Reading Comprehension and Skills Booklet -Grade 2

Answer Key

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Name Reading about Social Studies

A giant bell called the Liberty Bell stands for freedom in the United States. It The Liberty Bell

measures 30 feet (10 meters) high and 12 feet (3.7 meters) around. The bell was rung in 1776 to call people to hear the Declaration of Independence. This speech

told them that the American colonies were breaking away from England to form their own country. The bell has a large crack in it, so it cannot be used anymore.

The last time the Liberty Bell was rung was in 1846. Today, the bell stands in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Even though the bell cannot be

rung any longer, it still reminds Americans of the people who fought so their country could be free.

1. What is the main idea of this story? a. The Liberty Bell stands for freedom.
   b. People fought so they could be free. c. The Americans broke away to form their own country.


2. What does the Liberty Bell look like?


3. Why was the bell rung in 1776?


4. Where is the Liberty Bell today?


5. When was the Liberty Bell last rung?


6. What does the Liberty Bell remind Americans of?

Read the story. Then, answer the questions.

thirty feet high, twelve feet around, has a
large crack in it
to call people to hear a great speech
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
18 4 6
the people who fought so Americans could be free
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Name Reading about Social Studies

Earth has seven continents: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, South Continents
America, and North America. All of these continents used to make up one big continent, but over thousands of years the land split. Huge pieces of land drifted
apart. The oceans filled in the spaces between the pieces of land. The continents we know today were the result. Each continent looks different and has different
plants, animals, and weather than the others. North America does not have tigers, but Asia does. Antarctica does not have a jungle, but South America does. The
continents do have similarities too. Some of these similarities seem to be because the seven continents used to be one big piece of land.

1. What is the main idea of this story? a. Earth is made of land and water.
   b. c. Earth has seven continents, which used to be one piece of land.Earth has many types of animals, plants, and weather.


2. List the seven continents.


3. How long did it take for the continents to form?


4. How are the continents different?


5. Which type of land can you find in South America?


6. Why might continents with an ocean between them have similarities?

Read the story. Then, answer the questions.

Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe,

South America, North America

thousands of years

They have different plants, animals, and weather.

a jungle

They used to be one big piece of land.

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Name Reading about Social Studies

The United States’ national government has three branches, or parts. The The U.S. Government

president leads the country, makes sure that people follow the law, and meets with leaders from other nations. Congress makes laws that apply to people all over the

country. Congress has two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Supreme Court is made up of nine judges who review the laws that Congress

passes. Each branch of government has some power over the other two. This means that no one branch can be too powerful. This system of government has

worked for over 200 years!

1. What is the main idea of this story? a. There are nine judges on the Supreme Court.
   b. The national government has worked for 200 years. c. The U.S. government has three parts that have different powers.


2. What does the president of the United States do?


3. What does Congress do?


4. How many judges serve on the Supreme Court?


5. Why is it important that no branch be too powerful?

Read the story. Then, answer the questions.

leads the country, makes sure people follow the

law, meets with leaders from other nations

makes laws that apply to people all over the

country

nine

Answers will vary.

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Name Reading about Social Studies

Have you ever voted for class president? Maybe your class has cast votes for The Right to Vote
the best movie star or type of ice cream. Voting for members of the government is very important. In the 6nited States and Canada, you have to be 1 to vote in one
of these elections. Not everyone has been able to vote in the past. In the 6nited States, women were not allowed to vote until 120. A special law was passed in
165 to make sure that all adults get to vote. When you vote, you have a say in who serves in the government and what kinds of laws they pass. Some people say that
voting is the most important thing that people can do.

1. What is the main idea of this story? a. Chocolate ice cream is the best.
   b. Not everyone can vote in the 6nited States. c. Voting is an important thing for people to be able to do.


2. Who can vote in the 6nited States and Canada?


3. What happens in an a. People cast votes. election?
   b. People have to be 1. c. People pass laws.


4. When were 6.S. women first allowed to vote?


5. What happened in the 6nited States after a special law was passed in 165?


6. Why is voting important?

Read the story. Then, answer the questions.

19 2 0

All adults got to vote.

Answers will vary.

people who are at least 18