RULES TO FOLLOW

The Grade Six pupils decided to make

their room clean, orderly and beautiful. Here
are some of the rules everyone needs to
follow:
Wipe your shoes on the doormat before
entering the room.
Put the wastepaper, fruit peelings and
candy wrappers in the waste basket.
Keep the walls, desks and tables free from
pencil and chalk marks and scratches.
Put the cleaning materials in a box.
Arrange the furniture properly.
Put away your pencils, books, notebooks
after using them.
Hang umbrellas and raincoats in one
corner of a room.
Keep books clean and well-covered.
1. What did the pupils decide to do?
A. make their room clean, orderly and beautiful
B. make their home s clean, orderly and beautiful.
C. make their school surroundings clean, orderly and beautiful
2. What did they agree upon?
A. to form a society
B. to follow the rules
C. to work on the school ground
3. What will they do with their shoes?
A. wipe on the doormat
B. leave on the doormat
C. put under the doormat
4. From what will they keep the furniture free?
A. books B. cover C. scratches
5. Where should the cleaning materials be kept?
A. box B. drawer C. bookcase
6. How should the furniture be arranged?
A. properly B. artistically C. carelessly
7. Where should one keep his pencils, books and notebooks after using?
A. in his bag B. on the desk C. on the teacher’s table
8. Where should wastepaper be thrown?
A. in the desk B in the drawer C. in the waste basket
9. Where should one hang raincoats and umbrellas?
A. on the desk
B. in the cabinet C. on one corner of the room
10. What should be kept clean and well-covered.
A. desks B. books C. tables

VOCABULARY:
decided scratches
 DAPHNE
Daphne was a beautiful nymph. The son
God, Apollo, fell in love with her but she
rejected him. Once, Apollo saw her and
pursued her. Daphne sought shelter behind
a big tree. She was out of breath from
running. Now, as she leaned on the tree,
she looked back with frightened eyes. Was
Apollo still running after her? She threw
herself upon her knees and prayed to be
saved from her pursuer. She rose with
outstretched arms. Then her fingers
fluttered gently, as if blown by a gentle
breeze. Little by little she was changed
from a beautiful nymph to a laurel tree.
Slowly she broke into a smile. Now, she
was safe. Apollo could not carry her away
anymore.
1. Daphne sought shelter behind ____.
a. a big tree b. a laurel tree c. a large house
2. As she leaned on the tree, she looked back with __.
a. round eyes b. smiling eyes c. frightened eyes
3. She was out of breath from __.
a. talking b. running c. laughing
4. She prayed to be saved from her __.
a. father b. pursuer c. husband
5. Slowly she stretched out her __.
a. feet b. arms c. hands
6. She threw herself upon her __.
a. bed b. knees c. pillow
7. She was changed from a beautiful nymph into __.
a. an oak tree b. a narra tree c. a laurel tree
8. Her fingers fluttered __.
a. slowly b. gently c. rapidly
9. She felt safe, after she became a __.
a. tree b. nymph c. goddess
10. She could not be carried away anymore by__.
a. Theus b. Midas c. Apollo

Vocabulary:

Nymph leaned pursued fluttered

HOW THE ROMANS COOKED THEIR FOOD

Long ago the Romans used to cook their

food just as the way hunters today
sometimes do. They dug out an oven in
the ground, lined it with stones and made
a fire in it. When the improvised oven was
well heated, they raked out the ashes, put
in the food and covered it. We learned it
from excavations in the city of Pompeii.
Pompeii was destroyed and buried during
the eruption of a volcano hundreds of
years ago. When the city was excavated,
ovens with wood and ashes were found
around the ruins. It is believed that just
as the cooks were about to bake, the fiery
volcano rained out ashes and boiling lava
and burned down the city.
1. In ancient times, how did the Romans cook their food?
a. just as the cooks do today
b. just as the people do today
c. just as some hunters do today
2. What did they use to line the ground where they built the ovens?
a. lime b. clay c. stones
3. What did they do with the oven before putting in their food?
a. They cooked it. b. They poured water in it. c. They heated it
4. Where did they dig their ovens?
a. in the ground b. in the tree trunks c. in the cement
5. What did they rake out of the oven before putting in their food?
a. sand b. ashes c. wood
6. Who cooked their food in underground oven?
a. the Jews b. the Italians c. the Romans
7. Who had ovens with wood ashes in them?
a. the British b. the Romans c. the people of Pompei
8. What destroyed Pompei?
a. a great fire b. a terrible flood c . a volcanic eruption
9. What were the cooks about to do when the volcano erupted?
a. eat b. bake c. wash dishes
10. What was done with the buried city?
a. rebuilt b. forgotten c. excavated

Vocabulary:
raked fiery eruption excavation
 FIRST NIGHT IN THE CITY

It was Lynn‟s first night in the

city. she woke up with a stun and
then she remembered where she
was. She had never spent the night
in a city before. She lay still and
listened. Cars and jeepers seemed
to race like ants heading straight
towards her. A new house was
being built next to her aunt‟s
house and the cement mixer was
roaring angrily. Downstairs, in the
kitchen, she heard the cluttering of
pans. Then, she heard the chime of
the big clock. She turned over and
asleep again.
1. What did Lynn remember when she woke up?
a. She was in the city b. She was in her country.
c. She was in her house.
2. Has Lynn ever spent a night before in the city?
a. No b. Yes c. Maybe
3. Where did Lynn imagine the cars and jeeps going?
a. heading to the city b. heading towards the house
c. heading toward her
4.Where did the roaring sound come from?
a. a bulldozer b. a street sweeper c. a cement mixer
5. How did she know the time?
a. from the radio b. from the position of the sun
c. from the big clock
6. Why did Lynn wake up with a stun?
a. She was afraid. b. She had a dream.
c. She felt she was in a strange place.
7. What did she do when she wake up?
a. She ran out to play. b. She washed her face.
c. She lay still and listened.
8. What did Lynn hear passing in front of the house?
a. buses and trains b. streetcars and carts c. cars and jeepneys
9. Where did she hear the clattering of the pans?
a. from the streets b. from the living room c. from the kitchen
10. Did Lynn fall asleep again?
a. Yes b. No c. Maybe

Vocabulary:
clattering roaring stun
 THE FACE IN THE POOL
Narcissus was out of breath from
running when he came to a clear pool. He
stopped to drink. Just as he was about to
sip the cool water, he saw a face in the
pool. It was handsome and he was
attracted to it.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“Who are you?” echoed someone.
“Why are you mocking me?” asked
Narcissus.
“Mocking me,” said the voice.
Narcissus was puzzled. He wanted to talk
with the face in the pool but it would not
answer. He tried to catch it but no to
avail. At last, he lost hope and plunged
into the pool hoping to see the owner of
the face.
1. Why was Narcissus out of breath?
a. He was running. b. He was skipbping. B. He was jumping.
2. Which of these sentences is true?
a. Narcissus came to a clear lake. b. Narcissus came to clear pool.
C. Narcissus came to clear path.
3. He stopped to __.
a. drink b. swim c. bathe
4. He saw something which __.
a. attracted him b. frightened her c. drove him away
5. What did he see in the pool?
a. a boat b. a face c. a flower
6. Which is correct?
a. He talked with the face in the pool.
b. He shouted at the face in the pool.
c. He played with the face in the pool.
7. Narcissus heard ___.
a. his own echo b. the singing bird
c. a reply from the man in the pool
8. Narcissus was not able to __.
a. drink b. swim c. talk with the man in the pool
9. He became __.
a. sad b. angry c. hopeless
10. What did he do at last?
a. plunged into the pool b. ran away from the pool
c. ran into the dark woods

Vocabulary:
puzzled echo plunged
 CAMPING

Rene was tired from the day‟s

tramp. He rolled himself in his scout
blanket and laid still. It was very
quiet in the woods. Then he heard
some queer noises. There was a
flapping of wings. A night owl was
on its way to hunt. Tiny raindrops
started to fall on the leaves. The
shower was over though, in a
moment. The cicadas and other
insects started their night songs
which ended into a forest symphony.
“Those queer night sounds in the
forest is a good lullaby,” Rene
thought as he drowsed off to a sound
sleep.
 1. Rene went on __.
a. a field trip b. an excursion c. a Boy Scout camping
2. It was very quiet in the __.
a. cityp b. house c. woods
3. He rolled himself in his __.
a. mat b. raincoat c. scout blanket
4. He began to hear __.
a. soft music b. hooting cars c. queer noise
5. He heard a soft flapping of __.
a. skirts b. wings c. leaves
6. An owl was on its way to __.
a. hunt b. roost c. lay eggs
7. Tiny raindrops fell on the __.
a. roof b. leaves c. treetops
8. The shower lasted for a __.
a. few hours b. long time c. short time
9. Rene heard the singing of the __.
a. owls b. cicades c. campers
10. To Renee, the sound of the insects was a __.
a. lullaby b. serenade c. symphony

VOCABULARY:

tramp lullaby queer

shower drowsed
 A WISE BUYER

“I have good news today, Mother,”

said Norma as she put down the big
basket she was carrying.
“What‟s your news, Norma?” asked
Mother.
“Look at my basket,” said Norma
excitedly. “I bought many things
today: meat, sugar, fish, vegetables
and fruits. She, I still have a change
left.”
“But why?” Asked Mother puzzled.
1. Where did Norma come from?
a. playing b. the school c. the market
2. What was she carrying?
a. a big bag b. a big basket c. a school bag
3. What was Norma’s news?
a. bad b. good c. fair
4. How did Norma feel after coming from the market?
a. tired b. angry c. excited
5. What did she show to her mother?
a. things in her study table c. things she bought in the market
b. b. things in her school bag
6. Why was Norma happy?
a. She bought a pretty dress.
b. She bought things she would use in school.
c. She was able to buy many things and still had some change.
7. Which of these did Norma buy?
a. dress b. meat c. ribbon
8. How did Mother feel after listening to Norma?
a. sad b. happy c. puzzled
9. Why was Norma’s news good?
a. She was able to save an amount from marketing.
b. She found a wallet with money in the market.
c. She did not pay from the goods she got from the market.
10.Why do you think was mother puzzled?
a. She could not believe what Norma said.
b. She knew that prices of goods were high.
c. Norma had told the truth for the first time.

VOCABULARY:
puzzled news
 HOW TO PREPARE TOMATO CATCHUP
Select some ripe tomatoes. Wash
them thoroughly. Cut them crosswise
into halves. Then separate the pulp
from the seeds. cook the pulp in an
enameled kettle, stirring it
occasionally until the thin peelings
separate and rolled up. Remove the
pulp from the fire. Pass the pulp
through a wire strainer and get the
juice. Mix the juice with the pulp. Add
some vinegar. Put onion juice,
powdered cinnamon, pepper, cloves of
garlic and spices in a small cloth bag
and dip it into the mixture. Cook the
mixture until it is thick. Take out the
bag of spices. Bottle the cooked pulp
and seal.
 1. How is the pulp separated from the seeds?
a. by squeezing the tomato
b. by cutting crosswise into halves
c. by cutting the tomato into small pieces
2. When is the pulp removed from the fire?
a. when the pulp has hardened
b. when the pulp is mixed with the peelings
c. when the peelings have been separated and have rolled up
3. What was the first step in preparing catsup?
a. Boil the mixture. c. Remove the mixture from the fire.
b. Wash the tomatoes thoroughly.
4. What kind of tomatoes are used?
a. ripe b. green c. cooked
5. What is used in cooking the pulp?
a. a pot b. a pan c. an enameled kettle
6. What kind of strainer is used?
a. wire strainer b. rattan strainer c. plastic strainer
7. What is wrapped in a cloth bag?
a. juice b. spices c. pulp
8. When is the mixture removed from the fire?
a. when it is thick b. when it is watery c. when it is smooth
9. What is added to the juice and pulp?
a. flour and other c. vinegar, onion juice and others
b. waters and others
10.What is the last step in preparing the catsup?
a. boil until thick c. add the vinegar to the mixture
b. bottle and seal

VOCABULARY:
enameled spices pulp seal
 BOOKS
Those who cannot read are pitiful
because they cannot enjoy books. Books
tell us about the wonderful things in
the world. They tell us the interesting
things people do. Books can answer the
“whys” and “hows” of things that
puzzle us. They can take us faraway
places through imagination. They can
show us, too, the things happened a
long time ago as well as those
happening at present. Books tell us
about the children in other lands. They
hold the key to the greatest treasures in
the world. A wise man once said that
he would rather be a poor boy in a
cellar surrounded with books than a
prince who had no chance to read.
 1. Those who do not know how to read are the _.
a. most pitiful people c. most wonderful people
b. most happy people
2. What do books do for us?
a. make us rich
b. make us unhappy c. tell us about the things in the world
3. Where can books can take us?
a. nowhere b. just in our room c. to faraway places
4. What questions can books answer?
a. little things not worth knowing
b. the “whys” and “hows” of things
c. things that cannot be remembered
5. What do books hold for their readers?
a. falling leaves c. key to the greatest treasure in the world
b. running water
6. What books tell us?
a. nothing of importance c. things that happened long ago
b. words without meaning
7. Do books tell us about the children in other places?
a. Yes b. No c. Perhaps
8. Who says he would rather be in a cellar with books than in places without
a single book?
a. a prince b. a wise man c. a poor man
9. What do books unfold before us?
a. hidden health b. hidden wealth c. hidden knowledge
10.What is preferable than a prince in a palace without the love for reading?
a. a rich boy in a big house c. a boy in a beautiful house
b. a poor boy in a cellar who loves books

VOCABULARY: pitiful puzzle interesting

 THE DIVER
A skillful diver can see clearly
what lies underneath a vast body of
water. He sees swaying seaweeds,
acres of sea plants that have large,
bright colored leaves. He finds
countless giant crabs and lobsters.
A diver also encounters sea snakes,
sea horses, fierce sharks and other
wild fishes. He takes delight in
watching the different species of
fish, splendid in their brilliant
colors. To a diver, the life
underworld is full of thrilling
adventures.
 1. What can the divers see through the clear water?
a. ships b. seashores c. seaweeds
2. Are there plants in the sea?
a. Yes b. No c. Maybe
3. What kind of a diver can stay in the water for a long time?
a. amateurs b. untrained c. experienced
4. Do the divers find only wild fishes under the sea?
a. Yes b. No c. Maybe
5. What does a diver find in the sea?
a. wealth b. adventure c. sunken ships
6. What makes a seaweeds sway?
a. air b. fishes c. water current
7. How does a diver feel while watching the different species of fich
underwater?
a. afraid b. excited c. delighted
8. How wide is the place underwater where sea plants grow?
a. acres b. few feet c. few meters
9. What may possibly happen to a diver who is not skilfull?
a. He may drown
b. He may just float c. He may be eaten by fishes.
10. Do you think deepsea diving is safe?
a. Yes b. No c. Maybe

VOCABULARY:
swaying acres shark
 THE BLIND GIRL
A group of students were chatting and
laughing excitedly near the sidewalk. They
seemed to be talking at the same time
when suddenly they became silent. They
stared spellbound to a blind girl groping
along the wall, and feel her way about.
Though her eyes were open, they could
tell that she could not see. In her right
hand was a bunch of flowers which she
smelled now and then. She continued
walking till the end of the street. When
she was out of sight the students gave a
sigh of relief. Were they not lucky to have
two eyes?
 1. What were the students doing?
a. playing and jumping c. chatting and laughing
b. singing and dancing
2. Which of these statements is true?
a. The students stopped talking as they stared at a blind girl.
b. The students stopped talking as they stared at a lame girl.
c. The students stopped talking as they stared at an old beggar.
3. How the girls move along the wall?
a. She ran along. c. She groped along her way.
b. She walk briskly.
4. What did the students notice about the girl’s eyes?
a. They were open. c. They were half opened.
b. They were closed.
5. What were the students sure about the girl?
a. She could see. c. She could see a little.
b. She could not see.
6. What was on the girl’s hand?
a. a cane b. a bunch of keys c. a bunch of flowers
7. Where was the girl going?
a. to a nearby store c. to the house at the street corner
b. to the end of the street
8. What did the students do when they saw the girl?
a. stared b. looked c. smiled
9. How did the students feel when the blind girl was out of sight?
a. sorry b. afraid c. relieved
10. What were the students thankful for?
a. for their feet b. for their legs c. for their good eyes
VOCABULARY:
excited stared spellbound groping
 FEEDING TIME AT THE ZOO
It was time for the zookeeper to
feed the animals. Judging from the
noise, the beasts were hungry. The
lions open their mouths and gave the
people in the zoo a frightful sample
of the howl of the king of beasts. The
little monkey squeaked as they
tumbled over each other to reach the
cage bars. The monkeys shook the
iron bars till they rattled, and parrots
jumped up and down shrieking
excitedly.
 1. What time was it in the zoo?
a. playing time b. feeding time c. sleeping time
2. How did the animals show that they were hungry?
a. They played. b. They quarreled. c. They made noise
3. Who howled?
a. the lions b. the gorillas c. the monkeys
4. What did the lions do?
a. roared b. beat the bars c. opened the mouths
5. What was the zoo keeper going to do?
a. beat the animals b. feed the animals c. bathe the animals
6. How did the little monkeys manage to reach the cage bars?
a. by jumping over each other c. by climbing over each other
b. by tumbling over each other
7. What did the little monkeys do?
a. snitched b. squeaked c. screeched
8. What did the monkeys do with the iron bar?
a. broke b. rattled c. loosened
9. Who jumped up and down?
a. dancers b. parrots c. birds
10. How did the parrots welcome the zookeeper?
a. They shouted. b. They shrieked. c. They squeaked.

VOCABULARY:
sample shrieking squeaked
 AN AIRPLANE RIDE
The strangest thing about my airplane
ride was that I seemed not to be moving
at all since the plane assumed a certain
attitude. As I looked down, the earth
below seemed like a wonderful map in
lovely colors. Everything was a
miniature. The houses, the trees, the
buildings appeared like playthings. The
vast rice fields were restful to the eyes to
look at. The ocean was but a shallow
stream of clear, blue water.
Indeed, anybody‟s first plane ride is a
pleasant experience.
 1. On what kind of transportation was the author riding?
a. a car b. a ship c. an airplane
2. How did the earth below appear to the narrator?
a. a vast rice field b. a wonderful map c. an undeveloped place
3. How did the objects appear to the author?
a. shadows b. reflections c. miniatures
4. What made the rice fields restful to the eyes?
a. their size b. their color c. the location
5. How did the author consider his first airplane ride?
a. a horrible experience c. a nauseating experience
b. a pleasant experience
6. What did the author say the ocean looked like?
a. long river b. shallow stream c. swimming pool
7. What was the strangest thing about the author’s first airplane ride?
a. The plane flew so fast. c. The plane could not go above the clouds.
b. The plane seemed not to be moving.
8. How many times has the author ridden on an airplane?
a. twice b. once c. many
9. Which appeared like playthings to the author?
a. buildings, trees, houses c. houses, buildings, people
b. houses, people, animals
10. How did he describe the rice fields?
a. restful to the eyes b. like a dense forest c. like a shallow stream

VOCABULARY:
assumed attitude miniature
 PLANT PESTS
In addition to different kinds of plants
diseases, there are great numbers of plant
pests that can destroy or stop the growth
of plants. Insects carry fungi and
bacterial diseases from plant to plant. The
potato beetle carries the potato rot. Some
insects even eat plants. Certain
grasshoppers and biting insects strip a
plant of its leaves, thus killing the plant.
The most destructive kinds of insects are
the scale insects, mealy bugs, plant lice
and leaf hoppers. They consume the sap of
plant tissues thus causing the withering of
the plant itself.
 1. What can destroy or stop the growth of plants?
a. plant food b. plant pests c. plant fertilizers
2. What else besides pests injure plants?
a. fertilizers b. insecticides c. different kinds of plant diseases
3. Which carry diseases from one plant to another?
a. flowers b. insects c. people
4. What causes potato rot?
a. potato fungi b. potato beetle c. bacteria
5. What happen to plants where insects live and feed on?
a. They grow fast b. The plants are injured
b. c. The plants grow healthy
6. What another name for the grasshopper?
a. flying insect b. the biting insect c. sucking insect
7. How do the grasshoppers harm the plants?
a. They cut the plants.
b. They strip the plants of its leaves.
c. They suck the juice from the plants.
8. What happen to the plants when harmed by theses insects?
a. plants grow rapidly c. plants stop growing and die afterwards
b. plants become healthy
9. Which of the following insects are the most destructive?
a. ants b. mites c. scale insects
10. Are all insects harmful?
a. Yes b. No c. Maybe

Vocabulary:
pests rot withering destructive strip
 THE ATOMIC ENERGY
With the establishment of a Nuclear
Center, we will engage in the
production of radio isotopes for use in
agriculture, industry and medicine.
This is a landmark in our scientific
progress as it opens up for our youth
the field of nuclear science and
ultimately harness the mightiest
industrial power known to man. It will
greatly help fight poverty. With the use
of the atomic energy, we will have the
power to run more industries.
 1. What was established in our country?
a. a nuclear center b. a telephone center c. a telegraphic center
2. What can we engage in with the establishment of this center
a. production of radio c. production of short waves
b. production of radio isotopes
3. Of what use will this be?
a. in business and exporting c. in sports and competitions
b. in agriculture and competitions
4. What will the establishment of the Nuclear Center mean to us?
a. industrial progress b. scientific progress c. agricultural progress
5. For whom is the vast field of nuclear science open?
a. for the youth c. for the coming generation
b. for the old people
6. What will the nuclear science harness?
a. mightiest power c. mightiest submarine power
b. mightiest industrial power
7. What can atomic energy offer?
a. work in the land b. illness in our land c. poverty in our land
8. Of what use is atomic energy?
a. in planting rice c. in running industries
b. in teaching children
9. In what branch of science is the mightiest industrial power known to
man?
a. nuclear science b. historical science c. elementary science
10. With what area is Nuclear Center concerned?
a. science b. agriculture c. entertainment

VOCABULARY:
landmark radio isotope progress nuclear
 THE DUTCH
The Dutch are the people from Holland.
They are considered serious and
hardworking. They are the cleanest people
in the world. The Dutch are fond of eating,
drinking and attending parties. Have you
seen a picture of a Dutch girl? She wears
big wooden shoes called klompers. Men
wear baggy trousers while women wear
flowing skirts, white apron and starched
cloth caps. Dutch children are healthy for
they drink plenty of milk and take big
amounts of butter. Boys are trained to steer
the boat and take charge of the windmill.
Water sports are popular with the Dutch
children.
1. The Dutch are considered __.
a. the cleanest people in the world
b. the most religious people in the world
c. the most industrious people in the world
2. A Dutch girl usually wears__.
a. big huts b. big shirts c. big wooden shoes
3. What is the native footwear of the Dutch called?
a. skirts b. windmills c. klompers
4. What do men wear?
a. long trousers b. short trousers c. baggy trousers
5. Who wear the following skirts, white apron and starched caps?
a. the nurses b. the women c. the children
6. The Cutch are ____.
a. lazy b. not serious c. hardworking
7. Children take plenty of __.
a. rice and fish b. milk and butter c. wheat and pork
8. Boys are trained to __.
a. run races b. steer boats c. become soldiers
9. What is Holland known for?
a. boats b. sports d. windmills
10. What is the country of the Dutch
a. Holland b. England d. Switzerland

VOCABULARY:

baggy trained popular steer

 PLANT FOR LIFE
Nestor looked happily at his rows of vegetable
plants with their green, fresh and healthy leaves.
There were rows of lettuce, tomatoes, eggplants
and pechay. On one side of the yard were
trellises of patola, squash and amorgoso. Nestor
remembered that their backyard was once a
dumping place of garbage, empty cans and
trash. Then the government launched the “Plant
for Life” project. With the help of his father,
they cleaned the backyard and dug the stumps
and roots of old trees. They cultivated the soil,
got vegetable seeds from the Bureau of Plants
and planted them in their backyard. Now all are
ready for harvest. The vegetables are more than
what they need so Nestor will take some to the
market. That will be extra money for the family.
 1. Where did Nestor plant the vegetable seeds?
a. in the garden b. in their backyard c. in front of the house
2. What made Nestor happy?
a. his row of toys c. his row of flowering plants
b. b. his row of vegetables
3. Where were the climbing vegetables planted?
a. in front of the backyard c. in the middle of the yard
b. in one side of the yard
4. What was Nestor’s backyard before?
a. a storeroom b. a playground c. a dumping place
5. What project did the government launch?
a. Save a Life b. Plant for Life c. Help the Typhoon Victims
6. Who helped Nestor clean the backyard?
a. his sister b. his father c. his mother
7. How did Nestor feel about his vegetable plants?
a. He did not like it. c.He was sorry about it.
b. He was happy about it.
8. Where did Nestor get his vegetable seeds?
a. from the Bureau of Plants c. from the Bureau of Industries
b. from the Bureau of Fisheries
9. Where would Nestor bring the vegetables they do not need?
a. to his friends b. to the market c. to his relatives
10. What activity would increase food production?
a. planting flowering plants c. planting flowering trees
b. planting vegetables in the backyard

VOCABULARY:
trellises dumping launched
 THE RAT
The rat belongs to the mouse family
although it is larger than a mouse. It has
also more scales on its tail than a mouse.
There are rats of different sizes and colors.
The brown Norway rat is the most destructive
and powerful. Black rat can still be found
and in cities with warm climate.
Rats travel aboard ships and eat almost
anything. If they are hungry they attach
animals, even men. Rats breed rapidly,
producing 20 to 50 offsprings a year. A rat
can start breeding at six months old. Wild
rats are special problem to man because they
spread bubonic plague, rat fever and they
destroy crops.
 1. To what family does the rat belong?
a. cat b. dog c. mouse
2. Which is the largest among the following animals?
a. rat b. lizard c. house lizard
3. What part of the rat has more scales?
a. its tail b. its legs c. its body
4. Which is the most powerful among the following?
a. white rat b. black rat c. brown Norway rat
5. Where can black rats be found?
a. near the costs b. near the woods c. near the ground
6. What do rats eat?
a. roots c. grass c. almost anything
7. Why are there plenty of rats?
a. They eat anything.
b. They breed very rapidly.
c. They are found in homes.
8. What do rats destroy most?
a. tress b. crops c. houses
9. At what age does a rat start breeding?
a. a year old b. sic months old c. three months old
10. Why are rats a problem?
a. They play around.
b. They breed rapidly.
c. They carry diseases.

VOCABULARY:

breed bubonic offspring

 THE SCHOOL LUNCH COUNTER
A school canteen or lunch counter is
established in every school to improve
children‟s eating habits and preferences.
Native, nutritious dishes such as goto, pancit
and lumpia are prepared by a teacher with
the help of some children. Sandwiches are
sold for those who prefer a light merienda. A
good lunch counter as milk as a regular
item for sale. Teachers encourage their
pupils to include milk in their daily food
intake.
The canteen is part of a school. It
protects from sickness by discouraging them
to buy from food peddlers and unsanitary,
nearby stores.
Pupils are asked to patronize the canteen
for their own health. The low prices of food
serve as an encouragement for the children
to buy the from the school canteen.
 1. What does a school lunch counter serve?
a. lunch b. dinner c. merienda
2. When do the majority of children buy at the lunch counters?
a. after class b. before class c. during recess
3. Which of these statements is true?
a. Native foods are good for light merienda.
b. Recess lunch may take the place of lunch.
c. Hoto, pancit and lumpia are eaten at breakfast.
4. What food should a lunch counter always have?
a. rice b. milk c. cereals
5. Why is milk good for children?
a. It tastes good. b. It is nice to drink.
b. It supplies them with needed nutrients.
6. How do school lunch counters help children?
a. They sell native food. b.They sell delicious food
b. They sell nutritious food at low prices.
7. Why should children avoid buying food outside the school?
a. It is cleaner. b. It is cheaper. c. It is not safe to eat.
8. Where can children buy much safer and cheaper food?
a. from peddlers c. from school lunch counters
b. b. from nearby stores
9. What is the aim of school lunch counters?
a. to make business c. to improve the children’s health
b. to make children thrifty
10.How do the lunch counter operators encourage children to buy from them?
a. by offering bonus prizes c. by lowering the prices of food
b. by being open the whole day

VOCABULARY:
light patronize realize peddlers
 JOSE RIZAL‟S MOTHER
God‟s best gift to Jose Rizal was his mother, Dona
Teodora Alonzo. Teodora was brought up by her
mother in a home full of love and understanding. She
was educated at Santa Rosa College. Her excellent
education, her goodness of heart and her other
virtues prepared her to be the mother of our national
hero. To Jose Rizal, next to God, a mother means
every- thing to a man. Dona Teodora was a devout
Catholic. It was her teaching that made her son, Jose,
love the Christian way of life. He was still a baby
when his mother began teaching him the alphabet
and the simple prayers as was the custom of the
Filipino Family.
Dona Teodora was fond of telling a stories of her
little son, Jose. The word “story” meant something
new and wonderful to Jose. He would sit down to
listen, full of interest and wonder, when his mother
called him for the regular story time.
He loved the stories his mother told him. He
remembered the moral lesson each story conveyed and
made it a part of his education and training.
 1. How did Jose Rizal consider his mother?
a. his playmate b. God’s best gift c. a good story teller
2. Which word best described Doña Teodora?
a. gay b. lovely c. virtuous
3. Which of the following prepared her to be the mother of our national hero?
a. her book b. her goodness of heart c. her pleasant position
4. What did a mother mean to Rizal?
a. Everyone’s mother is his friend.
b. Next to God, a mother meant everything to a man.
c. A mother is one who should teach her children how to read and pray.
5. What was Doña Teodora’s religion?
a. Catholic b. Protestant c. Presbyterian
6. What made Jose love Christian way of life?
a. his father’s teachings c. his teacher’s teaching
b. his mother’s teaching
7. What did his mother teach him as was the custom of the Filipino family?
a. reading simple stories c. the alphabet and simple prayers
b. telling children’s stories
8. Did Jose believe his mother’s stories?
a. Yes b. No c. Maybe
9. What did the word “story” mean to Jose?
a. something nice c. something new and wonderful
b. something good
10.How did Jose listen to his mother’s story?
a. carelessly b. attentively c. half-hearted

VOCABULARY:

devout custom wonder

 TRAVEL MADE EASY
“How was your trip, Wally?” asked Grandma Wally
kissed her hands.
“It was fine, Grandma,” answered Wally, yawning
while stretching his arms, and shaking his legs. “I
slept almost throughout the way”.
“Why you lazy boy!” exclaimed Grandma. “Then
you didn‟t see the beautiful scenery on the
countryside”.
“It was so nice riding on the bus,” explained
Wally. “The roads now are very smooth, unlike the
first time Father and I visited you after the flood. A
week had passed after that visit, yet my body was still
aching all over. We were like mashed fruits after our
ride over those pot marked roads.
“It did not take long for the government to have
all the damaged roads repaired,” agreed Grandma.
“Thanks to our government, things are back to
normal again.”
 1. Where did Wally’s Grandma live?
a. in the city b. in the province c. in a city shrub
2. Why did Wally fail to see the beautiful scenery?
a. He slept almost throughout the way.
b. He was wearing dark glasses.
c. He was not interested to the look at the scenery.
3. Where did Wally ride?
a. on a bus b. on a train c. in a jeepney
4. Who was with Wally when he visited Grandma?
a. his father b. his mother c. nobody
5. How did Wally try to freshen himself?
a. He jumped. c. He ran and ran.
b. He stretched out his arms and legs.
6. According to Grandma, what did Wally miss by sleeping all the way?
a. Grandma’s house c. the beautiful scenery on the countryside
b. the place where they were going
7. Why did Wally not enjoy his first visit to Grandma?
a. The journey was long. c. The roads were smooth and nice.
b. The roads were potmarked.
8. What did Grandma call Wally for sleeping all the way?
a. lazy b. cheerful c. curious
9. Why were the roads easy to travel now?
a. They were cleaned by the government.
b. They were damaged by the government.
c. They had been repaired by the government.
10.How was life after the flood?
a. It returned to normal. c. It was much better than before.
b. It was never the same again.
VOCABULARY:
yawn potmarked damage
 HOME FOR THE AGED
“It will not be long from now and Tandang Sela will
not go begging anymore, Mel told his sister Shiela.
“Why did you say that?” asked Shiela.
“Didn‟t you know?” Mel asked. “The government has
decided to help the beggars, young and old.”
“But how?” asked Shiela, still puzzled.
“There are hundreds of beggars around.
“How can the government help them all?”
“It is like this,” explained Mel. “The young ones will
be placed in the care of their relatives if they have any.
The others will be sent to the provinces where they came
from. The children who do not have anybody to look
after they will be placed in orphanages. The old ones
who have will be housed in the Home for the Aged. They
will be taken care of by the government.
“How nice,” Sheila said. “It is really a pity to see
these beggars, especially the old ones.”
 1. What does Tandang Sela do?
a. She sells. b. She begs. c. She washes clothes.
2. What news does Mel have for Sheila?
a. Tandang Sela will move to another place.
b. Tandang Sela will not have to beg anymore.
c. Tandang Sela will not have to wash clothes anymore.
3. Whom will the government help?
a. the children b. the beggars c. the poor people
4. Where will the young ones be sent?
a. to their relatives c. to the orphanage
b. to the social worker
5. Where will the unattended young ones be sent?
a. to rich families c. to orphanages
b. to the provinces where they came from
6. Who will be housed in the Home for the Aged?
a. the young ones b. the very old ones c. the ones with relatives
7. Who will provide the needs of the old folk?
a. their relatives b. the rich people c. the government
8. Which of these statements is true?
a. The government will help the beggars.
b. The government will imprison all beggars
c. The government will drive the beggars away.
9. How did Sheila feel about the government’s decision?
a. glad b. envious c. curious
10.How does one feel when he sees beggars especially?
a. sad b. joy c. happy
VOCABULARY:
decide orphanage puzzled aged
 BEAUTY
Beauty is seen
In the sunlight
The trees, the birds
Corn growing, people working
Or praying for a good harvest.

Beauty is heard all around

Wind sighing,
Rain falling or a singing humming
An old folk song.

Beauty is in yourself
Good deeds, happy thoughts reflected
In your dreams
In your work,
During peaceful rest.
 1. Does beauty depend upon the observer
a. Yes b. No c. Maybe
2. Is there beauty anywhere?
a. Yes b. No c. Maybe
3. Where lies the beauty in people?
a. in themselves b. in their wealth c. in their appearance
4. Is there beauty in the falling rain?
a. Yes b. No c. Maybe
5. When is a person peaceful?
a. when he is rich
b. when he has performed good deeds
c. when he is intelligent
6. According to the poem, where can we find beauty?
a. in flowers b. in yourself c. in the house
7. Can we hear beauty?
a. Yes b. No c. Maybe
8. Who are praying for the good harvest?
a. rice growers b. corn growers c. coconut growers
9. Where are good deeds and happy thoughts reflected?
a. at home b. in your dreams c. in other people
10.When do the happy thoughts occur?
a. when praying
b. during peaceful rest
c. when you are with other people

VOCABULARY:

sighing reflected humming folk song

 THE ANIMAL‟S WISH
We beg no fancy garb
To keep us cozily warm
Nor softer bed to rest
Though it should be less hard.

We wish not our liberty

For to serve is our fate
We live as servants forever
To work early and late

To talk is a silly dream

For us doomed mute to remain
But we hear, see and feel
Please to us be a bit kinder.

Be kind a little bit more

And be unkind ten times less
We are poor dump creatures
And we have but few needs.
 1. What o the animals ask in general?
a. that we make them sleep c. that we ask them to dine with us
b. that we be more kind to them
2. How long do animals serve us?
a. a few years b. for some time c. as long as they live
3. What do animals consider a silly dream?
a. to be able to talk b. to be able to hear c. to be able to serve
4. What do the beg of us?
a. shelter for them b. kindness to them c. clothing for them
5. Which of these statements is true?
a. Giving food to dumb creatures is enough.
b. We need to be more kind to dumb creatures.
c. We must not consider dumb creatures as our friends.
6. Are they asking their master to let them free?
a. Yes b. No c. Does not say
7. When do the animals work as their master’s servant?
a. early and late b. non-stop c. only at night
8. How much needs do animals have?
a. Many b. None c. Few
9. What are the animals doomed to remain?
a. mute b. sensitive c. untrainable
10.What three things can the animals do?
a. feel, hear, see b. see, hear, speak c. hear, speak, feel

VOCABULARY:

fancy doomed cozily mute

 LUNETA AND MANILA BAY
Do you know that Manila Bay is the finest
harbor in the Philippines? It is also famous
for its beautiful sunset. Tourists observe that
Manila Bay has one of the most glowing
sunsets in the world. Roxas Boulevard,
formerly Dewey Boulevard, runs along the
shores of Manila Bay. There are many
beautiful buildings along the street, mostly
hotels and restaurants. Luneta, a big park
with fountains and ornamental plants, faces
the bay. People can be seen strolling daily
and enjoying the cool breeze from the bay.
On Sundays, people go to the Luneta to listen
to band concerts and to view performances at
the open theater.
 1. What is the Manila Bay noted for?
a. tall buildings b. its fine harbor c. ornamental flowers
2. What is it also famous for?
a. its many streets b. its beautiful sunset c. its many mountains
3. What do tourists say about sunset?
a. It is red. c. It is colorful.
b. It is the most glowing sunset in the world.
4. On what street is the Luneta located?
a. Shaw Boulevard b. Roxas Boulevard c. Quezon Boulevard
5. What do people enjoy most at the Luneta?
a. the plants b. the people c. the cool breeze
6. What is the Luneta today?
a. a harbor b. a big park c. a commercial district
7. What do people do at the Luneta?
a. stroll b. pray c. trade goods
8. Where is the Luneta Park located?
a. facing the Manila Bay
b. at the tip of the Manila Bay
c. in the commercial district of Manila Bay
9. How are people entertained at the Luneta Park?
a. open air movies
b. by clowns and circus
c. by band concerts and performances
10.Where are most performances held?
a. at the open theater
b. at the Chinese Garden
c. near Rizal’s Monument

VOCABULARY:
famous glowing concerts performances
 BEING ON TIME
Arturo was the president of the Grade Six class
organization. They agreed to celebrate Arbor Day
with a program and mass planting of fruit trees.
“At what time will the program start?” asked
Miss Diaz, their teacher.
“It will start at 7:00 o‟clock in the morning,
Miss Diaz.” answered Arturo.
“That‟s good,” observed Miss Diaz. “It will not
be too hot for planting of trees. I only hope it will
begin on schedule.”
“That‟s sure, Miss Diaz,” Arturo said. “It will be
a new Filipino time concept.”
“I admire you, Arturo, for saying „Filipino
time‟, which means on time,” Said Miss Diaz
laughing.
“It is really time for us to observed
punctuality,” explained Arturo. “So instead of
saying being on time is „American time‟, we shall
call it „Filipino time‟”
 11.What position did Arturo have in the class organization?
a. secretary b. treasurer c. president
12.What did the class organization decide to celebrate?
a. Arbor Fiesta b. Town Fiesta c. Parents Day
13.Aside from the program, what other activity was scheduled?
a. planting of shrubs c. planting of flowering trees
b. planting of fruit trees
14.At what time was the program supposed to start?
a. 8:00 o’clock in the morning
b. 7:00 o’clock in the morning
c. 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon
15.Who was in doubt whether it would start on time?
a. Arturo’s mother b. Arturo’s teacher c. Arturo’s classmates
16.What do we usually say when punctuality is observed in any activity?
a. Filipino time b. Spanish time c. American time
17.How did Arturo call punctuality?
a. Filipino time b. Spanish time c. American time
18.What did Arturo’s class agree on?
a. starting late
b. adopting American time
c. changing the concept of Filipino time
19.Did Arturo’s class agree with it?
a. Yes b. No c. Maybe
20. Who admired Arturo’s leadership?
a. the teacher b. the parents c. the principal

VOCABULARY:

concept admire punctuality

 THE TRUE FILIPINO
President Quezon‟s counsel to the Filipino
was: “Make the Filipinos true citizens of the
Philippines. They should be made aware of
things connected with their country and people
including their culture and civilizations.”
What did President Quezon want to convey to
his countrymen? In his opinion, we deserved to
be called a true Filipino if we have our
country‟s welfare at heart. Knowledge and
appreciation of our country‟s history,
civilization and culture are to be required from
each individual. Every citizen must be
concerned with the progress of the nation, in
making the country known to other parts of
the world and in achieving peace for the land
of his birth.
 1. What did President Quezon wish for the Philippines?
a. fame b. wealth c. loyal sons and daughters
2. Who deserves to be called a true Filipino?
a. somebody working in a foreign firm
b. somebody working in the government
c. somebody working for his country’s progress
3. What should every Filipino strive to achieve for his country?
a. progress b. culture c. machineries
4. In what should a Filipino feel proud of?
a. his country’ name
b. his country’s culture c. his country’s location
5. To whom was President Quezon’s counsel addressed?
a. to the soldiers c. to all citizens
b. to the government officials
6. Which of the following did Quezon want the Filipinos to be?
a. true citizens of the Philippines
b. good soldiers of the Philippines
c. good speakers of the Filipino language
7. In Quezon’s opinion, when do we deserve to be called a true Filipino?
a. when we can speak Filipino fluently
b. when we know our national anthem at heart
c. when we have our country’s welfare at heart
8. What did Quezon want every individual to know?
a. the country’s history, civilization and culture
b. the symbols of our country and their meanings
c. the different provinces that comprises our country
9. To whom did Quezon want our country be known?
a. to all Filipino citizens c. to other parts of the world
b. to all the people of Asia
10. One of the following was not mentioned among those which Quezon wanted every
individual to achieve?
a. power b. peace c. progress
VOCABULARY:
aware civilization culture convey
 OUR MALAYAN BROTHERS
In some ways we, Filipinos, are similar to our
Malayan brothers. This is so because our ancestors
include the Malays and the Indonesians. the Malays
and the Filipinos are similar in height, in complexion
and in looks. Philippines aborigines such as the
Ifugaos, Subanuns and Tagbanuas live in much the
same way as the Malaysians and Indonesians. The
clothes, the houses, weapons and art of the Filipino
Muslims are similar to those of the Malaysians and
Indonesians.
The Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia have the
same industries and products. The languages used in
the Philippines include many Malayan words. Like the
Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia were former
territories of western countries. Like the Filipinos, the
people of Malaysia and Indonesia struggled hard also
for independence. The former MAPHILINDO composed
of Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia was
organized for mutual protection against belligerent
countries.
 1. The selection tells us___.
a. how the Filipinos dress
b. how the Indonesians dress
c. how similar we are to our Malayan brothers
2. To whom are the Filipinos similar in some ways?
a. to their Malayan brothers c. to their American brothers
b. to their European brothers
3. Who of the following are among our ancestors?
a. Europeans b. American Indians c. Malays and Indonesians
4. Who live in the same way as the Malayans and Indonesians?
a. Arabs and Egyptians c. Igorots, Ifugaos, Subanuns, Tagbanuas
b. Indians, Polynesians, Hawwaiians
5. Who believe in the Islam faith like the Indonesians and Malayans?
a. lowlanders b. Filipino Muslims c. mountain people
6. What do the languages in the Philippines include?
a. many English words c. many Japanese words
b. many Malayan words
7. What things are similar in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia?
a. religion b. languages c. products and industries
8. Which of these countries were former territories of Western countries like the
Philippines?
a. Japan and China c. Malaysia and Indonesia
b. Taipei and Cambodia
9. People struggled hard to __.
a. get their independence
b. get their countries started
c. get their people to cooperate
10. What was the former MAPHILINDO?
a. organization composed of Singapore, Hongkong, and Taiwan
b. organization composed of Malaysia, Philippines, and Indonesia
c. organization composed of China, Japan and Cambodia
VOCABULARY:
territories belligerent ancestors
 TWO PAINTERS
When Jose Rizal and Juan Luna studying in
Madrid, they live together in boarding house.
They used to play jokes on one another.
Juan Luna woke up early one morning and
saw Rizal was still asleep. He hid one of Rizal‟s
slippers and drew exactly one like it on a card,
board. When Jose woke up, he tried to put on
his slippers but he found out that one was
made out of cardboard. “I know who painted
this. It is nicely done,” he said.
One day, Juan Luna went out with his
friends. Jose decided to draw the contents of
Juan‟s room on the closed door with the
permission of their landlady. When Luna
arrived, he went directly to his room. He
bumped his head on the closed door. “You are
a good painter,” Juan Luna told Rizal.
 1. Who studied in Madrid?
a. Andres Bonifacio b. Apolinario Mabini c. Juna Luna and Jose
Rizal
2. Where did they live in Madrid?
a. in a hotel b. in a Filipino home c. in a boarding house
3. What did they usually do when they entertain themselves?
a. play sipa b. play jokes c. play chess
4. What did Luna hide?
a. one of Jose’s pets b. one of Jose’s books c. one of Jose’s
slippers
5. Why did Jose think it was his real slippers?
a. It was large. c. It was realistically painted.
b. It was just right for him.
6. Where did Rizal paint the contents of the room?
a. on the wall c. on the window pane
b. on the closed door
7. Why did Luna enter the room directly?
a. It was his room.
b. He thought the door was open.
c. He thought the door had been removed
8. What did Luna think of Rizal’s painting?
a. It was not right. c. It was beautifully done.
b. It was just a view.
9. For what was Luna known?
a. being a good writer c. being a good painter
b. being a good soldier
10.How will you describe Luna and Rizal’s sense of humor?
a. dull b. keen c. neither a nor b
VOCABULARY:
boarding exactly
 THE FLOWER OF LOVE
Once there lived a chieftain who had a beautiful
daughter named Liwayway. One day Liwayway went
into the woods to gather fruits and flowers but
unfortunately lost her way. She became unconscious
when a wild beast ran after her. He was the son of
another chieftain. When they parted, each one knew
they were in love with each other.
One day the young man was going away to fight the
white men who had invaded their land. The lovers
promised never to forget each other saying “Sumpa
kita.” but the warrior never came back. In sorrow, the
maiden killed herself. Sometime later, shrubs with
fragrant flowers grew on her grave. People believed
that Liwayway‟s love grew and bloomed. It became a
custom for young lovers taken of their faithful love.
They whispered “I promise” (Sumpa kita) to each
other. In time, the flowers became known as
sampaguita. It is adopted as our national flower
because of its fragrance and simplicity.
 1. Who was Liwayway?
a. She was a mermaid. c. She was the daughter of a chieftain.
b. She was a goddess of dawn.
2. Why did she go to the woods?
a. to chase birds b. to take a bath c. together fruits and flowers
3. What happened when a wild beast ran after her?
a. She played with it. c. She became unconscious.
b. She climbed a tree.
4. What did she see when she regained consciousness?
a. a fairy bending over her c. a young man bending over her
b. a wild beast bending over her
5. Who was the young man the maiden saw?
a. a hunter b. a warrior c. son of another chieftain
6. Why did the young man leave?
a. to go with his father c. to live in another land
b. to fight the invaders
7. What did they promise each other?
a. to write each other c. never to forget each other
8. to love each other forever
Who killed herself?
a. the fairy b. Liwayway c. the maiden
9. What grew on her grave?
a. shrubs with fragrant flowers c. shrubs with yellow flowers
b. shrubs with thick leaves
10.What does the sampaguita symbolize?
a. loyalty b. bravery c. honesty

VOCABULARY:
consciousness bloomed invaded garlands
 FOOD AND DRINKS OF THE ANCIENT FILIPINOS

Rice was the staple food of the ancient Filipinos.

They cooked it in pots and in bamboos. Our
forefathers‟ diet included also various species of fish
caught in rivers and lakes; meat from carabaos, deer,
hogs, chickens and edible birds; vegetables, tubers like
sweet potato, spices like pepper and garlic; and fruits
like bananas, oranges, guavas and mangoes.
There were also many kinds of wine and drinks on
the islands. The tuba which was taken from the
coconut palms was the champagne of the early
Filipinos. Among the popular wines were the Visayan
pangasi, fermented from rice; the Visayan gauilang
distilled from sugar cane and the igorot tapuy, taken
from rice.
Although the early Filipinos were heavy drinkers,
they seldom lost their senses when drunk. They only
became lively, talkative and witty when intoxicated.
Even after a heavy drink, their hands never trembled
and they could manage to weigh their gold correct!
 1. The story tells about food and drinks of __.
a. the ancient Filipinos c. the mountain people
b. the modern Filipinos
2. Where did they cook rice?
a. in jars and pots b. in pots and bamboos c. in kettles and pots
3. What other things were used as food?
a. grasses and roots c. leaves and branches
b. various species of fish
4. Which was considered the champagne of the ancient Filipinos?
a. rice b. tuba c. coconut juice
5. What was the Visayan pangasi?
a. wine fermented from rice c. wine extracted from the coconut palms
b. wine extracted from sugar cane
6. What wine was distilled from sugar cane?
a. Ilocano basi b. Visayan gauilang c.Visayan tapuy
7. What was the Igorot tapuy?
a. wine taken from rice c. wine taken from coconut palm
b. wine taken from sugar cane
8. Although the Filipinos were heavy drinkers what did they seldom lose?
a. their drinks b. their clothes c. their senses
9. What happened to them when they got drunk?
a. They could not go home.
b. They become talkative and lively.
c. They trembled and became nervous.
10.What was the staple food of the ancient Filipinos?
a. rice b. wine c. roots

VOCABULARY:

species fermented distilled intoxicated

 SUPERSTITIONS
“Please tell us about some of our superstitious beliefs,
Grandmother,” pleaded Elvi as she saw the old woman
sitting by the window.”We will discuss them in the class
tomorrow.”
“Listen and I will tell you about man‟s three friends.
These are three superstitious beliefs about animals,”
Grandma answered, putting down the shorts she was
mending.
“Tell us about them,” said Elvi excitedly.
“One of them is the rooster who is up before dawn and
crows on the rooftops,” said Grandmother. “It is the
biddings its master to get up and go forth to earn his
living.
“The second one is the cat who announces the coming
of visitor by washing its face so it may look presentable
to its master‟s guests.”
“And the third is the dog that can smell danger and
death. It barks to warn its master of the presence of any
stranger who might do him harm. When a dog howls with
sorrow it is said that it smells death coming its master‟s
way.
 1. What is the selection about?
a. a legend b. a fairy tale c. three superstitions
2. Which word describes superstitions?
a. true b. good c. beliefs
3. About what are the superstitions in the selection?
a. food b. animals c. weather
4. Why does the rooster crow from the rooftops before dawn?
a. to tell its master to get up
b. to tell its master to feed it c. to make its master sleep soundly
5. Why does the rooster wake its master up before the dawn?
a. to be given corn c. to tell its master to earn a
living
b. to take it from the roof
6. How do cats announce the coming of visitors?
a. by turning around c. by washing their faces
b. by waving their tails
7. What do dogs smell?
a. food b. other animals c. danger and death
8. How do dogs warn their master of a coming danger?
a. by barking b. by howling c. by wagging their tails
9. When does a dog howl with sorrow?
a. when he smells food c. when he smells death for its
master
b. when he likes to sleep
10.Are superstitions to be believed?
a. Yes b. No c. Maybe

VOCABULARY:
howls pleaded mending
belief excited warn
 TELL THE TRUTH

Don‟t be afraid, Little Johnny, my boy,

Open the door and go in;
The longer you wait before telling your fault
The harder it is to begin.

No wonder you stand with a pitiful face

And fear the confession to make;
For you know when you‟re naughty the worst of it all
Is making your mother‟s heart ache.

Have courage, dear boy, never mind if your shoes

Are muddy and wet, and all that;
Never mind if your clothes have been terribly torn
And you have ruined your pretty new hat.

Go in like man, and tell Mother the truth

Like a brave little lad, and you‟ll see
How happy a boy who confesses his fault,
And is truthful and honest as can be.
 1. What was the author’s advice to Johnny?
a. not to play c. not to be afraid to confess the truth
b. not to enter the house
2. What happens if one waits longer?
a. it will be hard to begin c. it will be foolish to begin
b. it will be easy to begin
3. How does a boy appear if he has a confession to make?
a. He has a pitiful face. c. He has a happy face.
b. He has a brave face.
4. How does a mother feel when her little boy has been naughty?
a. She is sad. b. She is proud. c. She is very happy.
5. What will you do when you have something to confess?
a. Try to hide it. b. Try to forget it. c. Face the truth like a
man.
6. Will you be afraid to tell what you have done if you have ruined your
clothes?
a. Yes b. No c. Maybe
7. What does one need to tell the truth?
a. fear b. courage c. shyness
8. How does one feel if he confesses the truth?
a. happy b. afraid c. timid
9. Is it easy to tell the truth?
a. Yes b. No c. Maybe
10.What is the best trait one must possess to be able to confess?
a. fear b. pride c. courage

VOCABULARY:

fault lad pitiful ruined confess terribly

 THE LEGEND OF LAKE BUHI
Grandmother was relating the story of Lake Buhi to
her grandchildren. According to her, Buhi was a town
at bottom of the lake.
Once upon a time the people of this enchanted town
lived in abundance. But as the people became wealthy
they forgot all the about God and so God punished
them. Their town sank beneath the earth overnight and
in its place there rose a beautiful lake.
When the weather was warm and clear as a mirror,
it is said that one can look down into the bottom of
the lake. The people can be seen doing their everyday
tasks. Some are cultivating their lands, others are
building houses and smoke can be seen coming from
the kitchen as woman cook the family meals.
It is also said that the tiniest fish in the world,
found in Lake Buhi, are trimmings of abaca fiber as
the people in the Lake continue to make hats out of
abaca for which the town was once famous.
 1. What is the selection about?
a. a sea b. a lake c. a stream
2. What type of literature is the selection?
a. fable b. legend c. fairy tale
3. What was Buhi before?
a. lake b. town c. people
4. How does the surface of the lake look when the weather is calm and clear?
a. muddy b. gloomy c. clear as mirror
5. Why did God punish the people?
a. They were lazy. c. They were selfish.
b. They forgot God.
6. What appeared in place of their town?
a. a city b. a lake c. a forest
7. What kind of fish is found in Lake Buhi?
a. the tiniest fish in the world
b. the wildest fish in the world
c. the most beautiful fish in the world
8. What was believed to be seen down the lake when the weather is clear?
a. ruins of buildings and houses
b. people doing their everyday tasks
c. school of fishes converging on the lake floor
9. What do people say about the fish found in Lake Buhi?
a. They are pieces of thread.
b. They are trimmings fro abaca fiber.
c. They are roots of plants under the lake.
10.What do people believe about the lake?
a. It is big. b. it is beautiful c. It is enchanted

VOCABULARY:
enchanted tiniest overnight famous
 DAY OF FREEDOM

For more than three hundred years, Spain ruled our

land. The Spanish flag flew in our and to show that the
Philippines was Spain‟s territory. Then, the Americans
came. They freed us from Spanish rule. For fifty years
we were governed by the Americans. Our flag was
allowed to fly side by side with the American flag. We
were permitted to establish our own government but
under the control and supervision of the Americans.
In 1941, the Japanese invaded the Philippines. Under
the Japanese, we suffered three years of hunger, fear
and misery. With the help of the Americans, our
country was freed from the Japanese invaders.
Once more, peace came to our country. The fourth of
July, now known as the Fil-American Friendship Day,
marked the completion of Philippine Independence
from foreign rule. It was on the fourth of July that we
were granted total freedom.
 1. For three hundred years, the Philippines was under ___.
a. Spain b. Japan c. the United States
2. The Spanish flag flew on ___.
a. Spain b. our land c. United States
3. Our land was freed from the Spaniards by the __.
a. Spaniards b. Japanese c. Americans
4. The United States ruled our land for __.
a. fifty years c. one hundred years
b. two hundred years
5. They allowed our flag to fly___.
a. alone b. below theirs c. side by side with theirs
6. We were permitted to establish our own__.
a. religion b. schools c. government
7. In 1941, our country was invaded by__.
a. Spain b. Japan c. United States
8. Under the Japanese occupation, the Filipinos__.
a. were happy c. suffered hunger, fear and misery
b. were prosecuted
9. The Americans helped the Filipino guerillas to __.
a. enrich our country c. beautify our country
b. liberate our country
10.The fourth of July means__.
a. misery for the Filipinos
b. slavery for the Filipinos
c. freedom for the Filipinos

VOCABULARY:

governed territory
 AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN

An American soldier called Gregorio del Pilar was an

officer and a gentleman. Del Pilar was the youngest
general of the Philippine revolution. When the
revolution broke out he was only seve nteen. He was
brave and gallant soldier. He was only twenty four
years old when he died fighting at Tirad Pass.
Gregorio del Pilar was born in Bulacan, Bulacan. He
was a nephew of Marcelo H. del Pilar. He became the
favorite of General Emilio Aguinaldo who took the very
young soldier with him wherever he went. When the
fighting between the Americans and the Filipinos
became intense, General Emilio Aguinaldo had to
retreat to the mountains. General del Pilar and his
sixty men stood at Tirad Pass to cover the retreat. The
narrow pass was in Palanan, Isabela. Three hundred
American soldiers fought against del Pilar‟s sixty men.
But del Pilar and his men fought bravely until a bullet
stuck him dead.
 1. Who called General del Pilar an officer and a gentleman?
a. the English b. the Filipinos c. an American soldier
2. Which word describes Gregorio del Pilar as a General?
a. oldest b. youngest c. middle-aged
3. How old was he when the revolution broke out?
a. nineteen b. eighteen c. seventeen
4. How was he related to Marcelo del Pilar?
a. He was his aid. c. He was his nephew.
b. He was his cousin.
5. Where did General Aguinaldo retreat when the Americans pursued him?
a. to Palanan b. to Bulacan c. to Pangasinan
6. Who were assigned to guard the pass where the Americans would pass?
a. General Aguinaldo’s soldiers c. Marcelo H. del Pilar and his men
b. Gregorio del Pilar and his men
7. How many soldiers defended Tirad Pass with General del Pilar?
a. sixty men b. three hundred c. six hundred men
8. Where was Tirad Pass?
a. in Isabela b. in Nueva Ecija c. in Nueva Vizcaya
9. What happened to Gen. del Pilar during the battle?
a. He died. b. He retreated. c. He surrendered.
10. How old was he when he died?
a. twenty b. seventeen c. twenty four

VOCABULARY:

favorite gallant retreat intense

.
 ABELENS, A NEW MOUNTAIN TRIBE
The Abelens are small people, almost of
pygmy size. The average height of a grown
up girls is four feet and a young man about
four feet and eight inches. They are entirely
different from the Negritoes among whom
they have lived for thousands of years.
Abelens have long straight hair, not curly
like that of the Negritoes. Their complexion
is light brown much lighter than the dark
distinct red tint on their hair. Their eyes are
brown. Their features are fine. They are quite
a savage people. They used to make drinking
cups from skulls of their enemies. Although
they know the Negrito language, the Abelens
have a language of their own.
 1. What is this selection about?
a. small islanders c. small mountain group
b. small minority groups
2. What is the new tribe described in the selection called?
a. Ifugaos b. Abelens c. Negritoes
3. How tall is an average Abelen girl?
a. 4 feet b. 3 feet c. 4 feet and 8 inches
4. How tall is an Abelen man?
a. 5 feet b. 4 feet c. 4 feet and 8 inches
5. From whom is the Abelen tribe distinctly different?
a. Ifugaos b. Ibanags c. Negritoes
6. How does their hair look?
a. curly b. wavy c. straight
7. What is the color of their complexion?
a. black b. light brown c. dark brown
8. How are the Abelens described?
a. gentle b. savage c. intelligent
9. What do they use as drinking cups?
a. big leaves b. bamboo joints c. skulls of their enemies
10. What is their language?
a. Ifugao dialect
b. a language of their own
c. a borrowed language from some mountain tribe

VOCABULARY:
pygmy distinct features savage
 THE HOMING PIGEONS
During the first World War, both the army and
the navy felt a great need for some way to send
messages back to their headquarters. Sometimes a
tornadoed ship needed to send wireless message to
land. Men in a sinking ship were lost unless a
passing ship chanced upon them. Batallions sent
out on scouting trips were sometimes gunned down
by enemies. A soldier sent with a message for help
was oftentimes caught. Even messengers in
airplanes were not safe. The enemy usually shot
the planes and kept the messengers as prisoners.
So, pigeons were trained as messengers. They have
strong love for their homes. Most of the birds
move from one home to another but the pigeons
have one home to which they always return.
Pigeons even when taken away far from home,
always fly swiftly back to their habitations.
 1. Who have a strong love for their homes?
a. mayas b. pigeons c. love birds
2. What do they do even when taken away from home?
a. They are usually lost. c. they fly swiftly back home.
b. They never came back.
3. Pigeons were trained as_.
a. nurses b. soldiers c. messengers
4. What often happened to men sent as messengers in airplanes?
a. They were often lost in their way.
b. They were often shot down by enemy guns.
c. They carried messages safely to the headquarters.
5. Who felt a great need for a way to send messages to the headquarters?
a. the police b. the constabulary c. the army and the navy
6. During the First World War, how did the distressed ships ask for help?
a. through the radio c. through underground channels
b. through the messenger-pigeons
7. Who were sometimes lost and kept as prisoners by enemies?
a. battalions b. messenger on planes c. messenger in ships
8. When is the safe delivery of messages very important?
a. during travel b. during World War c. during field trips
9. What is the common characteristic of most birds?
a. They build homes.
b. They stay in one home. c. They move from one home to another.
10.Why do pigeons make good messengers?
a. They always fly steadily back home.
b. They change their homes very often.
c. They move from one place to another.

VOCABULARY:
torpedoed habitation distress steadily homing constabulary
 THE LOBSTER AND THE CRAB

One day Lobster and Crab met.

“I have ten claws,” boasted Crab. “I am the
great Crab which the land people like best to
eat. We, crabs are covered with head shield.
“We are knight belonging to the Order of
the Crustacea,” cried lobster.
“What does that mean?” asked Crab.
“Crustacea means covered with a crust or
shell,” explained Lobster.
“It is the same with us” said Crab. “Our
claws and bodies are made of rings of shell
joined together by sockets. We use our claws
for walking and for tearing our food.”
“Land people like to eat us,” said Lobster.
“When we are cooked, we turn into a bright
red color but in the water, we are green.
 1. Lobsters and Crabs are __.
a. birds b. fishes c. crustaceans
2. The crustaceans are like knights because__.
a. they have claws
b. they have nippers
c. their bodies are all covered with shields
3. Crustacea means__.
a. covered with hair c. covered with scales
b. covered with shell
4. Land people like to __.
a. eat the crustaceans c. make pets of the crustaceans
b. play with the crustaceans
5. What color do the crab and lobster have when they are in the water?
a. green b. orange c. bright red
6. Both Crabs and Lobsters are kinds of __.
a. seafood b. flying insects c. land animals
7. Which of them can walk on the land?
a. Both b. Crab c. Lobster
8. Are crabs and lobsters eaten by people too? Draw a crab if your answer is
NO; a lobster if your answer is YES.
9. Crustaceans have__.
a. fur b. shells c. scales
10.This kind of story is __.
a. fairy tale b. legend c. fable

VOCABLARY:

crust sockets
 A LETTER OF INVITATION

26 del Pilar Street

Sampaloc, Manila

March 15, 2004

Dear Nina,
My parents are going to give a party on the
evening of my graduation, March 29. It will be held
in our house on del Pilar Street. Please come and
bring along your brother, Milo, and your sister,
Ester. My father has prepared some very exciting
parlor games which I am sure you and your sister
and brother will enjoy. There will be also a program
prepared by my elder sister, Nora. The party starts at
six o‟clock. You can go home at nine so you will
have plenty of time to enjoy the party. We are
hoping to see you all.

Your friend,

Gina
 1. Where did Wally’s Grandma live?
a. in the city b. in the province c. in city suburb
2. Why did Wally fail to see the beautiful scenery?
a. He slept almost throughout the way
b. He was wearing dark glasses
c. He was not interested to look at the sceneries
3. Where did Wally ride?
a. on a bus b. on a train c. in a jeepney
4. Who was with Wally when he visited Grandma?
a. his father b. his mother c. nobody
5. How did Wally try to freshen himself?
a. He jumped
b. He ran and ran
c. He stretched out his arms
6. According to Grandma, what did Wally miss by sleeping all the way?
a. Grandma’s house
b. the place where they were going
c. the beautiful scenery on the countryside
7. Why did Wally not enjoy his first visit to Grandma?
a. The journey was long
b. The road were potmarked
c. The roads were smooth and nice
8. What did Grandma call Wally for sleeping all the way?
a. lazy b. cheerful c. curious
9. Why were the roads easy to travel on now?
a. They were cleaned by the government
b. They were damaged by the government
c. They had been repaired by the government
10. How was life after the flood?
a .It returned to normal
b. It was never the same again
c. It was much better than before
VOCABULARY
yawn potmarked damage