Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: The Elves and the Shoemaker [Pdf]
"The Elves and the Shoemaker" is a one page, fairy tale about elves who worked all night making shoes to help the poor shoemaker. The shoemaker and his wife made clothes for the elves to thank them. It is followed by constructed-response...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: The Lion and the Spider [Pdf]
"The Lion and the Spider" is a one page fable about a lion who tried to get a spider to make a web for him big enough to catch his food. The spider said that was not possible, the lion tore down its web, and the spider bit him on the...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: The Turtle and the Ducks [Pdf]
"The Turtle and the Ducks" is a one page fairy tale/fable a turtle who wants to fly south with the ducks. They develop a plan, but the turtle will have to keep his mouth shut. It is followed by constructed-response questions which...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Chicago: Deval Patrick [Pdf]
"Chicago Is a City of Possibilities" is an inauguration speech by Deval Patrick given as he became governor of Massachusetts. It is followed by questions which require students to provide evidence from the story; it includes determining...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: John F. Kennedy's Remarks, Berlin [Pdf]
"John F. Kennedy: Remarks in the Rudolph Wilde Platz, Berlin" is a one page persuasive speech delivered by JFK on June 26, 1963. In it he commended West Germany in its efforts to have a democratic government and berated the Communists...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Nature's Violet Children [Pdf]
"Nature's Violet Children" is a one page, folktale about violets who were sad because a little girl picked them and took them home. It is followed by open-ended questions which require students to provide evidence from the story; it...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: The Cloud [Pdf]
"The Cloud" is a one-page, folktale about a cloud who moved closer to the earth, despite warnings that it would die, to save the drought-stricken plants and animals. It is followed by questions which require students to provide evidence...
Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility
Jefferson Lab: Where Plants and Animals Live
Read and fill in the blanks of this passage explaining habitats where plants and animals live. Each blank has a dropdown menu with choices. When you finish, click CHECK MY ANSWERS. If you pick a wrong answer, the right answer will be...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: My First Baseball Game With Q&a [Pdf]
"My First Baseball Game" is a one page, fictional, reading passage about a boy and his sister going to their first baseball game and learning what it means to be Chicago Cubs fans. It is followed by constructed-response questions which...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: My First Baseball Game With Q & a Key [Pdf]
"My First Baseball Game" is a one page, fictional, reading passage about a boy and his sister going to their first baseball game and learning what it means to be Chicago Cubs fans. It is followed by constructed-response questions which...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: The Little Red Hen [Pdf]
"The Little Red Hen" is a one page fable about the other animals not helping the little red hen plant wheat, harvest it, or bake the bread, so they did not get to eat it either. It is followed by constructed-response questions which...
Rong-Chang ESL
Esl: English for Intermediate Learners (2): A Life Saving Cow
This site, geared toward English as a Second Language students, provides "A Life-Saving Cow" as a reading exercise and audio translation. Multiple choice questions, vocabulary practice, close exercises, crosswords, closed questions,...
Rong-Chang ESL
Esl: English for Intermediate Learners (2): Driver Loses Mabel, Finds Jail
This site, geared toward English as a Second Language students, provides "Driver Loses Mabel, Finds Jail" as a reading exercise and audio translation. Multiple choice questions, vocabulary practice, close exercises, crosswords, closed...
Rong-Chang ESL
Esl: English for Intermediate Learners (2): Water Under the Sink (Continued)
This site, geared toward English as a Second Language students, provides a continuation of "Water Under the Sink" as a reading exercise and audio translation. Multiple choice questions, vocabulary practice, close exercises, crosswords,...
Rong-Chang ESL
Esl: English for Intermediate Learners (2): A Festival of Books
This site, geared toward English as a Second Language students, provides "A Festival of Books" as a reading exercise and audio translation. Multiple choice questions, vocabulary practice, close exercises, crosswords, closed questions,...
Rong-Chang ESL
Esl: English for Intermediate Learners (2): Getting Older but Not Sitting Around
This site, geared toward English as a Second Language students, provides "Getting Older But Not Sitting Around" as a reading exercise and audio translation. Multiple choice questions, vocabulary practice, close exercises, crosswords,...
Rong-Chang ESL
Esl: English for Intermediate Learners (2): Crazy Housing Prices
This site, geared toward English as a Second Language students, provides "Crazy Housing Prices" as a reading exercise and audio translation. Multiple choice questions, vocabulary practice, close exercises, crosswords, closed questions,...
Rong-Chang ESL
Esl: English for Intermediate Learners (2): Agencies Get Millions for Homeless
This site, geared toward English as a Second Language students, provides "Agencies Get Millions for Homeless" as a reading exercise and audio translation. Multiple choice questions, vocabulary practice, close exercises, crosswords,...
Rong-Chang ESL
Esl: English for Intermediate Learners (2): Tenants Watch Building Burn
This site, geared toward English as a Second Language students, provides "Tenants Watch Building Burn" as a reading exercise and audio translation. Multiple choice questions, vocabulary practice, close exercises, crosswords, closed...
Read Works
Readworks: Refueling
[Free Registration/Login Required] This is a six-page PDF fiction passage entitled "Refueling" followed by 10 comprehension questions. A link to the answer key is provided. Click on double arrows on top right to download, print, or view...
Rong-Chang ESL
Esl: English for Intermediate Learners (2): Water Under the Sink
This site, geared toward English as a Second Language students, provides "Water Under the Sink" as a reading exercise and audio translation. Multiple choice questions, vocabulary practice, close exercises, crosswords, closed questions,...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Learning About the Solar System [Pdf]
"Learning about the Solar System" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about scientists and learning about our solar system and how it works. It is followed by constructed-response questions which require students to provide...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Prairie Changes [Pdf]
"Prairie Changes" is a one page, nonfiction passage about the changes in the prairie over time and the effect it has on plants, animals, and habitats. It is followed by an open-ended question which requires students to provide evidence...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Pilsen, a Community Changes [Pdf]
"Pilsen, A Community Changes" is a one page, nonfiction passage about the Chicago community of Pilsen which was settled by Bohemian immigrants but later became a Mexican-American community. The two groups of people worked together to...