Complete the Idea:
Modern beauty standards became more inclusive because _____________.
Answer: people began accepting a wider variety of appearances and backgrounds.
Support: Paragraph D, lines 2-6; Paragraph J, lines 1-4
Answer this question or sing a song!
Cincinnati is known as the birthplace of what professional sport?
A. Basketball
B. Soccer
C. Baseball
D. Football
Answer: C
(The Cincinnati Red Stockings became America's first professional baseball team.)
The first openly professional baseball team was the Cincinnati Red Stockings, organized in 1869 under manager Harry Wright.
The sports ________________ became more popular after several famous athletes wore its clothing.
brand
Why was Alek Wek considered different from traditional cover models?
A. She was younger than most models.
B. She represented features that were different from traditional beauty standards.
C. She had no modeling experience.
D. She was a social media influencer.
Answer: B
Justification: Paragraphs B-C explain the traditional standard of beauty and then contrast it with Wek's appearance.
Support: Paragraph B, lines 1-5; Paragraph C, lines 1-4
True/False: Fashion runway photos were commonly shared online in the 1990s.
False
Support: Paragraph F, lines 1-4
Instead of shouting in ______________, she calmly explained why she was upset.
anger
True/ False: Alek Wek was the first model to appear on the cover of Elle magazine.
False
Justification: She was the first African model to appear on the cover, not the first model overall.
Support: Paragraph D, line 1
True/ False: The author believes that everyone deserves to be represented in definitions of beauty.
True
Support: Paragraph J, lines 1-4
If you _______________ your teacher's feedback, it may be harder to improve your writing.
ignore
Technology has changed the way people communicate in modern ___________________.
society
Answer this question or sing a song!
What is Ohio's state tree?
A. Maple
B. Buckeye
C. Oak
D. Pine
Answer: B
True/False:
Traditional beauty standards focused largely on European features.
True
Support: Paragraph B, lines 1-5
Complete each sentence with the present perfect form of the verb in parentheses.
1. Online shopping __________ more popular over the last decade. (become)
2. Several new influencers __________ on social media this year. (appear)
-has become
-have appeared
According to the author, beauty today is becoming __________.
A. narrower
B. less important
C. more inclusive
D. more expensive
Answer: C
Justification: The author directly states that beauty is more inclusive than ever.
Support: Paragraph J, lines 1-2
A movie__________ said the film had great actors, but the story was confusing.
critic
Task: Read each paragraph. What does the last sentence do? Say:
O = Opinion
P = Prediction
Q = Question
R = Restatement (repeats the main idea)
Many cities are adding electric buses and bike lanes. These changes can reduce pollution and improve transportation. More people are also choosing environmentally friendly lifestyles. Cities will probably become greener in the future.
Answer: P (Prediction)
Change the Verb to a Noun:
Write the noun form of the word in parentheses.
After the earthquake, the __________ of people to safer areas happened quickly. (move)
Online __________ has become more common than cash in many stores. (pay)
movement, payment
Complete the idea:
Millennials and influencers have helped create a society where _____________.
Answer: more people feel seen, valued, and accepted.
Support: Paragraph I, lines 1-5; Paragraph J, lines 1-4
Teachers met with _____________ students and their families during the school's open house event.
potential
Answer this question or sing a song. What is unusual about Cincinnati's historic subway?
A. It operates underground and underwater.
B. It was built but never used for passenger service.
C. It has no stations.
D. It is the oldest subway in America.
Answer: B
What is Cincinnati's nickname?
A. River City
B. Queen City
C. Lake City
D. Buckeye Town
Answer: B. Queen City
Cincinnati earned the nickname “The Queen City” in the early 19th century when it was the largest, richest, and most culturally vibrant city in the American West, and you’ll still find “Queen City” signs across the city — from bus sides to menus and tourist spots.
Task: Read each paragraph. What does the last sentence do? Say:
O = Opinion
P = Prediction
Q = Question
R = Restatement (repeats the main idea)
Many students spend several hours each day on their phones. They use social media, watch videos, and communicate with friends online. Although technology offers many benefits, it can sometimes reduce face-to-face interaction. I think students need both online and in-person communication.
Answer: O (Opinion)
Answer the question or sing a song. Which famous animal that lives at the Cincinnati Zoo became an internet sensation?
A. Fiona the Hippo
B. Knut the Polar Bear
C. Jumbo the Elephant
D. Ling-Ling the Panda
Answer: A
The school has a/ an ____________________ environment where students from different backgrounds feel welcome.
accepting
Who was Alek Wek, and why was she important?
Answer: Alek Wek was a model who helped challenge traditional beauty standards and showed that different types of beauty could be represented in fashion.
Task: Read each paragraph. What does the last sentence do? Say:
O = Opinion
P = Prediction
Q = Question
R = Restatement (repeats the main idea)
More companies are allowing employees to work from home. Technology has made remote work easier than ever before. Remote work will probably continue to grow.
Answer: P (Prediction)
What is the state bird of Ohio?
A. Blue Jay
B. Bald Eagle
C. Cardinal
D. Robin
Answer: C. Cardinal
According to the reading, what is one reason beauty standards have changed?
A. Government regulations
B. Technology and social media
C. Declining interest in fashion
D. Fewer consumers
Answer: B
Justification: The author states that technology, especially social media, is one of the major reasons for changing beauty standards.
Support: Paragraph E, lines 1-5
Sing a song or answer a question:
Which famous company headquartered in Cincinnati makes products like Tide, Pampers, and Gillette?
A. Nike
B. Procter & Gamble
C. Coca-Cola
D. Amazon
Answer: B. Procter & Gamble
In many cities, it has become ________________ to see people working remotely from cafés, libraries, and other public spaces.
common
Task: Read each paragraph. What does the last sentence do? Say:
O = Opinion
P = Prediction
Q = Question
R = Restatement (repeats the main idea)
Learning a second language can improve communication skills and create new opportunities. It can also help people understand different cultures. Overall, learning another language has many benefits.
Answer: R (Restatement)
Change the Verb to a Noun
Write the noun form of the word in parentheses.
The __________ asked several difficult questions during the job interview. (interview)
The __________ was responsible for making decisions about the movie. (direct)
-interviewer
-director
Cincinnati was once nicknamed:
A. Steel City
B. Porkopolis
C. Motor City
D. Queen of the Lakes
Answer: B. Porkopolis
Cincinnati’s pork industry began shortly after the city was incorporated in 1819, with the establishment of its first slaughterhouse. By the late 1820s, Cincinnati had a booming pork trade contributing greatly to its economy.
Students who study hard all semester ____________ a chance to celebrate their success.
deserve
What can we infer about influencers?
A. They help shape public opinions about beauty.
B. They work only for fashion magazines.
C. They have less power than ordinary consumers.
D. They design most fashion products.
Answer: A
Justification: Influencers and their followers influence what people want to see represented.
Support: Paragraph I, lines 3-6
Which snack was invented in Ohio?
A. Doritos
B. Potato chips
C. Pringles
D. Oreos
Answer: C. Pringles
Pringles were invented in the United States in 1968 by Procter & Gamble, with development work starting in 1956 in Ohio.
Task: Read each paragraph. What does the last sentence do? Say:
O = Opinion
P = Prediction
Q = Question
R = Restatement (repeats the main idea)
People learn in different ways. Some students learn best through discussion, while others prefer visual materials. Effective teachers use a variety of teaching methods. Overall, different teaching methods help students learn.
Answer: R (Restatement)
Modern ______________ often read online reviews, compare prices across several websites, and watch product demonstrations before making a purchase.
consumers
How has the definition of beauty changed since the 1990s?
Answer: The definition of beauty has become more inclusive and now represents a wider variety of people, appearances, and backgrounds.
Which famous board game company was founded in Cincinnati?
A. Hasbro
B. Milton Bradley
C. Parker Brothers
D. The company that created UNO
Answer: D. UNO was created in Ohio
Uno is a card game invented in 1971 by Merle Robbins, a barber from Reading, Ohio — a suburb of Cincinnati.
Task: Read each paragraph. What does the last sentence do? Say:
O = Opinion
P = Prediction
Q = Question
R = Restatement (repeats the main idea)
Many people use smartphones to communicate, shop, and find information. Technology is now part of daily life around the world. How has technology changed your life?
Answer: Q (Question)
What does the reading suggest people deserve regarding beauty and representation?
Answer: The reading suggests that everyone deserves to feel represented and included in society's definition of beauty.
Change the Verb to a Noun:
Write the noun form of the word in parentheses.
The fashion __________ created clothing inspired by traditional art. (design)
The bus __________ safely transported passengers across the city. (drive)
designer
driver
Make Inferences: What is the author's attitude toward the new definition of beauty?
A. Strongly negative
B. Neutral and uninterested
C. Generally supportive
D. Confused
Answer: C
Justification: The article repeatedly emphasizes inclusion, acceptance, and broader representation as positive developments.
Support: Paragraphs D, I, and J
Anser this question or sing a song!
Which famous astronaut was born in Ohio and became the first person to walk on the Moon?
A. John Glenn
B. Neil Armstrong
C. Buzz Aldrin
D. Alan Shepard
B. Neil Armstrong
Make Inferences:
What can we infer about beauty standards before Alek Wek appeared on the cover of Elle?
A. They were very diverse.
B. They included people of all backgrounds.
C. They were relatively narrow and limited.
D. They were influenced by social media.
Answer: C
Justification: Paragraph B describes a very specific and limited standard of beauty.
Support: Paragraph B, lines 1-5
Complete each sentence with the present perfect form of the verb in parentheses.
1. Since 2010, social media sites __________ the way companies advertise their products. (change)
2. Many fashion brands __________ more diverse models in recent years. (hire)
have changed
have hired
Change the Verb to a Noun:
Write the noun form of the word in parentheses.
1. Winning a gold medal was a major __________ in her career. (achieve)
2. The concert provided great __________ for the audience. (entertain)
achievement, entertainment