Reading Comprehension and Skills Booklet -Grade 2

(Marvins-Underground-K-12) #1
Answer Key

CD-104304 • © Carson-Dellosa 91

Name Reading about Social Studies

Do you know the difference between a city and a town? In general, a city is Cities and Towns
much larger. In a town, you may have only one school that everyone your age goes to. A city may have many schools for people of the same age. They may have
sports teams that play each other for a city title. In a town, you may know most of the other people living there. In a city, you may know only the people on your block
or in your building. A city may have more money to provide services, but more people are trying to use those services. There are good and bad things about living
in either place.


  1. What is the main idea of this story? a. Cities are better for young people to live in.
    b. There are good and bad things about life in a town or a city. c. People in towns never have any money.

  2. How are schools different in cities and towns?

  3. Who might you know in a town?

  4. Who might you know in a city?

  5. What are some good and bad things about living in a town?


Read the story. Then, answer the questions.

towns—only one school for people of the same age;
cities—many schools for people of the same age
most of the other people living there
only the people on your block or in your building
Answers will vary.

90 CD-104304 • © Carson-Dellosa


Name Reading about Social Studies


People may not use railroads much today, but they play an important part in Railroads
history. For centuries, railroads have helpIn the United States, travel was much harder before a railroad tied together the ed carry people and goods long distances.
eastern and western parts of the country. Workers in the eastern United States built a railroad heading west. A different crew in the west started building a railroad
heading east. In 1869, the two lines met in the state of Utah. The crews hammered in a special golden nail to tie the two tracks together. After that, people could travel
from one coast of the United States to the other! The next time you have to stop at a railroad crossing to let a train go by, think about how important railways have been
in history.



  1. What is the main idea of this story? a. Railroads have an important history in the United States.
    b. No one uses railroads today. c. You have to stop to let trains go by.

  2. Why was traveling harder before the railroads were built?

  3. Where did the two railroads begin?

  4. Where did the two lines meet?

  5. Why did the crews use a golden nail?

  6. Why do more people still not travel across the United States on a train?


Read the story. Then, answer the questions.


Answers will vary.
one in the east, one in the west
Utah
Answers will vary.

Answers will vary.

CD-104304 • © Carson-Dellosa 89

Name Reading about Social Studies

As more people moved to the new nation of the United States, people wanted Going West
more room. They wanted to raise their faMany decided to move west and traveled in groups of covered wagons. Dusty trail milies on land that was clean and open.
life brought new dangers: snakes, wolves, and robbers. The weather could be very hot or very cold. Many died along the trail. Some people made it all the way to the
coast of California. A lucky few found gold who moved west from the eastern United States probably had a strong spirit of in the rivers and mountains there. People
adventure.


  1. What is the main idea of this story? a. More people should move to the western United States.
    b. People in the United States wanting something different moved west. c. City life is better than life on a farm.

  2. Why did people start moving out of cities in the eastern United States?

  3. How did many people travel to the west?

  4. What dangers did trail life bring?

  5. What did a few people find in California?

  6. What were the people who moved west like?


Read the story. Then, answer the questions.

They wanted to raise their families on land that
was clean and open.
in covered wagons
snakes, wolves, and robbers
gold in the rivers and mountains
They probably had a strong spirit of adventure.

88 CD-104304 • © Carson-Dellosa


Name Reading about Social Studies


For over 200 years, people from other countries have wanted to come to North Coming to North America
America. Many travelers from England and France settled in the northeastern part of North America before the United States was formed. Often, they lived in areas
that reminded them of home. Many people from northern Europe ended up in what is now the northern part of the United States and Canada. Others from warmer
countries settled farther south. Some people came because they wanted to go to a different type of church than the one their country’s government wanted them to.
Others came because they had little food or work back home. Travelers to North America were able to start new lives.



  1. What is the main idea of this story? a. Many settlers traveled south.
    b. People from Europe came to North America. c. Europe has people from many different countries.

  2. How long have people from other countries been coming to North America?

  3. Who settled in the northeastern part of North America before the United States was formed?

  4. Why did people come to the United States?

  5. What do you think the trip from Europe to North America was like?


Read the story. Then, answer the questions.


over 200 years

people from England and France

because they wanted to go to a different church
or had little food or work
Answers will vary.
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