Question 1

It wasn't until the 1950s that engineers developed rockets strong enough to launch objects into space. In 1957, the Soviet Union sent Sputnik, the first satellite, into orbit. Four years later, a Russian astronaut named Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space. He orbited earth for about 108 minutes in April 1961. That year, President John F. Kennedy announced a new American goal. He said we'd land on the moon within ten years! On July 20, 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon.

Accepted Answer

sequential

Question 2

What makes you sneeze? Sometimes when dirt or dust enters your nose, it tickles your nose and throat. This causes a release of histamines, a type of chemical. The histamines bother special cells in your nose. The cells send signals to your brain, and as a result your brain tells your body to sneeze. Since a sneeze lets out a fast blast of air, it sends the dirt or dust out of your nose. Gesundheit!

Accepted Answer

cause/effect

Question 3

Many places in the world often experience droughts, including California, Brazil, North Korea, Puerto Rico, and South Africa. Droughts can cause serious issues with growing crops, producing electricity, and wildlife. If there is drought where you live, there are always ways to conserve water. Look first for leaks. If your faucet drips, fix it fast. That can save a lot. Some other easy tricks are taking shorter showers, as well as turning off the tap when you're brushing your teeth.

Accepted Answer

problem/solution

Question 4

Different animals are good at guarding in different situations. Some people own dogs to guard their homes. Dogs can bark a warning when strangers (or mail carriers) show up. Dogs usually live well in city homes. But if you're in the country, you might prefer a donkey instead. That's especially true if you have sheep, pigs, or horses to protect. Donkeys can fight off coyotes and wolves better than many dogs. A donkey is easier to care for, too. It can just eat the grass in the pasture with the other animals.

Accepted Answer

compare/contrast

Question 5

You've probably heard of Yellowstone National Park, but how much do you know about it? Did you realize, for example, that Yellowstone was the world's first national park? In addition, this park is enormous. It's larger than the state of Delaware! People visit Yellowstone to see animals such as moose and bears. They also enjoy beautiful mountains and waterfalls, and more. It's well worth a visit.

Accepted Answer

descriptive

Question 6

For hikers who get lost in the woods, a compass can save lives. A compass is a simple tool made of a small case holding a floating needle, or pointer. The pointer has a magnet on the end that points to Earth's northern magnetic pole. Looking at the compass, lost hikers can see which direction is north. Knowing which way is north helps them figure out the other directions and find their way to safety.

Accepted Answer

problem/solution

Question 7

Mayors and governors are both elected to lead their communities. A mayor is in charge of running a city or town. A governor, on the other hand, is the head of an entire state's government. There are more mayors than governors. There are fifty governors, one for each state. However, there are thousands of towns and thousands of mayors in the United States. As a rule, a governor has more power than a mayor.

Accepted Answer

compare/contrast

Question 8

Passengers entering New York Harbor are greeted by a great lady. She is the Statue of Liberty, and she is hard to miss. For one thing, she stands alone on a small island in the middle of the harbor. For another, she's tall, very tall. From the ground to the top, she measures more than three hundred feet. That's as high as a thirty-story building. And she holds, raised high in her right hand, a torch to light the way.

Accepted Answer

descriptive

Question 9

The United States National Park Service is seeking to reduce the amount of waste going from national parks into landfills. The parks' remote locations make this a challenge because they don't have nearby recycling facilities. But the parks are making progress. For example, working with the companies that provide food to park visitors, the parks have succeeded in reducing the amount of disposable food packaging used. So, less trash is generated.

Accepted Answer

problem/solution

Question 10

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) examines published research in order to address the question of how to reduce injuries and deaths in traffic collisions. Based on the research findings, the CDC has concluded that the most effective way to improve safety is to increase seat belt use. The CDC recommends that states more strictly enforce laws that make seat belts a requirement. According to the CDC, these laws are highly effective in increasing seat belt use and saving lives.

Accepted Answer

problem/solution

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