective summary of the article? a. The article “McDonald’s in Global Profit Free Fall As People Everywhere Increasingly Reject

Chemically-Altered Toxic Fast Food” by Mike Adams discusses McDonald's problem with processed food. It is disgusting how McDonald’s has tried to appeal to young children with happy meals when their chicken nuggets and other foods are made of ingredients that are bad for people’s health. People have started to catch on and are now going to places like Chipotle instead. McDonald’s has suffered financially because people are finding out about their fake ingredients, and it is only right that they do so. McDonald’s needs to change! People’s health matters.

b. The article “McDonald’s in Global Profit Free Fall As People Everywhere Increasingly Reject Chemically-Altered Toxic Fast Food” by Mike Adams discusses the financial decline that McDonald’s has suffered over the past few years. According to the article, sales have dropped “more 1.7% worldwide, and dropped 4% in the all important US market”. This is due mainly to their chemically altered menu. Now that people are more educated about how important it is to eat “real” organic food, they are staying away from the mega food chain. As a result, McDonald’s is suffering financially.

c. The article “McDonald’s in Global Profit Free Fall As People Everywhere Increasingly Reject Chemically-Altered Toxic Fast Food” by Mike Adams discusses the problem that McDonald’s finds itself in due to their menu filled with processed food. Slowly, but surely, people have caught on to the fact that McDonald’s food is not something that they need to consume. People are also becoming aware of how poorly McDonald’s treats its chickens. Currently, McDonald’s is realizing its financial hardship that happens when people become educated. Unless people do not care at all where their food comes from, they are avoiding McDonald’s and choosing more healthy places to eat. McDonald’s is just now trying to solve some of their problems by saying that the food chain will remove human antibiotics from their chicken and other meat products.

d. The article “McDonald’s in Global Profit Free Fall As People Everywhere Increasingly Reject Chemically-Altered Toxic Fast Food” by Mike Adams discusses how the public has become aware of McDonald’s use of processed food and inhumane treatment of its chickens. Due to this awareness by consumers, McDonald's has seen a major drop in earnings. In an effort to mend its loss, McDonald’s is now vowing to have human antibiotics removed from its chicken.

For decades, McDonald's has been the poster child of chemically-altered factory-made fast food. 2. What is meant by the words poster child in this sentence?

_________________________________________________________________________________ In this process, McDonald's, which has been far too slow to wake up to the reality of informed consumers and food transparency, has become a sort of garbage food depot for the nutritionally ignorant. 3. Explain why the comma is after the word McDonald’s and after the word transparency.

_________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Reread the last paragraph of the article. Which of the following text structures is mainly used in

this last paragraph? a. compare/contrast b. chronological c. problem/solution d. description

Family Camping Fun While getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life is one of the reasons families choose to go camping, for kids – it’s the ultimate adventure. If you are planning a family camping trip this summer, here are some tips that will ensure your vacation is both a safe and fun experience. 1. Pre-camping preparation If you have small children, you may want to select a tent that will accommodate all of you comfortably. On the other hand, if you are camping with experienced older children, it may be a good idea to purchase additional pup tents to give them some sense of independence. Another great tip is to practice assembling the tents in your backyard so as to avoid wasting time at the camp site. 2. Selecting a campsite Depending upon whether you decide to “rough it” or choose a campsite that is close to amenities, you can research the many campsites online that offer comprehensive information on the area. This will enable you to decide not only what equipment, clothing, and food you need to take, but the available hiking areas and points of interest as well. Ensure that the campsite you select is an official campsite area. Moreover, when researching camping sites, it’s a good idea to look for those areas that are on the high ground. Thus, if it rains, your tent and equipment will not become water logged. 3. Make a checklist. This is very important to ensure you do not forget anything on your camping trip. Among the items on your checklist, some of the more important items you will need are: Cooking gear such as a frying pan, a few pots, a bucket, barbecue grill or stove, bags with a Ziploc, and cooking utensils. In addition, food containers and canned goods are best. It is also recommended that you prepare meals at home and package them in containers for the trip. Also bring water, a can opener, hot water kettle and coffee pot, and a cooler with a block of ice. You will definitely want to serve food to children on paper plates that can be thrown away. Packing the appropriate clothing is also essential. Depending upon the location, wearing light layers is a good idea as well as packing some sweaters and jackets for the evening hours. Extra socks, hats, and gloves may also be warranted. If you intend to engage in some hiking, proper hiking boots are necessary. Sleeping bags, first aid kit, flashlights, cell phone, garbage bags, toiletries, sunscreen, ointments, a map of the area, insect repellent, games for the kids, and rainwear are also all important. 4. Choose an area to set up the tents. Ensure there are no rocks or debris where the tent will be set up. Most campgrounds will post warning signs or instructions regarding specific animals and vegetation. 5. Ensure that it is set up further away from the tents. After you have roasted the marshmallows, sang songs, and told ghost stories, douse the fire before going to bed. Finally, enjoy the entire camping experience. Sleeping under the stars, communing with nature, and relishing the time spent with family will not only bring a family closer together, but the memories of this experience will last forever.

“Family Camping Fun”

Which of the following is the BEST objective summary of the article? a. The article “Family Camping Fun” suggests five tips to ensure that a family has a safe and fun

camping trip. Choosing a campsite is of major importance, along with preparing for the trip prior to going and making a checklist including important things that need to be packed.

b. The article “Family Camping Fun” suggests that camping can be a great deal of fun but only if the family follows certain safety procedures. According to the article, pre-preparation must be completed prior to the trip. People should practice setting up their tents in their backyard before going camping. Selecting a campsite is also important. It is very important to make sure that the campsite is an official campsite area. It is also suggested that tents be set up on high ground to avoid problems with rain. In addition, making a checklist is also important to make sure that campers do not forget needed materials. Campers should also choose to set up their tents away from rocks and debris and away from other campers.

c. The article “Family Camping Fun” suggests that camping can be fun for a family if five important instructions are followed. These five suggestions are the best ones for camping. For example, the article suggests that campers “choose a campsite that is close to amenities”. This makes sense because if you do not set up camp near a restroom, it is going to be scary at night when you have to walk a long way. The article also argues that a list should be made prior to going camping. This will make sure nothing of importance is left behind.

d. The article “Family Camping Fun” suggests campers should only go camping if they are responsible enough to follow five simple rules. If people cannot prepare beforehand, they should not go camping because they will only run into trouble. Making a list and setting up the tent in a safe and reasonable area will aid in a fun, safe trip. Camping is a very good activity for families to draw closer.

You will definitely want to serve food to children on paper plates that can be thrown away.

2. Rewrite this sentence from the article to correct the misplaced modifier. _____________________________________________________________________ On the other hand, if you are camping with experienced older children, it may be a good idea to purchase additional pup tents to give them some sense of independence. 3. A comma is often needed between two adjectives. Explain why a comma is not

needed between the two adjectives experienced and older. _____________________________________________________________________ 4. Which of the following text structures is mainly used in this article? a. compare/contrast b. chronological c. problem/solution d. listing

Easy Ways to Make your Home More Eco-Friendly We all want to do our part to protect the environment, but without a large paycheck, that can seem arduous, if not impossible. But doing your part doesn’t have to be hard. Small steps add up to a big difference, you just have to know which ones to take. Use less water. Saving water is all about small steps, here are a few that will help save big. • Shut off the water while you brush your teeth • Take showers that are a minute or two shorter • Only flush the toilet when you need to • Only run full loads of laundry and dishes • Buy from sustainable producers. These are farmers, ranchers, and other producers that use

techniques that pollute less and use less water. You can do some research online or ask at your local organic market to find these products.

Use less energy. If you don’t have the money to buy a hybrid car or convert your house to solar power, you can make a big difference with small changes. • Buy energy efficient appliances. They may be more expensive, but make up for the increased

cost in lower energy bills. • Unplug chargers when you’re not using them. Cell phones and other chargers use up powers

even if there’s nothing attached to them. • Put devices with remotes, like T.V.s, VCRs, and stereos, on a power strip and turn them off

when you’re not using them. These devices use a lot of power to run the remote receiver even when the device is off

• Walk or ride for short trips on your bike. • Buy local products. It takes energy to transport food and other products across the country.

Buying local not only supports your local economy, it helps them use less energy. When it comes to saving energy and water, it’s a great idea to get the kids involved. You can even make it a game. Have them track how much water and electricity everyone is using. You can compete to see who uses the least water. You can often count on your kids to help keep you on track when given the task. Reuse. Most of us know the three R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle, but when we work on conserving, we often leave reuse out of the picture. While you can often find tips on how to reuse common products from other people, what you need most is creativity. With a little thought there are many items around your home that can be reused – toilet paper holders can be used to sow seeds for the vegetable patch. And old yogurt containers can be cut into strips to make plant labels. Old food jars can be refilled with homemade foods or can make great impromptu vases. We all knowing that going green means better for the environment, but it’s also better for you. Conserving resources also helps save money, which is something most people are happy to live with.

“Easy Ways to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly”

Which of the following is the BEST objective summary of the article? a. The article “Easy Ways to Make Your Home Eco-Friendly” suggests ways to preserve energy.

Saving water is all about small steps like shutting off the water while you brush your teeth. Also if you don’t have the money to buy a hybrid car or convert your house to solar power, you can make a big difference with small changes. You can buy energy efficient appliances. You can unplug chargers when you’re not using them. You can put devices with remotes, like T.V.s, VCRs, and stereos on a power strip and turn it off when you’re not using them. In addition, you can walk or ride your bike for short trips. Finally, people can buy products locally to help.

b. The article “Easy Ways to Make Your Home Eco-Friendly” suggests ways to help the environment by making a home more eco-friendly. Small daily things like using less water, preserving energy, and reusing products can all be beneficial. Conserving resources can save money and also protect the environment.

c. The article “Easy Ways to Make Your Home Eco-Friendly” suggests ways to make a home a better place. Homes are better when water is preserved. What is a home without the amount of water needed? Faucets should be turned off and showers should be shorter. Also, preserving energy in a home makes the home a better place. Chargers need to be unplugged. According to the article, “Cell phone and other chargers use up powers even if there’s nothing attached to them.” Water should not be wasted either. The article reports that “saving water is all about small steps”. These small steps include taking shorter showers and only running full loads of the dish washer or washing machine. Finally, people need to learn to reuse products instead of wasting them.

d. The article “Easy Ways to Make Your Home Eco-Friendly” suggests ways to make the ecosystem more productive. Most people use way too much energy in their homes. I agree with the article where it says that people need to unplug their chargers when they are not in use. In addition to saving energy, people also need to learn to use less water and to reuse products when possible. Conserving these resources will save money as well as the environment.

Walk or ride for short trips on your bike.

2. Rewrite this sentence from the article to correct the misplaced modifier. _____________________________________________________________________ And old yogurt containers can be cut into strip to make plant labels.

Sometimes a comma is needed in between two adjectives. In this sentence, the words old and yogurt are both adjectives because they are describing the container. 3. Explain why a comma is not needed between the two adjectives old and yogurt. _____________________________________________________________________

4. Which of the following text structures is mainly used in this article? a. compare/contrast b. chronological c. problem/solution d. description

–From The Grand Canyon Of Arizona: How To See It By George Wharton James The Grand Canyon, located in Arizona, is one of the great wonders of the world! The rims of the canyon rise up to 9,000 feet above sea level. The canyon is made up of many layers of rock, all of different colors. The contrasts in color are beautiful. Each layer has been given a name by geologists. The top layer is gray limestone and is around 350 feet thick. Many different kinds of animals, such as mountain lions and porcupines, live in or around the Grand Canyon. There are also different kinds of birds and plants that thrive in the Grand Canyon. Though only two hundred and seventeen miles long, no human mind yet has been able to comprehend or interpret to the world what the Grand Canyon expresses within that distance. Famous word-masters have attempted it, great canvas and color masters have tried it, but all alike have failed. It is one of the few things that man is utterly unable to imagine until he comes in actual contact with it. A strange being, a strange, flower, an unknown reptile, a unique, complicated machine, or a strange and unknown anything, almost, within the ken of man, can be explained to another so that he will reasonably comprehend it; but this is not so with the Grand Canyon.

“From the Grand Canyon of Arizona: How to See It”

Which of the following is the BEST objective summary of the article? a. The article “From the Grand Canyon of Arizona: How to See It” by George Wharton Jones

describes the majesty and greatness of the Grand Canyon. There is no place on earth as beautiful, and everyone should visit it at some point in his/her lifetime. Many have tried to capture the beauty of the Grand Canyon by painting it or photographing it, but these means of art cannot do the wonder of nature justice. It is a place that can not be understood unless one is standing there.

b. The article “From the Grand Canyon of Arizona: How to See It” by George Wharton Jones describes just how big the Grand Canyon is. The canyon rises 9,000 feet above sea level. It is two hundred and seventeen miles long. The Grand Canyon is made of layers and the top level is approximately 350 feet deep.

c. The article “From the Grand Canyon of Arizona: How to See It” by George Wharton Jones describes how wonderful and indescribable the Grand Canyon is. Made up of layers of rock, the canyon boasts different colors. Various wildlife can be found throughout its 217 mile radius. While many have tried to capture the essence of the Grand Canyon, it is argued that one must visit in order to truly perceive its vastness and majesty.

d. The article “From the Grand Canyon of Arizona: How to See It” by George Wharton Jones describes what to do when visiting the Grand Canyon. According to the article, “the rims of the canyon rise up to 9,000 feet above sea level”. When visiting, people can see all types of wildlife. While many artists have tried to capture the beauty of the Grand Canyon, none of them have ever been able to capture its true beauty. It is a place that one must see to believe.

Though only two hundred and seventeen miles long, no human mind yet has been able to comprehend or interpret to the world what the Grand Canyon expresses within that distance. 2. Rewrite this sentence from the article to correct the misplaced modifier. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ a unique, complicated machine.

Sometimes a comma is needed in between two adjectives. In this phrase, the words unique and complicated are both adjectives because they are describing the machine. 3. Explain why a comma is needed between the two adjectives unique and complicated. _____________________________________________________________________ 4. Which of the following text structures is mainly used in this article? a. compare/contrast b. chronological c. problem/solution d. description

How Animals Use Senses

The Sense Organs in Animals Sense organs allow animals to sense changes in the environment around them and in their bodies so that they can respond appropriately. They enable animals to avoid hostile environments, sense the presence of predators, and find food. Animals can sense a wide range of stimuli that includes touch, pressure, pain, temperature, chemicals, light, sound, movement, and position of the body. Some animals can sense electric and magnetic fields. All sense organs respond to stimuli by producing nerve impulses that travel to the brain via a sensory nerve. The impulses are then processed and interpreted in the brain as pain, sight, sound, taste, etc. The senses are often divided into two groups:

The general senses of touch, pressure, pain and temperature that are distributed fairly evenly through the skin. Some are found in muscles and within joints. The special senses which include the senses of smell, taste, sight, hearing and balance. The special sense organs may be quite complex in structure.

Touch and Pressure Within the dermis of the skin are numerous modified nerve endings that are sensitive to touch and pressure. The roots of hairs may also be well supplied with sensory receptors that inform the animal that it is in contact with an object (see diagram). Whiskers are specially modified hairs. Pain Receptors that sense pain are found in almost every tissue of the body. They tell the animal that tissues are dangerously hot, cold, compressed or stretched or that there is not enough blood flowing in them. From further damage the animal may then be able to respond and protect itself. -From The Anatomy and Physiology of Animals by J. Ruth Lawson

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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anatomy_and_physiology_of_animals_General_senses_in_skin.jpg

Which of the following is the BEST objective summary of the article? a. The article “How Animals Use Senses” by J. Ruth Lawson explains how animals can sense

different types of stimuli. Animals rely on many areas to sense stimuli. These areas include things such as skin, muscles, the nose, hairs, whiskers, and the mouth. Sensory receptors are very important as they let the animals know when they are in contact with an object. The receptors that sense pain are found all over the body and allow the animal to respond as quickly as possible to allow it to protect itself from further danger.

b. The article “How Animals Use Senses” by J. Ruth Lawson explains how animals can sense different types of stimuli. Animals rely on many areas to sense stimuli. I am not sure why it is so important to be able to sense so much stimuli. Sensory receptors are very important as they let the animals know when they are in contact with an object. Although I think the eyes are more important to let the animal know it is near an object.

c. The article “How Animals Use Senses” by J. Ruth Lawson explains how animals can sense different types of stimuli. Animals rely on many areas to sense stimuli. The senses are often divided into two groups. The general senses of touch, pressure, pain and temperature that are distributed fairly evenly through the skin. Some are found in muscles and within joints. The special senses include the senses of smell, taste, sight, hearing and balance. The special sense organs may be quite complex in structure.

d. The article “How Animals Use Senses” by J. Ruth Lawson explains how animals can sense different types of stimuli. “Animals can sense a wide range of stimuli that includes touch, pressure, pain, temperature, chemicals, light, sound, movement, and position of the body.” The article also says that “Within the dermis of the skin are numerous modified nerve endings that are sensitive to touch and pressure.” Pain receptors are all over the animal’s body and allow the animal to avoid situations that will cause it more damage.

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From further damage the animal may then be able to respond and protect itself. 2. Rewrite this sentence from the article to correct the misplaced modifier. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 3. Which of the following text structures is mainly used in this article? a. compare/contrast b. chronological c. problem/solution d. description 4. What section does the diagram mainly support? ____________________________ 5. According to the article, why is it so important for animals to be able to sense stimuli? _____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

BIRD ENEMIES How surely the birds know their enemies! See how the wrens and robins and bluebirds pursue and scold the cat, while they take little or no notice of the dog! Even the swallow will fight the cat, and, relying too confidently upon its powers of flight, will sometimes swoop down so near to its enemy that it is caught by a sudden stroke of the cat's paw. The only case I know of in which our small birds fail to recognize their enemy is provided by the shrike; apparently, the little birds do not know that this modest-colored bird is an assassin. At least, I have never seen them scold or attack him or utter any outcries at his presence as they usually do at birds of prey. Probably it is because the shrike is a rare visitor and is not found in this part of the country during the nesting season of our songsters. But the birds have nearly all found out about the trick of the bluejay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused. It is amusing to see the robins hustle him out of the tree which holds their nest. They cry, "Thief, thief!" to the top of their voices as they charge upon him, and the jay retorts in a voice scarcely less complimentary as he makes off. The jays have their enemies also and need to keep an eye on their own eggs. It would be interesting to know if jays ever rob jays, or crows plunder crows. Or, is there honor among thieves even in the feathered tribes? I suspect the jay is often punished by birds which are otherwise innocent of nest-robbing. One season I found a jay's nest in a small cedar on the side of a wooded ridge. It held five eggs, every one of which had been punctured. Apparently some bird had driven its sharp beak through their shells, with the sole intention of destroying them, for no part of the contents of the eggs had been removed. It looked like a case of revenge, as if some thrush or warbler, whose nest had suffered at the hands of the jays, had watched its opportunity and had in this way retaliated upon its enemies. An egg for an egg. The jays were lingering near, very demure and silent and probably ready to join a crusade against nest-robbers. The great bugaboo of the birds is the owl. At night, the owl will snatch the birds from off their roosts and gobble up their eggs and young in their nests. He is a veritable ogre to them, and his presence fills them with consternation and alarm. Probably the darkest tragedy of the nest is enacted when a snake plunders it. All birds and animals, so far I have observed, behave in a peculiar manner toward a snake. They seem to feel something of the loathing toward it that the human species experiences. Once, as I was crossing a bridge, I noticed a large striped snake in the act of charming a song-sparrow. They were both upon the sand beneath the bridge. The snake kept his head swaying slowly from side to side and darted his tongue out continually. The bird, not over a foot away, was facing the snake, hopping from one foot to the other, and uttering a dissatisfied little chirp. I watched them till the snake seized the bird, having gradually drawn nearer. As he seized it, I leaped over the side of the bridge. This caused the snake to glide away, and I took the bird which he had dropped. It was too frightened to try to fly, and I carried it nearly a mile before it flew from my open hand."

From Birds and Bees – Sharp Eyes and Other Papers by John Burroughs

Which of the following is the BEST objective summary of the passage? a. The passage “Bird Enemies” by John Burroughs discusses how birds recognize and cope with

their enemies. Burroughs does a great job explaining the way birds deal with their enemies. The explanations of the owls and the snakes are the best.

b. The passage “Bird Enemies” by John Burroughs discusses how birds recognize and cope with their enemies. The author does a good job explaining that birds seem to know their enemies for the most part; although some, such as the shrike, are not recognized as enemies. Birds chase some enemies away as best as they can. But with those such as snakes and owls, they react in alarm. They can’t come close to stopping owls or snakes. “At night, the owl will snatch the birds from off their roosts and gobble up their eggs and young in their nests.” And also, “Probably the darkest tragedy of the nest is enacted when a snake plunders it.”

c. The passage “Bird Enemies” by John Burroughs discusses how birds recognize and cope with their enemies. The author explains how birds recognize their enemies and deal with them. Birds chase some enemies away and others, such as owls, react in alarm. But, they can not stop the owls. “At night, the owl will snatch the birds from off their roosts and gobble up their eggs and young in their nests.”

d. The passage “Bird Enemies” by John Burroughs discusses how birds recognize and cope with their enemies. The author explains that birds seem to know their enemies for the most part. Although some, such as the shrike, are not recognized as enemies. Birds chase some enemies away and others, such as owls, they react to in alarm. But, they can not stop the owls and other harmful predators from grabbing their eggs and young right out of their nests.

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Read this dictionary entry. a feeling of alarm, confusion, or dismay, often caused by

something unexpected 2. Which word in the last paragraph best matches the given definition? a. bugaboo c. ogre b. veritable d. consternation 3. Once, as I was crossing a bridge, I noticed a large striped snake in the act of charming a song-sparrow. Sometimes a comma is needed in between two adjectives. In this sentence, the words large and striped are both adjectives because they are describing the snake. Explain why a comma is not needed between the two adjectives large and striped.

_____________________________________________________________________ 4. I watched them till the snake seized the bird, having gradually drawn nearer. Rewrite this sentence from the passage to correct the misplaced modifier. _____________________________________________________________________

Clay-colored Sparrows Their song is an odd vocal performance—a low, croaking trill preceded by a few longer notes all delivered in the same key. It is, in fact, a contralto solo divided into brief stanzas and easily might be mistaken for the grating buzz of an insect, especially if heard at a distance of a few rods. It possesses little or no musical quality, and it is perhaps the most curious style of bird minstrelsy with which I am acquainted. In comparison, the chippie's trill sounds loud and clear and bell-like, with a distinctly melodious quality of tone. The song of the little clay-colored sparrow is also marked by a kind of drawl, giving one the impression that the bird is just a little too lazy to exert himself. However, when you get him in the field of your glass and see him throw back his head, expand his throat and chest, and open his mandibles as wide as he can, you quickly decide that he is not the apathetic creature his desultory song would lead you to infer. It really is laughable, and almost pathetic, too, to note how much energy he expends in the production of his poor little melody. Indeed, not in the least sluggish is the blood flowing in the veins of Spizella pallida, for he is a vivacious little body, flitting about actively in the hedges and bushes, and sometimes mounting into the trees, chanting his little alto strain all the while, as if his life depended upon it. He is one of the relatively few birds who is lavish of his song in journey. Unlike the familiar chippie, he does not usually find a perch in plain sight from which to rehearse his song but keeps himself well hidden in the bushes or trees, darting into a hiding place as soon as he thinks himself discovered. The shy little imp prefers to put a screen of foliage or twigs between himself and the observer. Might his motto be, "Little birds should be heard and not seen"? I had quite a time making sure of him, but, as a pleasant compensation, when his identity was once settled, I could not well have mistaken him for another species, for he is a bird of real distinction. My study of the clay-colored sparrows was restricted to their habits in migration, at which time they move about in more or less compact little flocks, gathering seeds and chanting their monotonous trills. While I first found these sparrows near Peabody, they were also fairly common, a few days later, in northeastern Kansas, about a mile back from the Missouri River, where their low alto strains formed a kind of gray background for the high-pitched trills of the Harris sparrows and the loud pipings of the cardinals. Quaint as our little contralto's solos are, they have a distinct fascination for me, and now that I no longer live in the Sunflower state, I miss them sorely when the springtime comes.

From Our Bird Comrades by Leander S. Keyser

Which of the following is the BEST objective summary of the passage? a. The passage “Clay-colored Sparrows”” by Leander S. Keyser is all about clay-colored sparrows.

The author begins by describing the bird’s song. He says that the song is not very entertaining as he writes “It really is laughable, and almost pathetic, too, to note how much energy he expends in the production of his poor little melody.” The sparrow sings a lot as well. He is a shy bird and often hides from plain sight. These particular sparrows are found in the Midwestern United States.

b. The passage “Clay-colored Sparrows”” by Leander S. Keyser describes clay-colored sparrows. The song of the clay-colored sparrow is not very enjoyable to hear, although he sings it very often. This sparrow is unlike many and prefers not perch in the open. This timid bird often hides from plain sight. These particular sparrows are found in the Midwestern United States.

a. The passage “Clay-colored Sparrows”” by Leander S. Keyser describes clay-colored sparrows. The

song of the clay-colored sparrow is “laughable, and almost pathetic” according to Keyser. This sparrow “does not usually find a perch in plain sight”, but rather “keeps himself well hidden in the bushes or trees.” These particular sparrows are found in the Midwestern United States.

b. The passage “Clay-colored Sparrows”” by Leander S. Keyser is all about clay-colored sparrows. I learned how the bird sings, how they like to move, and how they hide from plain sight in bushes. The clay-colored sparrow lives in the Midwest and I can see why the author would miss the unique little bird.

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Read this dictionary entry. Random; happening in a random, disorganized, or unmethodical way

Reread this sentence from the passage. The song of the little clay-colored sparrow is also marked by a kind of drawl, giving one the impression that the bird is just a little too lazy to exert himself. However, when you get him in the field of your glass and see him throw back his head,

expand his throat and chest, and open his mandibles as wide as he can, you quickly decide that he is not the apathetic creature his desultory song would lead you to infer.

2. Which word in the sentence best matches the given definition? a. drawl c. apathetic b. mandibles d. desultory 3. Which of the following text structures is mainly used in this article? a. compare/contrast b. chronological c. problem/solution d. description 4. Their song is an odd vocal performance—a low, croaking trill preceded by a few longer notes all delivered in the same key. Why is a comma used between the words low and croaking? _____________________________________________________________________

Eat Extra for Excellence There's a lot more to eating for sports than chowing down on carbs or chugging sports drinks. The good news is that eating to reach your peak performance level likely doesn't require a special diet or supplements. It's all about working the right foods into your fitness plan in the right amounts. Athletes and Dieting Since teen athletes need extra fuel, it's usually a bad idea to diet. Athletes in sports where weight is emphasized — such as wrestling, swimming, dance, or gymnastics — might feel pressure to lose weight, but they need to balance that choice with the possible negative side effects mentioned above. Eat a Variety of Foods You may have heard about "carb loading" before a game. But when it comes to powering your game for the long haul, it's a bad idea to focus on only one type of food. Carbohydrates are an important source of fuel, but they're only one of many foods an athlete needs. It also takes vitamins, minerals, protein, and fats to stay in peak playing shape. Muscular Minerals and Vital Vitamins Calcium helps build the strong bones that athletes depend on, and iron carries oxygen to muscles. Most teens don't get enough of these minerals, and that's especially true of teen athletes because their needs may be even higher than those of other teens. Protein Power Athletes may need more protein than less-active teens, but most teen athletes get plenty of protein through regular eating. It's a myth that athletes need a huge daily intake of protein to build large, strong muscles. Muscle growth comes from regular training and hard work. And taking in too much protein can actually harm the body, causing dehydration, calcium loss, and even kidney problems. Carb Charge Carbohydrates provide athletes with an excellent source of fuel. Cutting back on carbs or following low-carb diets isn't a good idea for athletes because restricting carbohydrates can cause a person to feel tired and worn out, which ultimately affects performance. Game-Day Eats Your performance on game day will depend on the foods you've eaten over the past several days and weeks. But you can boost your performance even more by paying attention to the food you eat on game day. Strive for a game-day diet rich in carbohydrates, moderate in protein, and low in fat. Here are some guidelines on what to eat and when: • Eat a meal 2 to 4 hours before the game or event: Choose a protein and carbohydrate meal

(like a turkey or chicken sandwich, cereal and milk, chicken noodle soup and yogurt, or pasta with tomato sauce).

• Eat a snack less than 2 hours before the game: If you haven't had time to have a pre-game meal, be sure to have a light snack such as low-fiber fruits or vegetables (like plums, melons, cherries, carrots), crackers, a bagel, or low-fat yogurt.

• Drink water: Never drink energy drinks before exercising. These products contain a large amount of caffeine and other ingredients that have caffeine-like effects.

This information was provided by KidsHealth®, one of the largest resources online for medically reviewed health information written for parents, kids, and teens. For more articles like this, visit KidsHealth.org or TeensHealth.org. © 1995- 2016 . The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth®. All rights reserved.

“Eat Extra for Excellence” 1. Which of the following is the BEST objective summary of the article? a. The article “Eat Extra for Excellence” suggests ways for teen athletes to get the most out of

foods. According to the article, “It’s all about working the right foods into your fitness plan in the right amounts”. The article explains the types of foods teen athletes need to help them perform to the best of their abilities.

b. The article “Eat Extra for Excellence” suggests ways teen athletes can make diet choices for optimal performance. The article explains that a variety of foods is needed to stay in the best shape. Foods need to have calcium and other minerals and vitamins. Along with protein, athletes must train regularly and work hard. Diets which include protein, carbohydrates, and are low in fat are recommended. On game days, there are guidelines to help boost performances.

c. The article “Eat Extra for Excellence” suggests ways teen athletes can eat to help them “stay in peek playing shape”. The article debunks the myth about loading on protein to build muscle and explains that protein alone will not work.

d. The article “Eat Extra for Excellence” suggests ways teen athletes can make wise food choices to make them the most productive on the field. Most people think that eating a lot of carbs is best. I know I did! But, the article plainly says that athletes need to eat foods that are rich in protein but not to overdo it. The articles explains that is a myth that eating huge amounts of protein is the way to build muscle – training and hard work also build muscle. I love the section that explains what to eat and drink on game day too! That is very helpful!

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It's a myth that athletes need a huge daily intake of protein to build large, strong muscles.

2. Explain why the comma is needed in this sentence. _____________________________________________________________________

But when it comes to powering your game for the long haul, it's a bad idea to focus on only one type of food.

Athletes may need more protein than less-active teens, but most teen athletes get plenty of protein through regular eating. 3. Explain why a comma is needed between the two clauses in each of these sentences. Then, circle the complex sentence. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 4. Which of the following text structures is mainly used in this article? a. compare/contrast b. chronological c. problem/solution d. description 5. What is the purpose of the subheadings in the article? a. to help the reader understand the author’s opinion b. to help the reader visualize the information c. to help the reader find the main ideas in each section d. to help the reader place events in order

Words Words had to be invented, just as tools were. At first, men had no language. Very slowly they gave names to the things about them and learned to talk to each other. Mothers sang jingles and lullabies to their babies. Around the campfire at night, men told how they had hunted the wild beasts. Women talked as they gathered and prepared food or dressed the skins of the wild animals. Mothers wanted their children to be brave and wise, so they told them stories about the bravest and wisest of their clan in the olden time. Perhaps this is why children, and older people too for that matter, have always been fond of stories. In these ways languages grew, and the simple beginnings of literature were made. People have always been fond of ornaments. The earliest men wore necklaces of teeth and claws. Later they made beads of bronze or of gold. The women tried to make their baskets and their clothes as beautiful as possible by coloring them with lovely natural dyes. Some of the men liked to draw pictures of wild animals upon pieces of bone or upon the walls of their homes in the caves. People learned to count upon their fingers, and to use various parts of their bodies, like the finger, the hand, and the arm, as measures of length. Our early ancestors lived in fear of many things about them because they thought that fire, the rivers, the sea, the sun, and many other natural objects were alive and could harm them or help them. They offered gifts to all these things and prayed to them for help. Early men also believed that the souls of their ancestors lived after death, and that these ancestors could help them or harm them. They thought that if they offered gifts of food, and drink at the graves of their dead, the spirits of the departed would be pleased and would protect the living members of their families. If, on the other hand, the dead were neglected or forgotten they would become evil spirits who might bring great misfortune upon the living. They also thought that if the dead were not properly buried they would become ghosts, haunting the places they had known when they were alive. Because of these ideas early men were very careful to worship their ancestors. The first religions of the world grew out of these beliefs and practices of primitive men with reference to nature and to their own ancestors.

—From "Our Beginnings in Europe and America" by Smith Burnham

"Our Beginnings in Europe and America" by Smith Burnham Which of the following is the BEST objective summary of the article? a. The article “From Our Beginnings in Europe and America" by Smith Burnham explains the ways

our early ancestors started to use words, ornaments, and religion.

b. The article “From Our Beginnings in Europe and America" by Smith Burnham explains how fearful our early ancestors were of many natural things. They offered gifts to all these things and prayed to them for help. Early men also believed that the souls of their ancestors lived after death and that these ancestors could help them or harm them.

c. The article “From Our Beginnings in Europe and America" by Smith Burnham explains how our early ancestors developed many things that we find important today. Words were invented to give names to things, for story telling, and to soothe and teach little ones. Ornaments and drawings were used for beauty and for counting. The first religions were a result of their fears, and attempts to keep deceased ancestors happy and protective of them.

d. The article “From Our Beginnings in Europe and America" by Smith Burnham explains why our early ancestors developed many things. According to the article, words were developed as people “very slowly they gave names to the things about them and learned to talk to each other”. Over time, mothers began to sing songs such as lullabies to their children. And, story telling developed as hunting stories were told around campfires and mothers told little ones about the people before them. I am sure the early words were very different from the words we speak today.

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Our early ancestors lived in fear of many things about them because they thought that fire, the rivers, the sea, the sun, and many other natural objects were alive and could harm them or help them. 2. Underline the dependent clause in the above sentence. Now, explain why this sentence has no comma between the two clauses. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

with lovely natural dyes

3. Sometimes a comma is needed in between two adjectives. In this sentence, the words lovely and natural are both adjectives because they are describing the dyes. Explain why a comma is not needed between the two adjectives lovely and natural. _____________________________________________________________________ 4. Which of the following text structures is mainly used in this article? a. compare/contrast b. chronological c. problem/solution d. description

THE SKUNK The skunk is an animal of the weasel family and is found throughout the United States and the southern parts of Canada. The color is a glossy black, with usually a white V-shaped stripe extending from the top of the head to about half the length of the back. The skunk has become quite famous, among country folks, because of its powerful scent, which is found in two glands near the root of the tail, which the animal can eject at will. This scent is perhaps the most powerful and offensive of all odors, and the use of it is the skunk's only means of defending itself against enemies. Dens The skunk makes its den in the ground, usually along a gravelly hill-side, and it sometimes makes use of the den of the woodchuck. In thickly settled countries where the dens have been destroyed by hunters, they often make their homes under barns and out-buildings, and even under dwelling houses, much to the discomfort of the inmates. The skunk is a nocturnal animal, searching for food only at night and remaining in its den during the day. During the cold part of the winter, they remain in their dens, coming out only on warm nights. After the middle of February, when their mating season commences, the males travel, at this time in almost all kinds of weather. Tracking Skunks In winter, one may track them to their dens, and if the den is a good one, may find any number of skunks, up to a dozen, in the same den. It is a common practice to dig the den open and kill all the inmates, but as this method means the destruction of a good den, it is not advisable to do so. The best way is to trap them, as in this way the den will not be injured, and it is almost certain that you will find skunks in the same den each season. The most common method of trapping the skunk is to set the trap in the entrance of the den, without bait. However, where there are many dens, or where the dens are hard to find, it is best to use bait. In setting the trap in a den, it should be set just inside the entrance, unless the mouth of the den is small. In this case, it should be set just outside. The trap should be set with the jaws lengthwise of the hole, so that the skunk steps between the jaws, and not over them. By stepping over the jaw, the foot is likely to be thrown out of the trap, by the jaw, as the trap springs. This rule also applies to all traps set in dens or enclosures of any kind. The common way of fastening is to stake the trap or fasten to a clog, but the balance pole is better. No great care is necessary in covering the trap, as the skunk is not suspicious, but it is always best to use care, especially in setting baited traps, as one never knows what animal may come along.

Name____________________________ Write an objective summary for this article on the lines below. Remember, an objective summary must be put in your own words, cannot contain opinions, focuses on the main idea, and omits minor details.

FROGS AND TADPOLES It is very interesting in the spring to watch the gradual development of a frog from the egg, through the tadpole stage of its existence, till at last it assumes its final form. The old frogs emerge from their winter hiding-places in the mud, early in the spring, and during April their eggs may be found floating on almost every stagnant pond. A group of these eggs in their early stages of development looks like a mass of clear white jelly, containing numbers of black specks, each of which is really the germ of the future tadpole. In order to watch the development, a group of the eggs should be taken and put in a shallow vessel of water, which, if kept in the house, should have a bell-glass, or some other covering, over it, to keep out the dust. The jelly-like mass which envelopes the future tadpole is so clear that all its changes can be easily watched. First the head appears, then a flat tail, and in course of time the nostrils, mouth and large eyes, till at length the completed tadpole bursts open its gelatinous covering, and apparently not in the least embarrassed by its new surroundings, begins swimming briskly about, looking for something to eat. The time occupied in hatching varies in different countries, according to the climate, from four days to a month. The following stages are even more interesting, especially for those who can take advantage of the transparency of the parts to watch the circulation of the blood through a microscope. The body of the tadpole gradually gets broader, while the tail gets thinner and thinner, till it finally disappears altogether. However, before that happens, its place has been taken by two hind legs, which first appear under the skin and then gradually push their way through. The fore legs next appear, and so on through all the stages of development, till in a longer or shorter time, according to the amount of warmth, light and food it can obtain, the complete frog appears. But woe betide the unfortunate tadpole which, first of the shoal, attains to the dignity of possessing limbs, for so ferocious are the later ones, and so jealous of their precocious little brother, that they almost always fall upon him, and not content with killing, never rest till every morsel of him is eaten. And unless several of the tadpoles assume their final change about the same time, this proceeding is repeated till their numbers are very considerably diminished, or, as sometimes happens, till only one survivor is left, who, having helped to eat all his brethren, is allowed to live on in peace. Of course, this is only till some day, in the course of his walks abroad, he, in his turn, is snapped up as a delicate morsel by some hungry snake or water-fowl.

Name____________________________ Write an objective summary for this article on the lines below. Remember, an objective summary must be put in your own words, cannot contain opinions, focuses on the main idea, and omits minor details.

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