“Mars” by Daevon Washington
Stars and Planets
Have you ever looked at the sky on a clear night? Have you ever wished on a star? For thousands of years, people have
been looking at the stars. Sailors guided their ships by the stars. Shepherds and ranchers studied the stars as they watched
their animals at night.
Astronomers are professionals who study the stars. Astronomers have discovered that not all of the things we see in the
sky are stars. Some are stars or suns, but others are planets, meteors, comets, and asteroids. Stars are balls of gas that
produce heat, light, and other kinds of energy. Our sun is a star. Planets are large bodies of rock or gas that orbit a sun.
Earth is a planet, but it’s not the only planet around the Sun. Eight planets have been discovered so far around our sun.
Together, the Sun, the planets, and other things around the Sun are called a solar system.
Solar Neighbors
It is always fun to get to know your neighbors. It is nice to know the person at the next desk or apartment or house. Some
cities, like Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, are neighbors. Countries like the United States and Mexico and continents like
North and South America are neighbors, too. But have you ever thought about our neighbors in the solar system?
The planets around the Sun from the closest to the farthest are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and
Neptune. All the planets except Earth are named after gods from mythology. Our solar system neighbors are Venus and
Mars. Mars is a little farther from Earth than Venus is.
Comparisons
Earth and Mars are like each other in some ways and very different in others. Both have ice at the north and south poles.
In fact, most of the ice at the poles on Mars is not even water. Many people mistakenly think the ice on Mars is water just
like the ice on Earth. Earth has air to breathe, food to eat, and water to drink. Mars doesn’t have any of these things.
Both Earth and Mars have riverbeds, but the riverbeds on Mars are all dry as a bone. Both planets have volcanoes, too.
Olympus Mons on Mars is the tallest and widest known volcano in the solar system. The top of it is three times as tall as
Mt. Everest, the highest mountain on Earth. Mars also has a canyon that is three times wider than the Grand Canyon here
in the United States.
Mars’s weather is more like Earth’s weather than that of any other planet, but even on Mars it is too cold for people to
live for most of the year. Mars only has two seasons, summer and winter, and each lasts half the year. In the summer,
sometimes the temperature ranges from about freezing, 32°F, to as high as 80°F. You don’t even want to think of how
cold it is in winter! The coldest temperature on Earth was –126°F, but on Mars it was –280°F. Storms are also part of the
weather. Mars has dust storms like we have in some of our deserts here on Earth.
Mars is a fascinating neighbor of Earth. We have learned about it through telescopes and from space probes that have
studied it. Even though it would be an exciting place to visit, Mars is not the most comfortable vacation spot.
1 “Solar neighbors” in the article refers to
34188A15
34188A16
A
the entire solar system.
B
planets close to Earth.
C
the Sun and Neptune.
D
people on Earth and stars.
34188A17
34188A18
2 Which statement is a fact?
34189A15
34189A16
A
“Mars is a fascinating neighbor of Earth.”
B
“It is always fun to get to know your neighbors.”
C
“Mars is not the most comfortable vacation spot.”
D
“Astronomers are professionals who study the stars.”
34189A17
34189A18
3 Which best describes the organizational pattern of this passage?
34190A15
34190A16
A
cause and effect
B
in order of sequence
C
in order of importance
D
compare and contrast
34190A17
34190A18
4 According to the passage, visitors to Mars would need
34191A15
34191A16
A
knowledge of mythology.
B
protection from the environment.
C
to be from Texas.
D
to also visit Venus.
34191A17
34191A18
5 The author wrote this passage to
34192A15
34192A16
A
describe another planet.
B
defend the space program.
C
tell an amusing story.
D
share Greek myths.
34192A17
34192A18
The Photo by Kris Misage
Ivan was always fascinated with photographs. His favorite storybooks were illustrated with photographs, not drawings. He
loved to flip through glossy magazines, staring at photographs of faraway places and famous people. So when a special
program at his new school offered a photography class, Ivan was the first to jump on board.
The photography teacher, Miss Longfeather, first taught the class how cameras work. Once students were comfortable
operating a camera, Miss Longfeather discussed composing pictures. “Imagine the picture you want to take in your head,”
she advised. “Then use the camera to achieve it.”
Miss Longfeather showed the class examples of how changing camera angles and focus can have different effects on a
photograph. Ivan was amazed that a close-up of a turtle made the pattern on its shell look like an ancient code. But when
Ivan saw the picture of the same scene taken from farther away, he almost missed the turtle in the sand and grasses. Miss
Longfeather also showed a picture of a barking bulldog photographed from below. The detail of the dog’s chest and jowls
made him look ferocious. The next picture was of the same dog, this time photographed from above as he flashed a grin
from behind his owner’s legs. Then he looked small and timid. The differences were really breathtaking.
The class’s first assignment was to photograph someone in a way that showed that person’s best quality. Miss
Longfeather encouraged her students to pick someone they knew well, consider what that person was like, and brainstorm
how they could show that characteristic in a photograph. The assignment awed Ivan. He had never realized all the thought
that went into a simple photograph. He wanted to do well but wasn’t sure he could.
He decided to photograph his Grandma Tatyana. First he sat and thought about her. Grandma always smelled faintly of
cinnamon and oranges. She loved tending her small plot in the community garden and then cooking up steaming platters
of fresh peas, stuffed cabbage, and vegetable soup. But tending to her grandchildren was perhaps her favorite thing. Ivan
remembered her cheering in Russian at his baseball games. She made Ivan and his brother Nick’s favorite dishes every
time they visited. She rocked them to sleep when they were sick. She also gave the best hugs. Any scrape, hurt feeling, or
wound to Ivan’s pride would immediately stop hurting in Grandma’s warm embrace.
Ivan wanted to portray what it was like to be her grandchild, so he asked Nick to help him show this feeling. He set up
his camera in Grandma’s cozy living room. He turned off all the lights except for the lamp next to Grandma’s favorite
chair. He asked Grandma to sit in the chair with Nick on her lap. “Nick, turn and hug Grandma like you’ve just fallen off
your bicycle,” Ivan said. Nick threw his arms around Grandma and buried his face in the crook of her neck. Without
waiting for Ivan’s directions, Grandma leaned forward and squeezed Nick tightly, her eyes closing. Her lips pursed into a
cooing sound as she started rubbing Nick’s back. Nick nestled even further into Grandma’s arms.
Ivan walked in close and knelt down. The lamp cast a warm glow on Nick’s curly hair and Grandma’s wrinkly left cheek
and arm. “Perfect,” Ivan said and smiled. He gently squeezed the button on the top of the camera. Click-click. It was such
a satisfying noise: crisp and clean. Ivan marveled that with that simple motion he could capture his Grandma’s love,
saving it forever.
6 Which is an antonym for timid?
34195A15
A
fierce
B
shy
C
bright
D
large
34195A16
34195A17
34195A18
7 What is the main problem Ivan faces in the story?
34196A15
A
who should be the subject of his next photograph
B
how to ask his grandmother for help
C
how to take a good photograph for his class
D
whom he should choose to sit with Grandma
34196A16
34196A17
34196A18
8 The author’s statement that everything “would immediately stop hurting in Grandma’s warm embrace” means
that Grandma
34197A15
34197A16
A
always had a warm fire going.
B
told long stories about being hurt.
C
was a doctor who fixed everything.
D
instantly made Ivan feel better.
9 Ivan can best be described as
34198A15
A
excited.
34198A16
34197A17
34197A18
34198A17
B
lazy.
C
frightened.
D
annoyed.
34198A18
10 Read this sentence from the passage.
“The class’s first assignment was to photograph someone in a way that showed that person’s best quality.”
As used in the passage, what does the word assignment mean?
34199A15
34199A16
A
demand
B
gift
C
conclusion
D
task
34199A17
34199A18
11 Ivan thought that the “breathtaking” differences between perspectives were
34200A15
34200A16
A
boring.
B
amazing.
C
challenging.
D
ridiculous.
34200A17
34200A18
12 The passage shows that
34201A15
34201A16
A
Ivan lives near Miss Longfeather.
B
Miss Longfeather lives near Grandma Tatyana.
C
Ivan lives near Grandma Tatyana.
D
Nick lives near Miss Longfeather.
34201A17
34201A18
Who Was Benjamin Banneker? by Lucinda Ingley
Benjamin’s Beginnings
Do you know that there are many scientists, inventors, and writers whom most people have never heard of? We use things
they invented. We learn things they discovered. But we never learn their names. Benjamin Banneker is one of these
people. Benjamin Banneker was one of the smartest men of his time. He was a scientist, inventor, writer, city planner, and
much more.
Benjamin was born in Maryland in 1731. His mother was a free woman who married a slave. At that time, the law said
that the child of a free mother was free. This meant that Benjamin was a free black man. Most black men, though, were
slaves. They couldn’t go to school to learn to read or write. Benjamin was lucky. He went to a Quaker school where
anyone who wanted to learn was welcome, regardless of skin color. While in school, Benjamin excelled at math and
science.
An Inventor, Farmer, and Astronomer
Benjamin was interested in everything. Once he took apart a watch. When he put it back together, he found that it still
worked. This inspired Benjamin to build a clock made out of wood. It was the first clock ever built in America. It kept the
correct time for 40 years.
Americans began fighting a war with England in 1776. The war lasted seven years. At times, supplies were very short.
The soldiers didn’t always have food and clothes. Benjamin started to cultivate wheat to support the soldiers who were
fighting for freedom. The farm was on his property located in Oella, Maryland. America won the war and became a new
country thanks to the assistance of people like Benjamin, who provided for the needy soldiers.
After the war ended, Benjamin kept farming. He also kept learning. He taught himself about astronomy, the study of the
stars and planets. He predicted an eclipse of the sun in 1789. Other scientists had predicted the eclipse would happen at a
different time. Benjamin’s prediction was right.
A Planner and a Writer
Benjamin helped plan the new capital city of Washington, D.C., in 1791. He worked on a map showing the location of
streets around the new Capitol building. Benjamin became famous for his design. His plan made locations in the city easy
to find. Even the president had great admiration for his work.
Benjamin started writing an almanac. An almanac is a magazine about the weather, the tides, and other facts. Farmers who
need to know about the weather use almanacs. Fishermen and sailors who need to know about the tides also read the
magazine. Benjamin figured out times for the tides. He made numerous weather predictions. He printed almanacs each
year from 1791 to 1796. His almanacs were widely used and respected for their accuracy.
Benjamin sent a copy of his almanac to President Jefferson with a letter. He asked the president to stop slavery. Benjamin
believed that black people and white people should be treated equally. Benjamin knew that Jefferson helped write the
Declaration of Independence, which included the words, “All men are created equal.” Because of this, he thought maybe
Jefferson could be convinced to end slavery. The president thought the almanac was good. He sent a copy to France.
Jefferson wrote back to Benjamin and praised him for all of his accomplishments, but he did not respond to the discussion
of slavery.
A True Renaissance Man
When Benjamin died in 1806, he was quite famous. He was known as the first African American scientist. During his
time, people honored him for the many things he had done. Though he is not as well-known today as some other people
from the birth of our country, Benjamin played a key role. When we think of Washington, D.C., and of the brave people
who fought to make the United States a free country, we should also think of Benjamin Banneker. He helped make all of
that possible.
13
14
Benjamin Banneker correctly predicted the solar eclipse because
A
he made more precise measurements than other scientists.
B
he read almanacs written by other scientists who knew about astronomy.
C
he enjoyed looking at the stars in the night sky above his farm.
D
he found the right books to read while attending a Quaker school.
The main purpose of this passage is to
A
entertain readers with moving stories from the life of Benjamin Banneker.
persuade readers to build a monument to recognize Benjamin Banneker’s
B
importance.
C
D
15
16
17
18
19
describe why few people study the accomplishments of Benjamin Banneker.
provide readers with information about the accomplishments of Benjamin
Banneker.
To find more information about what Benjamin Banneker knew about planets, refer
to
A
“Benjamin’s Beginnings.”
B
“A True Renaissance Man.”
C
“An Inventor, Farmer, and Astronomer.”
D
“A Planner and a Writer.”
Which is a statement of opinion?
A
“This inspired Benjamin to build a clock made out of wood.”
B
“Benjamin Banneker was one of the smartest men of his time.”
C
“Even the president had great admiration for his work.”
D
“Benjamin sent a copy of his almanac to President Jefferson with a letter.”
An important idea from this passage is that
A
Benjamin Banneker predicted a solar eclipse.
B
Benjamin Banneker was born in 1731.
C
Benjamin Banneker had many different skills.
D
Benjamin Banneker was a good clockmaker.
Benjamin Banneker’s life shows that people can find satisfaction in life
A
if they attend a Quaker school when they are young.
B
if they learn a lot and do activities that interest them.
C
if they write a letter to the president.
D
if they read an almanac before planting wheat.
“Benjamin started to cultivate wheat to support the soldiers who were fighting for
freedom.”
Which best defines the word cultivate as it is used in the passage?
A
consume
B
support
C
study
D
plant
Bone Puzzle by Antonio Valdez
Here’s a thighbone, or so I think.
The first step was to figure out
This one goes with the jawbone, or so I think.
Which bones, strong and solid,
This is some sort of a leg bone, or so I think.
Would make up the spine of the great dinosaur.
As bone fits against bone,
“Put me with the hip bone,” one of the bones,
A three-dimensional puzzle takes shape.
Gleaming white, shiny and rock hard,
Seems to say.
The whispering skeleton wants to share its
secrets.
Slowly, steadily, yet surely,
I can almost hear the giant lizard roar.
The puzzle takes shape
I can almost see it run through the jungle.
With diligence and hard work.
Chasing something?
Running from something?
What was once a pile of bones,
It’s hard to know for certain.
Dug up from the yielding earth,
Dusted off with brushes as fine as silk,
I know that we’ll never know for sure
Carefully crated and carted away,
What happened to the dinosaurs.
Shipped safely to a faraway museum,
But maybe, when my bone puzzle is complete,
Is now something else, something more,
Some solutions to this mystery will come to
Something amazing to behold.
light
20
21
According to the poem, the speaker is
A
organizing a museum exhibit.
B
trying to match puzzle pieces.
C
putting a skeleton together.
D
solving a mystery about dinosaurs.
The speaker thought he
A
might be able to tell if the giant lizard was running from
something.
B
should start by putting together the bones of the spine.
C
D
22
could hear one of the bones explain how to put the spine
together.
should ask people in a museum to help put the bones
together.
Why were brushes with such fine bristles used on the bones?
A
to remove all the dirt from the bones
B
to get the bones to shine
C
to make the bones seem more valuable
D
to help ship the bones
23
24
25
“The whispering skeleton” is an example of
A
metaphor.
B
alliteration.
C
simile.
D
personification.
The point of view of the poem is
A
narrator.
B
first person.
C
second person.
D
third person.
This poem is mostly about a person who
A
wants to travel back in time to see dinosaurs run wild.
B
enjoys digging in the ground to find dinosaur bones.
C
plans to put together many different kinds of puzzles.
D
studies bones to learn more about the mysteries of dinosaurs.