Rain drummed on the windows all Saturday, and the twins, Leo and Lucia, were bored. Leo wanted to build a fort. Lucia wanted to put on a puppet show. They argued until Dad said, "Why not both?" The twins looked at each other. They dragged the couch cushions into a circle and draped a blanket over two chairs. Then Lucia cut a window in a cardboard box and set it on top for a puppet stage. Leo made a ticket booth from a laundry basket. They…
Try this question: Rain drummed on the windows. What does drummed mean here?
In 1860, there was no telephone or internet, and mail could take weeks to cross the United States. A company started the Pony Express to carry letters faster. Riders on fast horses carried mail nearly 2,000 miles from Missouri to California. Every 10 to 15 miles, a rider stopped at a station to switch to a fresh horse. After about 75 to 100 miles, a new rider took over. This way, the mail kept moving day and night. A letter could cross the…
Try this question: A rider switched to a fresh horse. What does fresh mean here?
Grandpa Ray woke Luis before sunrise. "Fish like to eat early," he whispered. They walked to the end of the dock with two poles and a bucket of shrimp. Grandpa showed Luis how to hook the bait and cast the line far out into the water. Then they waited. And waited. Luis wiggled. He checked his line every few seconds. "Patience," Grandpa said. "The water is not in a hurry." After an hour, Luis's line jerked. He reeled slowly, the way Grandpa…
Try this question: Grandpa says, "Patience." What does patience mean?