Sixth Grade Assignment

Name__________________________________________Date_____ Reading Comprehension Volume 1, Number 12 Better Zoos There was a time when zoos were terrible places for animals to live. Even the largest animals were confined to small and uncomfortable cages. Restless beasts paced back and forth in their prisons, as countless visitors passed by. While some zoos are still throwbacks to this era, more and more zoos have changed. Wild animals are now housed in larger areas that more closely resemble their natural habitats. This makes the existence of the animals much more pleasant. It also provides a better educational experience to visitors Children and adults can see scenes that show more accurately how animals live in the wild. Hopefully the day will come when all zoos will be humane places that give top priority to the needs of their animals while creating ideal educational exhibits. 1. How are zoos changing? a. They’re getting better for the animals but worse for the visitors. b. They’re getting better for the visitors but not for the animals. c. They’re getting better for the animals and visitors. d They’re not changing at all. 2. Do some zoos still need to improve? 3. Find the word “humane” in the last paragraph. What does it mean? a. b. c. d.

Looking like a person Large Educational Using kindness

4. Which idea is NOT expressed in the selection? a. b. c. d.

Animals have feelings. People can learn from visiting a zoo. It costs a lot of money to improve a zoo. Not all zoos are as good as they should be.

5. If you could design a zoo, what would it be like?

Name__________________________________________Date_____ Reading Comprehension Volume 1, Number 13 Cyber Santa Dear Santa, I hope you’re not set in your ways ’Cause things are just different in these modern __1__. Dear Santa, please tell me that I would be right To figure you’ve set up your North Pole Web site. Do some of your elves keep the pages just right, While you are __2__ for your __3__ flight? With all of the news of presents we’ll __4__, Can we find it all there at Santa.net? Do you accept e-mail, and phone faxes too? Just think of the trees that you’ll __5__ if you do. And does a computer help guide your old sleigh, To make sure that Rudolph does not lose his way? Please tell me, dear Santa, that these things are __6__; The times might be changing, but not without you. Dear Santa, I have to just say one thing more, Our fireplace is fake, so please come through the __7__! 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

a. times a. preparing a. monthly a. receive a. plant a. so a. wall

b. pays c. days d. tools b. avoiding c. singing d. reminding b. daily c. railroad d. famous b. give c. find d. get b. pine c. save d. crush b. true c. real d. shoe b. window c. door d. mail

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Name__________________________________________Date_____ Reading Comprehension Volume 1, Number 16, The Name

Crazy King Robert and lovely Queen Cheryl were expecting the birth of their first child. Amnio, the wizard, __1__ them that it would be a boy. “We must pick a __2__ name for our new son,” declared the queen. “He’ll be the king someday and everyone will speak his name.” King Robert knew at once what name he wanted. “Let’s __3__ him Trogmire!” Queen Cheryl was not amused. “I want our son to have a __4__ name,” she insisted. The King decided to consult his friend, the wise Good Witch Diana. He was __5__ she would approve of his choice. “Trogmire is not a suitable name for a child,” was all that Good Witch Diana would say. King Robert promised to discuss the matter with his wife so that they could find a __6__ name. He agreed that it should be a name that they both would like. Queen Cheryl was __7__. She was sure that they could agree on a name that she would have __8__ in the first place. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

a. arrived b. informed c. approved d. defended a. strange b. long c. short d. fine a. call b. tell c. expect d. allow a. girl’s b. funny c. normal d. pretend a. afraid b. sure c. speaking d. laughing a. silly b. careful c. worse d. proper a. sorry b. angry c. delighted d. sleepy a. rejected b. asked c. chosen d. known

Name_________________________________ Date______ Reading Comprehension Volume 1, Number 17, A Story Starter: Miss Joan was an incredible kindergarten teacher who taught in a small rural school. She was very dedicated, working long hours to prepare interesting __1__ for her students. She helped her fellow teachers giving them many good __2__ to help them teach better. She loved her students and they loved her. Yes, in many ways she was nearly perfect. However, she did have two small flaws. First, she would hide __3__ in her desk. This would have been OK, except it attracted mice and other __4__ guests. Her other fault was that she was __5__ afraid of snakes. She wouldn’t allow anyone in her class to draw pictures of them or even say the word. Not even when her kids were __6__ about words that start with the letter S. One day these two characteristics came together in a shocking way A teacher who taught fourth grade down the hall knew about Miss Joan’s two weaknesses. He decided to have some fun at her expense. The teacher, Mr. Ell, bought a very __7__ rubber snake at the Science Store. When Miss Joan was out of the classroom, he hid the snake in a bag of __8__ that she kept in her desk drawer. See if you can write the rest of this story. 1. a. stories b. meals c. questions d. lessons 2. a. friends b. papers c. dreams d. ideas 3. a. snacks b. pens c. notes d. magnets 4. a. invited b. unwanted c. paying d. hotel 5. a. never b. slightly c. extremely d. once 6. a. learning b. laughing c. caring d. wishing 7. a. active b. talkative c. musical d. realistic 8. a. crayons b. stickers c. mints d. money 1_____2______3_____4_____5_____6_____7____8_____

Name__________________________________________ Date_____ Reading Comprehension Volume 1, Number 19 Freezing weather still holds sway, Enduring growing hours of light. But the cold must fade away Restoring spring, like day from night. Until at last the world is warm, At least next month, at least by then. Remember through each bitter storm -You’ll finally see the flowers again. 1. What do you think the title of this poem is? ( It’s hidden in the poem.) 2. What time of year do you think the poet prefers? Why? 3. “Enduring growing hours of light.” What does this line refer to? 4. “like day from night.” If “day” represents spring, what does “night” represent? 5. See if you can write a poem with the title or topic spelled out in a similar manner.