I Dissent
Which answer best states a main idea of I Dissent!
a. Ruth Bader Ginsburg has spent her life fighting for equal rights and opportunities for all.
b. Ruth Bader Ginsburg meets her husband when they attend the same law school.
c. Ruth Bader Ginsburg enjoys spending time with other judges.
d. Ruth Bader Ginsburg changes what she wears to show how she plans to vote in court.
a. Ruth Bader Ginsburg has spent her life fighting for equal rights and opportunities for all.
She cleared a path for people to follow in her footsteps—girls in college, women in law school, and everyone who wants to be treated without prejudice.
What does the sentence tell readers about Ruth Bader Ginsburg?
a. She has made it easier for others to have more equality and accomplish goals.
b. She expects people to do the same things she has done to be successful in life.
c. She believes too many things stand in the way for women feel equal to others.
d. She has dared to travel to places that no one before her has been before.
a. She has made it easier for others to have more equality and accomplish goals.
What is a main idea of the book, Michelle Obama: First Lady, Going Higher?
a. Michelle Obama experiences prejudice throughout her life.
b. Michelle Obama plants gardens to provide vegetables to schools.
c. The Obama family eats dinner together as much as possible.
d. LeBron James and Michelle Obama meet at the White House.
a. Michelle Obama experiences prejudice throughout her life.
How can readers learn more about important government buildings?
a. follow the Branches of Government link
b. Choose the Symbols, songs and Structures icon
c. over over the Learner Adventures icon
b. Choose the Symbols, songs and Structures icon
Some people didn't believe women should go to college. And others thought it would be impossible for a blind and deaf person. People said to her, "'No deaf-blind person has ever taken a college course,'….Even if you succeed in passing the entrance examinations, you cannot go on after you get into college. You have no books. You cannot hear lectures. You cannot make notes. You are most foolish to attempt something in which you are sure to fail.'" But Helen was determined.
What is most likely the meaning of lectures?
a. talks given to teach others
b. types of music
c. loud noises
d. ideas one does not agree with
a. talks given to teach others
Which detail from the text best supports the answer to Part A?
a. "And after their opinions were written…the two justices had fun with each other!"
b. "She made change happen, and she changed minds."
c. "…she wears a special lace collar over her robe."
d. "After college, they would go to law school—both of them."
b. "She made change happen, and she changed minds."
Which answer best states a main idea of I Dissent!?
a. Ruth Bader Ginsburg grows up in a neighborhood where people are mostly alike.
b. Ruth Bader Ginsburg believes that women should place marriage before college or work.
c. Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s mother helps Ruth believe she can become whatever she wants to be.
d. Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s school years are unpleasant because she refuses to do what she is told.
c. Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s mother helps Ruth believe she can become whatever she wants to be.
Michelle Obama and her brother learn important values from their parents. Which details from the text best supports this idea?
Choose two correct answers.
a. "Michelle played with Barbies. She took dance lessons."
b. "They taught them…to reach back and help others."
c. "Michelle’s parents taught her and Craig to aim high…"
d. "Michelle’s brother got into Princeton University…"
b. "They taught them…to reach back and help others."
c. "Michelle’s parents taught her and Craig to aim high…"
How can readers find information about how people choose their government leaders?
a. Choose the Election Process Icon
b. Hover over the How Laws are Made Icon
c. Follow the Library links
a. Choose the Election Process Icon
Helen and Sullivan worked hard at Radcliffe College. Annie went to all of Helen's classes and helped with reading. This is because Radcliffe was not prepared for deaf or blind students. Many of the other students had never met a deaf and blind person. At the time, many people believed that people with disabilities, like deafness or blindness, not smart enough to go to college. Helen helped change people's perceptions about people with disabilities.
What is most likely the meaning of perceptions?
a. guesses
b. actions
c. beliefs
d. questions
c. beliefs
Along with eight other Supreme Court justices, her job would be to decide the most significant cases and answer the most difficult legal questions in the United States.
What is the meaning of significant?
a. annoying
b. important
c. popular
d. unlikely
b. important
excerpt from I Dissent!
In 1940, little Ruth’s neighborhood was vibrant with immigrants—people from Italy, Ireland, England, Poland, and Germany. Jews from Russia, like Ruth’s father, Nathan Bader. People from different cultures with different holidays, foods, and traditions.
What is the meaning of immigrants
a. people from one country who move to another country to live
b. people who enjoy traveling around the world
c. people who own businesses
d. people who live in the country where they were born
a. people from one country who move to another country to live
In her last speech as First Lady, what is Michelle Obama’s message for young people?
Choose the detail from the text that best answers the question
a. 'I’m asking you to stop settling for the world as it is,' she told people…"
b. "'Do not ever let anyone make you feel like you don’t matter…because you do.'"
c. "She talked about the things she and Barack believed in."
d. "But Michelle said her most important job was being Sasha and Malia’s mom."
b. "'Do not ever let anyone make you feel like you don’t matter…because you do.'"
The executive branch of our Government is in charge of making sure that the laws of the United States are obeyed. The President of the United States is the head of the executive branch. The President gets help from the Vice President, department heads (called Cabinet members), and heads of independent agencies. Here are some of the things those people do:
The President leads the country and commands the military. The Vice President becomes President if the President can no longer do the job and is also President of the Senate. Department heads advise the President on issues and help carry out decisions made by the Government. Independent Agencies also help carry out decisions made by the Government or provide special services.
Choose two details that describe how members of the executive branch work with the president.
a. "The executive branch of our Government is in charge of making sure that the laws of the United States are obeyed."
b. "Independent Agencies also help carry out decisions made by the Government or provide special services."
c. "The President of the United States is the head of the executive branch."
d. "Department heads advise the President on issues and help carry out decisions made by the Government."
b. "Independent Agencies also help carry out decisions made by the Government or provide special services."
d. "Department heads advise the President on issues and help carry out decisions made by the Government."
excerpt from Helen Keller
courtesy of Library of Congress
Helen Keller served as an advocate for people with disabilities. She traveled around the world to make a difference for people with disabilities. She talked about what it felt like to be treated unfairly. She spoke with presidents, celebrities, and ordinary people. She shared her experiences and her ideas for change. She worked to help all people feel equal and included.
What is most likely the meaning of advocate?
a. supporter
b. guide
c. officer
d. professor
a. supporter
Why is it so difficult for Ruth Bader Ginsburg to find a job after she finishes law school?
Select the detail from the text that best answers the question.
a. "Lawyers, Ruth had learned, could fight unfairness and prejudice in courts."
b. "Here were independent girls and women, taking charge."
c. "She was a woman. Men didn’t want to work with a woman."
d. "She resisted. And persisted."
c. "She was a woman. Men didn’t want to work with a woman."
Three strikes against her. But Ruth was not out.
What does the sentence tell readers about Ruth Bader Ginsburg?
a. She succeeds despite difficult conditions.
b. She doubts she can have a career and be a good mother.
c. She must work harder than others because she lacks talent.
d. She is not accepted because she is bad at sports.
a. She succeeds despite difficult conditions.
Think about the things that Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Michelle Obama believe in. How are their beliefs similar? Choose two correct answers.
a. Both think it is important for people to believe in themselves.
b. Both feel that everyone deserves to be treated equally.
c. Both know that there are limits to what women can do.
d. Both recognize that work is more important than motherhood.
a. Both think it is important for people to believe in themselves.
b. Both feel that everyone deserves to be treated equally.
How can readers figure out what government words mean?
a. Follow the Glossary Link
b. Choose the historical Documents icon
c. return to the homepage
a. Follow the Glossary Link
Pandas mostly eat bamboo. Their teeth are shaped to help them bite off stalks of bamboo. They have large molars, or back teeth and strong jaws help crush the bamboo. Ninety percent of pandas’ food comes from bamboo. This makes a panda mostly an herbivore, or plant-eating animal. They eat sitting upright, holding the food with their front paws. Bamboo does not contain a lot of vitamins and minerals. It is hard to digest, so pandas eat 20 to 40 pounds of it per day. However, pandas do not need to drink much water. They get much of the water their bodies need from the bamboo they eat.
Which two details from the passage best supports this idea?
a. "Their teeth are shaped to help them bite off stalks of bamboo."
b. "They have large molars, or back teeth and strong jaws help crush the bamboo."
c. "Bamboo does not contain a lot of vitamins and minerals."
d. "This makes a panda mostly an herbivore, or plant-eating animal."
a. "Their teeth are shaped to help them bite off stalks of bamboo."
b. "They have large molars, or back teeth and strong jaws help crush the bamboo."
Why does Ruth Bader Ginsburg decide to go to law school?
Select the detail from the text that best answers the question.
a. "Lawyers, Ruth had learned, could fight unfairness and prejudice in courts."
b. "Three months later, she left home to attend college."
c. "Ruth’s law school class had a total of nine women—and five hundred men."
d. "A lady lawyer? People disapproved."
a. "Lawyers, Ruth had learned, could fight unfairness and prejudice in courts."
Ruth, her family knew, had mastered the art of burnt pot roast. What does the sentence tell readers about Ruth Bader Ginsburg?
a. She is not a good cook.
b. Her cooking is creative.
c. Her family enjoys her cooking.
d. She does not have time to cook.
a. She is not a good cook.
Think about the things that Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Michelle Obama accomplished in life. How are their accomplishments similar? Choose two correct answers.
a. Both acted to change the world and improve lives.
b. Both were the first to do something no one had done before.
c. Both helped children learn more about healthy diets and exercise.
d. Both ruled against laws that are unfair to others.
a. Both acted to change the world and improve lives.
b. Both were the first to do something no one had done before.
The bell was first made in 1752 for the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. The bell was cast in London, England, and shipped to Pennsylvania. Soon after it arrived, the bell cracked. In 1753, a new bell was cast from the same metal by John Pass and John Stow. Their names and the year in Roman numerals, MDCCLIII, are marked on the bell. It also has a Bible verse written on it: “Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof” (Leviticus 25:10).
In the early 1800s, people who wanted to outlaw slavery called it the “Liberty Bell” and used it as a symbol for their cause. In 1846, another crack began to develop in the bell and it was repaired. It rang for George Washington’s birthday in that same year, but then it cracked again and has not been rung since. The bell traveled around the country after the Civil War (1861-1865), and since 1915 it has stayed in Philadelphia. The Liberty Bell is now on display in a visitor center next to Independence Hall, where many people come to see it each year.
What is a main idea of the excerpt?
A. The Liberty Bell is a symbol of freedom.
B. The Liberty Bell is rung to honor special occasions.
C. The Liberty Bell was first named for the people who made it.
D. The Liberty Bell was made in Pennsylvania.
A. The Liberty Bell is a symbol of freedom.
When Helen Keller was 19 months old, she got sick and lost her sight and hearing. Anne Sullivan was Helen’s lifelong teacher and assistant. Annie taught Helen to read, write, and speak. During her lifetime, Helen graduated from college and became a best-selling author. Her accomplishments as a deaf and blind person were an inspiration to millions.
Helen Keller served as an advocate for people with disabilities. She traveled around the world to make a difference for people with disabilities. She talked about what it felt like to be treated unfairly. She spoke with presidents, celebrities, and ordinary people. She shared her experiences and her ideas for change. She worked to help all people feel equal and included.
Helen Keller wanted to go to college. And not just any college, Keller wanted to go to Harvard. But it was the 1890s and Harvard didn't accept women. So, Helen decided to try Radcliffe College. Radcliffe was started in 1879 to provide college level classes for women and officially became a college for women in 1894. In 1899, just after her 19th birthday, Keller took the entrance exams for Radcliffe College. She passed all of them! She even received honors in German and English! Her dream of going to college was coming true.
Some people didn't believe women should go to college. And others thought it would be impossible for a blind and deaf person. People said to her, "'No deaf-blind person has ever taken a college course,'….Even if you succeed in passing the entrance examinations, you cannot go on after you get into college. You have no books. You cannot hear lectures. You cannot make notes. You are most foolish to attempt something in which you are sure to fail.'" But Helen was determined.
Helen and Sullivan worked hard at Radcliffe College. Annie went to all of Helen's classes and helped with reading. This is because Radcliffe was not prepared for deaf or blind students. Many of the other students had never met a deaf and blind person. At the time, many people believed that people with disabilities, like deafness or blindness, not smart enough to go to college. Helen helped change people's perceptions about people with disabilities.
While taking classes, Helen also wrote her autobiography, The Story of My Life. In 1904, 24-year-old Helen Keller graduated with honors. She fulfilled her dream and showed the world what a determined deaf and blind woman could do!
What is the Main idea?
Helen proves that people with disabilities can accomplish important things