Placement Test 1
Level 1 3
1 Woman in the News 3
A news reporter begins her career“in the news.” 3
2 Ride’Em,Cowhand 6
Let’s go to the rodeo. 6
3 His Career Pumps lron 9
Arnold Schwarzenegger wanted a different kind of“weighty”career. 9
Author Sandra Cisneros tells why it is good to be different. 12
4 It’s Good to be Different! 12
5 A Different Drummer 15
Terri Lyne Carrington began drumming when she was only seven. 15
6 Mountain of lce 18
What sunk the unsinkable? 18
7 Searching for Roots 21
Do you know about your heritage? 21
8 It’s All in the Stars 24
What is your sign? 24
Why did Beatrix Potter write The Tale of Peter Rabbit? 27
9 Art With Heart 27
You can do almost anything if you put your heart and mind to it! 30
10 Chris Burke s Life Goes On 30
11 Backpacking 33
How would you prepare for a trip in the woods? 33
12 Doctor Bill 36
Bill Cosby thinks that learning can be funny! 36
13 In the Days of Dinosaurs 39
What was it like millions of years ago? 39
What happens in a jingle-dress dance? 42
14 Wow!A Powwow! 42
15 A Dolphin Performs 45
How smart do you think dolphins are? 45
Test 1 48
Test 2 51
Level 2 55
16 Salsa Star 55
Anything is possible for Rubén Blades,a man of many talents. 55
Twyla Tharp dances to a rhythm all her own. 58
17 Rebel in Rhythm 58
18 Upskiing 61
Getting up the mountain can be just as exciting. 61
19 An American First 64
Who was the first African American governor of Virginia? 64
20 High Flyer 67
Can you imagine doing three somersaults in midair? 67
21 Nobel Prize Winner 70
Why is Rosalyn Yalow famous? 70
A dangerous job takes care and cooperation. 73
22 Walking High Steel 73
23 Born to Write 76
The crops Gary Soto harvested are now in words. 76
24 The Grey Cup 79
In Canada,the Super Bowl is just another football game. 79
25 The Rosetta Stone 82
Scientists can read about ancient history. 82
26 Cruise Control 85
What was school like for Tom Cruise? 85
Edward James Olmos batted his way to stardom 88
27 A Home-Run Hitter 88
Who is the greatest tenor? 91
28 Born to Sing 91
29 Shooting Back 94
A photographer’s idea helps the homeless. 94
30 San Gennaro 97
An Italian festival in New York City means fun,music,and lots of food! 97
Test 3 100
Test 4 102
Robin Williams knows how to think on his feet. 107
Level 3 107
31 This Joker is Wild! 107
32 The Oldest Flying Machine 110
It’s not the Wright brothers…it’s hot-air balloons! 110
33 Go for the Gold 113
Grandma and Grandpa aren’t what they used to be! 113
34 A City Without Roads 116
There’s not a paved road in the city of Venice.Italy. 116
Alexa Canady was the first African American female neurosurgeon. 119
35 Operating With Success 119
36 Soul at Its Best 122
Aretha Franklin sings the blues with plenty of soul. 122
37 Safari—American Style 125
You can drive through a mighty jungle. 125
38 Drawing with Words 128
Nicholasa Mohr uses words to paint a picture. 128
39 A Dangerous Jump 132
The U.S.Forest Service has a very brave division. 132
Bryant Oumbel is one of the most popular TV news hosts. 136
40 News Host for the Nineties 136
41 Prima Ballerina 139
Native American Maria Tall Chief became a world-famous ballerina. 139
42 Discovering a New World 142
Exploring the sea is only for people with training. 142
43 Lucky This Time Around 145
Billy Crystal doesn’t need a crystal ball to know he’s famous. 145
44 Too Cold for Comfort 148
How do people in Siberia live in a bleak and barren land? 148
Illustrators Leo and Diane Dillon work as one. 151
45 A Double Vision 151
Karate demonstrates respect and spirituality. 154
46 The Art of Self-Defense 154
47 Life on a Rope 157
Mountain climbing is not for people who are afraid of heights. 157
48 If I Had a Hammer 160
Former President Jimmy Carter hammers nails and saws wood for charity. 160
49 Goalies Must Have Courage 163
Despite the bruises,hockey players like the action. 163
The most popular sport in Spain is also the most dangerous. 166
50 The Bullfight 166
Test 5 169
Test 6 172
Level 4 177
51 Cartoon Man 177
How did Jim Carrey become“cartoon man”? 177
52 On-and Off-Screen Parent 180
How did Phylicia Rashad juggle two families? 180
A bird structure captures the hearts of New York’s Long Islanders. 183
53 Duck Doings 183
54 Seeking No Glory 186
Robert Shaw was the commander of the first African American regiment. 186
55 London’s Tower 189
The Tower of London is a fortress,palace,prison,and museum. 189
56 A Kid for Koko 192
Why do scientists want Koko to have a baby? 192
57 The Smallest Star 195
Former actress Shirley Temple Black is now starring in a new career. 195
58 Clown College 199
Students are learning the art of making people laugh. 199
59 Flying Messengers 202
Birds help a city in wartime. 202
60 A Great Warrior 205
Crazy Horse defended the land of the Sioux nation. 205
61 A Talent for Sharing 208
Toni Morrison finds success in teaching and writing. 208
Is the octopus and animal to fear? 211
62 Creature of the Deep 211
63 Net Gainer 214
Michael Jordan returns to basketball. 214
64 Strange Creatures 217
Why are Galápagos Island’s creatures so different? 217
65 The Chimp Lady 220
Jane Goodall teaches people about chimpanzees. 220
66 Into the Future 223
Why do fans love“Star Trek”so much? 223
Desert animals survive in a harsh environment. 226
67 Life in the Desert 226
68 Colosseum Games 229
These games were the Romans’favorite entertainment. 229
69 Collecting Cards 232
How much are trading cards worth? 232
Test 7 236
Test 8 239
Glossary 242
Answer key 256