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Na m e : ___ Date: _
Directions: Read the letter below, then fill in the Venn diagram to compare and contrast
Malibu and Chicago. For more facts, look up information in an encyclopedia to
help you complete the diagram.Reading Comprehension • Saddleback Educational Publishing ©2002 3 Watson, Irvine, CA 92618•Phone (888)SDL-BACK•www.sdlback.com
Greetings from the windy city of Chicago, situated on beautiful Lake Michigan! Sorry for
the delay in writing, but my computer is on the blink since the movers dropped it. My
e-mail isn’t functioning properly; as a result, I must resort to snail mail. There are many
other bummers I have to deal with since leaving you in Malibu—the most difficult is not
waking up in the morning to a pristine view of the Pacific Ocean. The lake is magnificent,
but there aren’t any handsome surfers, tanned lifeguards, or compelling reasons to put on
my new bikini—just sailboats and gray skies.
I like my new school, but the kids don’t dress as stylishly as they do at Malibu Elementary.
Maybe because uniforms are required! Every student wears the same ugly green plaid vest
and either pants or a skirt. I’d rather wear a skirt, but it’s just been too darn cold to show
off my tan legs.
We also start school earlier here, at 7:55 a.m., so I’m usually either sleepy or late to school.
I liked it better in California with school starting at 8:25 a.m. Instead of a snack recess, we
go straight through the morning and are allowed more time for lunch recess. If you live
near school, you’re even allowed to go home for lunch!
Kids like to play tetherball at my new school. I’m a spaz at tetherball. Looks like this
handball champion has a lot of practicing to do! After school, most of the kids take the bus
home instead of walking like we used to. I guess that’s because it rains and snows a lot in
Chicago, unlike sunny Malibu! I miss attending our scouting meetings and tennis practice.
My mom said she is going to enroll me in singing lessons. Doesn’t that sound neat? Britney
Spears, watch out!
Well, I hope you are doing well back in Malibu. I miss you so much. When do you think
you can come for a visit? June? Well, until then, let’s not forget to wear the friendship
bracelets we made for each other. I wear mine every day!
Miss you,
Shelby’s Life Shelby
Malibu ChicagoBoth