k5 Learning Reader Level R

4
Grade
Reading
Level R
Comprehension
STORIES INCLUDED
Signature Music
Nadia’s Perfect 10
Velocity Viper
Sawyer and the Talking Rabbit
Mr. Dude, the Strongman
… and 5 more!
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Grade 4 Reading Comprehension
Level R Workbook
by K5 Learning
© K5 Learning 2020
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or
by any means, electronic or mechanical, or by any information storage and retrieval
system, without permission in writing from the author. Permission is granted to
reproduce this material to be used with one (1) teacher's students by virtue of the
purchase of this book. In other words, one (1) teacher may make copies of these
worksheets to be used with his/her students. Permission is not given to reproduce the
material for resale.
____________________________________________
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Level R Reader
Table of Contents
Introduction & Tips ............................................................................................................... 1
List of Vocabulary Words .................................................................................................... 3
Stories & Exercises:
Velocity Viper .............................................................................................................................. 4
Crater of Diamonds and Other Things....................................................................................... 13
A Perfect Gift for Grandpa ......................................................................................................... 22
The Three Branches of the Treehouse Society ......................................................................... 30
Telephones, Bananas and a Grand Exhibition .......................................................................... 39
Sawyer and the Talking Rabbit ................................................................................................. 47
Katherine, Who Loved to Count ................................................................................................ 56
Mr. Dude, the Strongman. ......................................................................................................... 63
Nadia’s Perfect Ten................................................................................................................... 71
Signature Music ........................................................................................................................ 79
More from K5 Learning ....................................................................................................... 88
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Level R Reader
Introduction & Tips

Welcome to our series of levelled reading workbooks. Each workbook contains a
number of texts. Each text is followed by exercises designed to reinforce literacy skills
including reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling and writing. The books include
both fiction and non-fiction passages and explore a wide range of topics in social
studies, nature, history, science and more.
Our readers are “leveled” from A to Z based on a number of factors related to text
complexity such as vocabulary, average word size and sentence length, amount of
repetitiveness of words and sentence structures and subject matter complexity.
Early reading levels use short simple words and sentences in big fonts in a highly
repetitive manner. Stories relate to subjects young children are familiar with. Each
successive level introduces greater reading challenge.
About K5 Learning
K5 Learning provides thousands of free worksheets and affordable workbooks for

children in kindergarten to grade 5.
We work with award-winning teachers to create materials in support of independent

learning.
Our aim is to help parents help their kids develop their reading, math and study skills.
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Level R Reader
Some tips on using our leveled readers
 Review the vocabulary words on the first page of each story with your student.
Ask your child to read these words and talk about what they mean.
 Ask younger students to read the stories out loud and use their finger to point to
words as they read from left to right. Help them as needed.
 Ask younger students to also read the directions of the exercises out loud.
Remind them to use complete sentences when answering.
 Ask older students to look up words they don’t know in a dictionary.
 Point out punctuation; for example, when there is an exclamation mark ask
them to reread the sentence using more enthusiasm.
 Review your student’s work and guide him or her through any answers that are
not correct.
 Discuss the stories, the characters, the topics, the settings, the pictures –
anything about the text to make it more interesting, relevant or fun.
 Monitor your student’s progress and adjust reading levels as needed.
 Keep the reading fun!
Other books in this series

This book is one of a series of levelled reading workbooks. The levelled reading
approach makes it easy for parents to find appropriate materials for their kids.
The books range from Levels A-C (kindergarten) to Levels X-Z (grade 6).
The books can be purchased and downloaded exclusively from the online bookstore at
K5 Learning store.k5learning.com.
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service@k5learning.com.

Level R Reader
List of Vocabulary Words

The following vocabulary words are introduced in this workbook:
acceleration analyzing arrowhead autograph barbaric
bushel cacophony calculation centennial clothoid
competition congress constitution contagious contraptions
conversation cribbage demeanor diamonds dietary
diligent elegant emerged excavate executive
exhibition genre geometry gymnast hyperbole
inappropriate inhaled intervened judicial legislative
loop mathematics megaphone microphones mining
mission nickname orchestra pressures routines
scrabble signature society squirming studio
swallowed technique trajectory vault vegetarianism
veins velocity victorious viper weighted

Level R Reader
viper velocity acceleration

loop clothoid swallowed
Velocity Viper
As they stood in line for tickets, Charlie and his dad could
hear the kids riding the Velocity Viper roller coaster
screaming and shrieking. The peaks looked super -high.
“It looks higher than a mountain,” Charlie said nervously. “A

huge mountain.”
“It sure does,” his dad said, grinning and adjusting his
glasses.
“Does it go as fast as a rocket?” Charlie asked. “Maybe we

should just watch for a while ?”

Level R Reader
“Probably not that fast,” Dad said. “Roller coasters are

designed for riders to safely experience acceleration.
Acceleration is the rate at which something changes its
velocity, or speed. You can also feel acceleration; when I
press the gas pedal in the car, the car accelerates and you
feel like you are being pushed back in your seat. Don’t
worry, the roller coaster safety bar will keep you from flying
out of your seat.”
“The train looks like a viper,” Char lie said. “See the fangs on
the front car?”
Dad nodded and pointed to a high point of the track. “See

that loop? That’s a clothoid loop. It looks like an upside -
down teardrop.”
As he pointed at the loop, the train of cars zipped into it,

causing all the passengers to scream wildly.
Charlie swallowed hard.

The roller coaster looked
scary, and the
screaming riders did not
look like they were
having fun.

Level R Reader
“When they first designed roller coaster loops, they built

circular loops, but the cars didn’t have enou gh speed to
get all the way around.” Dad tugged Charlie closer to the
front of the line. “The clothoid loop is bigger at the bottom,
which makes riders feel heavy. It’s narrower at the top, so
the car slows down, and riders feel almost weightless. We’ll
feel the most speed at the bottom of the loop, both going
up and coming down. Don’t you just love physics?”
“Sure,” Charlie said, not really understanding.
The roller coaster attendant waved them

forward, and Charlie and his dad got into a
car. After buckling up, Charlie gripped the
safety bar with both hands.
“Near the end of the ride there’s a series of

small hills like camel humps with sharp little
drops. See how they repeat the pattern
twice? Every time we go over a hump we will
be changing direction, so we’ll feel the pushes
and pulls of acceleration. That will really get
our stomachs churning,” Dad said, grinning at
Charlie.
Charlie gripped the safety bar even tighter.

Level R Reader
The roller coaster attendant pushed the bright green

button, and the train of cars jolted forward and glided out
of the station.
As the train started up the first hill, Dad looked upwards and
said, “This track looks higher than I remember roller coasters
being when I was a kid.”
“Hey, Dad,” Charlie said, looking all around. “The roller

coaster track sort of looks like
a snake. Remember that
project I did on vipers? They
live all around the world, in
places like rainforests and
jungles, but not theme parks.”
Dad swallowed hard and looked at the ground far below as

the train continued its ascent.
“Their venom comes through their hollow fangs, and how

much venom they use depends on the size of their prey.”
Charlie pointed to the snakes painted on the sides of the
cars in front of them. “Like that!”
Dad gripped the safety bar tightly with bo th hands.

Level R Reader
“Look how high we are! The people on the ground look like
little ants! Dad? Dad!”
Dad was squeezing the safety bar tightly with both white -
knuckled hands. His face was pale, too, and he was not
looking at the view as his eyes were closed.
As the train reached the top of the first camel’s hump,

Charlie yelled, “Roller coasters are completely safe, Dad.
They are designed to let us safely experience acceleration.”
He glanced at his dad. “But this probably wouldn’t be the
best time to remember that st rawberry whip cream funnel
cake and spicy jalapeño nachos we had for lunch.”
They crested the hill and with sudden force, the train went
barreling down the first hump. Charlie whooped in
excitement, but Dad kept his mouth, and his eyes, tightly
closed.

Level R Reader
Velocity Viper (exercises)
1. Fill in the blanks.
A. Who was nervous at the beginning of the ride?
_____________________
B. Who was nervous at the end of the ride?
_____________________
C. What part of the roller coaster is nicknamed after

an animal who likes to spit?
The _____________________ - _______________ hills.
D. When we change speed or direction, we

experience ____________________.
2. Multiple Choice
What shape is widely used for the loops on roller

coasters?
a. the SQUARE
b. the CIRCLE
c. the CLOTHOID (or TE ARDROP)
d. the TRI ANGLE

Level R Reader
When do we experience acceleration? ?
a. When we increase our speed

b. When an elevator starts moving
c. When we go around a corner fast
d. All the above
The ride is named after a family of snakes called Vipers.

Where can vipers be found?
a. rainforests
b. hockey rinks
c. in the ocean
d. Seattle
e. All the above

Level R Reader
3. Design your own roller coaster by filling in the blanks

below. Here are some words you can use to fill in the
blanks.
straight track curved track

clothoid loop corkscrew
Camel-hump hill
The roller coaster car went slowly up the first hill and
came speeding down the track, immediately heading
into a ____________________, banking a steep 180 degree
turn into a series of ____________________. The car zipped
through a tunnel and into a ____________________ before
heading up a second large hill. The track twisted and
corkscrewed into a section of ____________________ track,
picking up speed as it did so as to better churn the
stomach of its riders. With sudden acceleration on the
next hill, the roller coaste r car did a ____________________
and a ____________________ before a last section of
____________________. Great job! What a thrilling ride you
created! Don’t forget to give it its own unique name:
____________________.

Level R Reader
Velocity Viper (answers)
A. Who was nervous at the beginning of the ride?

Charlie.
B. Who was nervous at the end of the ride?

Charlie’s father.
C. What part of the roller coaster is nicknamed after

an animal who likes to spit?
The camel - hump hills.
D. When we change speed or direction, we

experience acceleration.
2. Multiple Choice
What shape is widely used for the loops on roller

coasters? the CLOTHOID (or TEARDROP)
When do we experience acceleration? ?
d. All the above
The ride is named after a family of snakes called Vipers.

Where can vipers be found ?
a. rainforests
3. Design your own …..

Answers will vary.

Level R Reader
elegant pressures arrowhead

mining excavate diamonds
Crater of Diamonds and Other Things
“I love going to these huge

parks,” Beth told Mom in
the car as they drove down
the highway to Craters of
Diamonds Park.
Mom nodded. “Remember

our camping trip to Sebago
Lake State Park in Maine?”
“I hope we can go paddling th ere again someday,” Beth

said. “That park with the crooked river where we went
horseback riding was awesome, too.”
Mom smiled. “Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. That

land was once home to the Mohawk people, and the word
cuyahoga, means crooked river. I think Native Americans
once lived on the land that’s now the Crater of Diamonds
Park, too.”

Level R Reader
Beth took a drink of water. “Crater of Diamonds might be

the best park yet since it’s one of the only places in the
world where visitors can dig for diamonds. I ’m going to find
diamonds, and we’ll be rich!”
“If you do find one, you get to keep it!” Mom said.
“Didn’t you say people have found over 33,000 diamonds

over the years?” Beth asked.
Mom nodded.
“I’m going to have mine made into

an elegant necklace, like at the
Academy Awards,” Beth said, closing
her eyes and grinning. “ And if I find enough,
maybe I’ll make a diamond collar for Jessie, too.”
Mom parked the car. “I think that hound dog would

appreciate a big bone more, but you can do whatever you
want with any diamonds you find.”
Beth jumped out of the backseat and stared out at the

enormous field, full of long rows of brown ruts where people
had been digging for diamonds. Somewhere under those
piles of dirt, treasure was waiting for her. “Did you bring
shovels?” Beth asked.

Level R Reader
Mom shook her head. “We’ll need to rent some tools. Good
thing we got here early; I think they sell 1,500 tickets a day
to diamond hunters.”
Inside, they met a park ranger named Sally. They carried

their tools outside as Sally told them about diamonds. “All of
the diamonds people wear today are over a billion years
old. They were formed many miles under the Earth’s crust
where the temperatures and pressures are extremely high.
At some point, magma from active volcanoes carried the
diamonds up to the Earth’s s urface where they cooled
down and stayed buried in the rocks, waiting for an eager
miner.”
“That’s so cool!” Beth said.
“A mining company used to own this land,”

Sally said.
“And before that, Native Americans

lived here, right?” Beth asked.
Sally smiled. “That’s right. You’ve been

doing your homework. Anyway,” she explained, “the
diamonds the miners excavated were so small that the
company soon realized it could make more money renting
out tools and letting the public dig them up for fun!”

Level R Reader
“I hope I find more than one diamond,”

Beth said. “I’m going to make a diamond
collar for my dog if I find some small ones.”
“Good luck!” Sally said.
In the middle of the field, Beth started

digging wildly, driving her shovel into the
soft brown earth, flinging clumps of dirt
over her shoulder without looking.
“Hey, watch it!” Mom said. “You don’t want to miss the
diamonds and end up at the center of the Earth.”
“Sorry, Mom. This is serious business!” After she dug each

hole, Beth got down on her hands and knees and sifted
through the dirt.
Hours later, Mom said, “I think that’s it for me.” She wiped
her sweaty forehead on her bandana and looked at the
dozens of holes and piles of dirt. “I t looks like a city of
moles has been at work here today.”
“But I didn’t even find one diamond,” Beth said, wiping at

her eyes with her dirty hands. “Just dirt!”

Level R Reader
“We’ve got a long drive ahead of us, and I think we should

get on the road before the sun sets.”
Beth stood up, brushed off her shorts, then spotted a

strange-looking, not-shiny rock. It was black and triangular,
but it did not look like an ordinary stone. “Mom, what is
this?” Beth asked, picking it up and examining it more
closely.
“Oh my gosh, Beth!” Mom said. “It looks like a Native

American arrowhead! It must be very old.”
Beth and her Mom brought the arrowhead to Sally. “That’s

an amazing find,” Sally said. “We’ve had a few others turn
up over the years, but they are exceedingly
rare.”
“Can I keep it?” Beth asked. “Or does it have

to go to a museum?”
“It’s yours to keep,” Sally said.
Smiling, Beth examined the arrowhead in her hand and

wondered about who had made it so long ago and what
they had used it for. She tucked the treasure into the front
pocket of her backpack. “It’s too bad for Jessie, but this is
way cooler than diamonds for a necklace.”

Level R Reader

(exercises)
1. True or False
A. At the Crater of Diamonds State Park, visitors find

diamonds very rarely.
_____________________
B. At first, Beth does not care whether she finds a

diamond or not.
_____________________
C. Diamonds discovered today were formed about a

month ago in the Earth’s crust.
_____________________
2. Multiple Choice
In this story, what is something Beth dreams of doing

with a diamond if she finds one ?
a. making a necklace
b. selling it to miners
c. giving it to a museum
d. tossing is in the ocean

Level R Reader
Why did Beth’s mom say, “It looks like a city of moles
has been at work here today”?
a. Beth is greedy.
b. Beth did a lot of digging.
c. Beth is young.
d. Beth has a pet mole.
Where are diamonds formed ?
a. in rivers
b. many miles below Earth’s surface
c. in the bones of dinosaurs
d. in state parks
3. Connect the words below to their meanings.
triangular beautiful and shiny
excavate semi-liquid hot rock
elegant shaped like a triangle
magma dig up
dazzling beautiful and classy

Level R Reader
4. Which would you rather find, a diamond or an arrowhead?

Why?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Level R Reader

(answers)
1. True or False
A. At the Crater of Diamonds State Park, visitors find
diamonds very rarely.
True
B. At first, Beth does not care whether she finds a
diamond or not.
False
C. Diamonds discovered today were formed about a
month ago in the Earth’s crust.
False
2. Multiple Choice
a. making a necklace
b. Beth did a lot of digging.
b. many miles below Earth’s surface
3. Connect the words below to their meanings.
4. Answers may vary.

Level R Reader
cribbage squirming inappropriate

scrabble hyperbole contagious
A Perfect Gift for Grandpa
Ian felt like there were snakes squirming in his stomach as

he headed home for a birthday celebration for Grandpa.
True, there would be a delicious dinner. His dad would grill,
and his mom would bake a birthday
cake. Grandpa would make sure
Ian got extra scoops of ice
cream on the side, and his
mom would let him cover it with
chocolate sauce. Ian was a
big fan of homemade
cake and ice cream with
chocolate sauce.
Ian was also a fan of his

grandpa. He told silly and sometimes inappropriate jokes in
his deep gravelly voice. His mom’s cheeks turned red at
some of the things Grandpa said, but his contagious laugh
made her giggle, too. He did not care what anyone in the
world thought of him.

Level R Reader
Grandpa was the smartest man in the universe; at least,

that is what Ian’s mom said. Ian had taken her words
literally for a long time, but now, at almost eleven, he knew
it was an exaggeration. Hyperbole, his English teacher
would say. Ian liked words like hyperbole better than he
liked numbers, and that was one of the reaso ns why he was
apprehensive.
Everything would be great, until the cake and ice cream

had been eaten and his grandpa’s gifts had been opened,
and then it would happen. Ian knew there was nothing he
could do to escape it. Grandpa wouldn’t forget, because
he never forgot anything.
“Why do you look upset?” Dad asked, as

Ian hung his coat on a hook by the front
door and then slid off his sneakers. “Did
you have a bad day at Max’s?”
“We had an okay day. We played

Minecraft.” The tasty aroma of freshly baked cak e tickled
his nose as Ian walked into the living room. His best friend
Max lived next door and was obsessed with Minecraft. Ian
thought it was fine, but honestly, he’d rather read a book.
He didn’t tell most kids that, but Max didn’t make fun of him
for anything. He put the “best” in best friend.

Level R Reader
“Mom’s gone to pick up Grandpa,” Dad said. “I’m going to

start grilling as soon as they’re back. Do you want to help
me set the table?”
Ian went to the kitchen, passing the island where his dad
had food laid out, and grabbed the plates and cutlery. He
set them on the table and then sat down in his chair with a
big sigh.
“Are you sure that there’s nothing bothering you?” his dad
asked as he chopped onions.
Ian watched Dad wipe away onion tears,

and then sighed again. He tried to put his
anxiety into words, but it was tricky. His
dad waited, giving Ian time to form his
thoughts.
“Grandpa challenged me to a game of

cribbage last time he was here.” Cribbage
was his grandpa’s favorite game, but until
that night, Ian had never played him.
“Okay?”

Level R Reader
“I hate cribbage. There’s too much math.” Ian was worried

his grandpa would think he was stupid. His eyes got hot and
sticky, and he swallowed and took deep breaths.
Before Ian could say anything else, his mom and Grandpa
walked into the kitchen.
“What do you call a bear with no teeth?” his grandpa

asked, hugging Ian tightly. Without waiting for Ian’s guess,
he said, “A gummy bear!”
After they had finished laughing, everyone bustled around,

and Dad started up the grill. Later, when Ian’s stomach was
full of burgers, cake and ice cream, Grandpa turned to him
and, in a serious voice, asked I an if he knew what time it
was.
“I’ll get the cribbage board,” Ian

said glumly, keeping his eyes on the
floor as he got up from his chair.
“Why don’t we try Scrabble

tonight?” Grandpa suggested.
Ian stopped and turned around.

“Really? But you love cr ibbage.”

Level R Reader
“But Scrabble is your favorite. You hate cribbage,” Grandpa

said, winking at Ian.
Ian realized his grandpa had overheard him earlier. He felt

terrible. “No, it’s more that I’m not great at math.”
“Well, neither was your mom, but I taught her to play

cribbage, and with practice she got better. Now she is
almost as good as me,” Grandpa said with twinkling eyes.
Ian glanced at his mom, and she nodded. “He’d love to

teach you,” she said softly.
Ian got her message. Playing his

grandpa’s favorite game with him,
and letting Grandpa teach him, was
the best birthday gift Ian could give
him. Ian smiled and ran to get the
cribbage board.

Level R Reader
A Perfect Gift for Grandpa (exercises)
1. Multiple Choice
Why didn’t Ian want to play cribbage with his

Grandpa?
a. He was nervous because he did not think he was

good at math.
b. He was worried his friend Max would find out.
c. He’d rather play Minecraft with his Grandpa.
d. He hated all games.
The author said that Grandpa’s laugh was

“contagious”. What does this mean?
a. Grandpa’s laugh gave people the flu.

b. Grandpa’s laugh made people blush.
c. Grandpa’s never laughed without a mask on.
d. Grandpa’s laugh made other people laugh too.
Why was Ian’s dad cry ing?
a. He did not want to play cribbage.

b. He was cutting up onions.
c. He did not get any gifts on his birthday.
d. Max would not play Minecraft with him.

Level R Reader
2. Circle the sentences that are examples of hyperbole.
It was so cold that I had to put on a hat and gloves.
It was so cold that penguins were wearing hats and gloves.
The dog ran faster than a shooting star.
The dog ran faster than I can ride a bike.
I was so surprised my mouth fell open.
I was so surprised you could have knocked me over with a

feather.
3. Explain in your own words why Grandpa wants to play

cribbage with Ian.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Level R Reader
A Perfect Gift for Grandpa (answers)
1. Multiple Choice
Why didn’t Ian want to play cribbage with his

Grandpa?
a. He was nervous because he did not think he was
good at math.
The author said that Grandpa’s laugh was

“contagious”. What does this mean?
d. Grandpa’s laugh made other people laugh too.
Why was Ian’s dad cry ing?

b. He was cutting up onions.
2. Circle the sentences that are examples of hyperbole.
It was so cold that I had to put on a hat and gloves.
It was so cold that penguins were wearing hats and gloves.
The dog ran faster than a shooting star.
The dog ran faster than I can ride a bike.
I was so surprised my mouth fell open.
I was so surprised you could have knocked me over with a

feather.
3. Explain in your own words why Grandpa wa nts to play

cribbage with Ian.
Answers may vary.

Level R Reader
society executive constitution

judicial congress legislative
The Three Branches of the Treehouse

Society
“The official meeting of the Treehouse

Society will now come to order,” Ernie said,
slamming a hammer down on the card
table in front of him.
Leo and Judy, the two other members of

the Treehouse Society, each gave a solemn nod.
Ernie continued, “Our first item of business is to agree on a

constitution for our club. I think our first rule should be that
no vegetables are allowed, ever.”
“What? I love vegetables ! You cannot make rules just to

please yourself,” Judy exclaimed.
“Vegetables are disgusting, and since I am the president of

our club, I get to make the rules,” Ernie said.
“That’s not fair! Leo, what do you think?” Judy asked.

Level R Reader
With the two other members staring at him, Leo blushed. He

did not like confrontation. “Maybe we could make a rule
that only some vegetables are allowed?”
“That’s still not fair! How do we decide

which vegetables should be banned?
Broccoli? Zucchini? Asparagus? Where does
it stop?” Judy asked. She felt her anger
rising. Ernie was not happy either. They had
just started the Treehouse Society and
already they were having problems.
Just then their argument was interrupted by a knock at the

treehouse door. The door swung open, revealing two
gentlemen dressed in strange, old -fashioned clothes.
“I am John Locke,” the taller man said, bowing politely.

“And this is Charles-Louis de Secondat.”
“Please, call me Charles,” the second man said, also

bowing. “We hear you are having problems establishing
your club.”
Judy nodded. “Yes, we can’t agree on t he rules. I don’t

think one person should be able to make all the rules and
have all of the control, like some sort of king. We should all
have a say.”

Level R Reader
“When America was first getting started,

John and I helped solve the exact problem
you are now facing. The founding fathers
wanted a country that would not be ruled
by one person with all the power,” Charles
said.
“I came up with the idea of a separation

of powers,” John said. “I proposed that
there be different branches of the
government that would have se parate
responsibilities and powers. Mr. Locke
smiled. “I did not want any one part of
the government to have power over the
other parts.”
“Cool,” Judy said. “But how does it

work?”
“I used John’s idea of a separation of powers and

suggested the three branches of government that the
United States still uses today: the executive branch, the
legislative branch, and the judicial branch,” Charles said.
“Do all three branches make the laws, and how do they
decide on a law if they dis agree?” Judy asked.

Level R Reader
“Those are great questions,” Charles said, smiling. “It is the

job of the legislative branch to make the laws. Congress is
part of the legislative branch. They are responsible for
writing bills or proposals for laws. They then vote on t hese
bills in order to make them laws.
The executive branch, which includes the President and

Vice-President of the United States, can veto a bill, but they
cannot make a new law themselves. They are also in
charge of making sure the approved laws are en forced.
The judicial branch must judge the laws and make sure they
follow the Constitution. Maybe you have
heard of the Supreme Court? The Supreme
Court and other lower courts are part of
the judicial branch,” Charles explained.
“These three branches for m what is

called a checks and balance system,” added
John. “One branch cannot have all of the power. If the
legislative branch suggests a bill, and the President does
not approve, the executive branch can veto or cancel the
bill before it becomes law. Or, if there is a law that goes
against the constitution, the judicial branch can rule
against it. Each branch works together to keep our country
balanced and running smoothly. Does that make sense?”

Level R Reader
The three members of the Treehouse Society nodded slowly.
“Well,” Charles said. “Our work here is done. Farewell!”
Judy looked at Ernie and Leo as the door closed behind

their two visitors. “If it works for the United States, it should
work for us.”
After voting, Ernie became president, part of the executive

branch for their club. Leo was appointed to represent the
legislative branch, and Judy was selected for the judicial
branch.
Their first item of business was the vegetable law.

Congressman Leo proposed the rule that only one
vegetable, any vegetable of choice , could be served at a
meeting. Judge Judy decided that this rule was consistent
with the Treehouse Society’s constitution. President Ernie
didn’t veto the law and agreed
to inspect all future picnic
baskets to ensure they
complied with the rule.
The Treehouse Society went on

to become a model for
Treehouse clubs all over the
world.

Level R Reader
The Tree Branches of the Treehouse

Society (exercises)
Will you help the Treehouse Society set up their club?
Part 1. Move each job from the list under the correct
branch that does that job.
Ernie Leo Judy

Jobs Executive Legislative Judicial
Branch Branch Branch
Judge whether
a law follows the
constitution.
Propose laws by
writing bills.
Vote on bills.
Execute the laws

or put them into
action.
Veto a law that

they disagree
with.
Rule against a
law through a
court decision.

Level R Reader
Part 2. This is the official constitution for the Treehouse

Club. Use words from the word bank to fill in the
blanks.
Word Bank
judge executive government
veto power legislative
We, the kids of the Treehouse club, in order to form a more
perfect club, have decided to form three branches of
_____________________ for our club. The _____________________
branch will include the president and will be able to
_____________________ any laws they don’t approve of. The
_____________________ branch will make laws that are fair and
just for everyone. The judicial branch will _____________________
whether or not these laws are fair. All members of the club
will have a voice and equal _____________________ and
responsibilities in running our club.

Level R Reader
Part 3. Imagine you were part of Congress. What laws

would you want to make?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

Level R Reader
The Tree Branches of the Treehouse

Society (answers)
Part 1. Move each job from the list under the correct branch
that does that job.
Part 2. This is the official constitution for the Treehouse Club.

Use words from the word bank to fill in the blanks.
We, the kids of the Treehouse club, in order to form a more

perfect club, have decided to form three branches of
government for our club. The executive branch will include the
president and will be able to veto any laws it doesn’t approve
of. The legislative branch will make laws that are fair and just for
everyone. The judicial branch will judge whether or not these
laws are fair. All members of the club will have a voice and
equal power and responsibilities in running our club.
Part 3. Answers will vary.

Level R Reader
exhibition cacophony contraptions

bushel centennial megaphone
Telephones, Bananas and a Grand

Exhibition
Mason yawned as he read about the Centennial Exhibition

in his history text. Held in 1876 in Philadelphia, the
Centennial Exhibition was an international fair, organized to
celebrate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the
American Declaration of Independence. Exhibits
showcasing the latest innovations, including Heinz ketchup,
the typewriter, and a steam -driven monorail
were all featured, and the intriguing
contraptions and concessions drew
over nine million visitors.
Mason kept drifting off to sleep, then

jolting awake again. Since it was the last
chapter he had to review, he decided to
finish study ing for his test in the
morning.

Level R Reader
Before he could close the book, the words began swimming

and swirling in front of his eyes. When the whole room
started to spin, he closed his eyes, and he felt like he was
flying. Finally, he landed with a thud, rubbed his eyes and
stared. Somehow he had landed at the Centennial
Exhibition!
“Holy time -traveling,” Mason said to himself as he strolled

around to get his bearings. The fairground contained
several grand pavilions, surrounded by smaller exhibition
areas. He had read that the Main Exhibition building was
the biggest building in the world in 1876, and it was the size
of several skating rinks put together.
Feeling famished, Mason stopped by a fr uit stall where

bananas were displayed in a decorative arrangement. The
man behind the stall was demonstrating how to “open this
exotic fruit”. Mason realized that the people watching had
never seen bananas before.
Mason accepted a sample

banana from the man, quickly
peeled it and took a bite.
“Could be a little riper,” he told
the man.

Level R Reader
A woman next to him gasped. “You act like you eat one of
these wonders every day.”
Mason looked at her blankly. “It’s a banana,” he said. “I do

eat one almost every day.”
“Slow down!” the seller admonished. “Savor it! Those

bananas cost ten cents a bushel!”
Mason shrugged sheepishly and sauntered away.
Mason browsed the other stalls, looking for more free treats.
At a stall displaying root beer, he grabbed a small cup full
of dark liquid and drank it quickly.
“Blech!” he said, wishing he could spit

out the thick concentrate of sugary
syrup.
“You need some of this,” the exhibiter said,

pouring soda water into the syrup to make
root beer. “It’s a wonderfully healthy drink!”
he added, causing Mason to raise his
eyebrows.

Level R Reader
At the next exhibit, he saw a man demonstrating how to use

a strange cone -shaped thing which the sign
said was a telephone. The man’s name
tag read “Alexander Graham Bell ”.
The name sounded familiar to
Mason, but he could not
remember why.
A lady, who first held the speaker to her mouth, cried out
“My goodness, it talks!” when she finally moved the speaker
to her ear.
From across the fairgrounds, Mason heard a man calling out

through a megaphone: “Right this way, please! The ultimate
highlight of the Centennial is here.”
Expecting something incredibly grandiose, Mason followed

the man to his exhibition area. He was disappointed when
the man pulled out a boring -looking suitcase. The only
unique thing about it was that it was made of rubbery cloth,
like a raincoat. The man opened the suitcase, stretching it
out until it formed a hollow-egg shape, big enough for a
man to fit inside. The man then began pouring water into it.
“A portmanteau that becomes a bathtub!” the man said

proudly. “Perfect for the traveler.”

Level R Reader
Mason burst out laughing. He covered his mouth and tried

not to snicker as the man glared at him.
“It will afford travelers, in places where there are no such

facilities, the luxury of bathing,” the man said loudly.
“I’m sorry,” Mason countered, “but I can tell you, no one

will be using that suitcase to take a bath 150 years from
now.”
The speaker went on the offensive, shaking his finger in

Mason’s face. “Cease in your mockery!” he hissed. “Are you
even supposed to be here? Where is your ticket?”
Realizing he could not produce a ticket, Mason turned and

walked away quickly, hurry ing back out onto the fairground
just as a cacophony of beeping and buzzing
filled his ears, and he felt like he was
falling again.
Mason awoke to the buzzing of his alarm

clock. Fumbling with the device, Mason
turned it off and checked the time. He didn’t
have time for that last bit of studying, but,
because of his bizarre dream, he fel t confident he would
get all the Centennial Exhibition questions correct!

Level R Reader

Exhibition (exercises)
1. Multiple Choice
Why was the Centennial Exhibitions held ?
a. to celebrate the first telephone

b. to sell bananas
c. to celebrate the 100 t h anniversary of the
Declaration of I ndependence
d. to demonstrate silly inventions
What was the man at the banana stand demonstrating ?
a. how to slice and dice vegetables

b. how to use a telephone
c. how to make banana smoothies
d. how to peel a banana
What is a portmanteau?
a. a rubber mat
b. a suitcase
c. a metal tub
d. a swimming pool

Level R Reader
2. Using words from the story, finish these sentences.
A. Mason was feeling _____________________, so he got a

banana from the stand to eat.
B. In order to make root beer, you need to add

_____________________ _____________________ to the root
beer concentrate.
C. A woman cried out “My goodness, it talks!” when

she moved the _____________________ to her ear.
D. A _____________________ or beeping and buzzing filled

Mason’s ears as he ran away from the
portmanteau demonstration.
3. Why do you think the name “Alexander Graham Bell”

sounded familiar to Mason?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Level R Reader

Exhibition (answers)
1. Multiple Choice
c. to celebrate the 100 t h anniversary of the

Declaration of I ndependence
d. how to peel a banana
b. a suitcase
2. Using words from the story, finish these sentences.
A. Mason was feeling famished, so he got a banana

from the stand to eat.
B. In order to make root beer, you need to add soda

water to the root beer concentrate.
C. A woman cried out “My goodness, it talks!” when

she moved the speaker to her ear.
D. A cacophony or beeping and buzzing filled

Mason’s ears as he ran away from the
portmanteau demonstration.
3. Why do you think the name “Alexander Graham Bell”

sounded familiar to Mason?
Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone.

Level R Reader
barbaric intervened vegetarianism

dietary emerged conversation
Sawyer and the Talking Rabbit
Sawyer had been so excited when he opened the magic kit

on his birthday. I t was exactly what he had been hoping for.
However, two weeks later, the kit was becoming an endless
source of frustration.
Sawyer could not figure out how to do any tricks with th e

deck of cards. He mostly just ended up dropping all the
cards on the floor. He could not even figure out how to pull
the stuffed rabbit out of the hat. And forget about finding a
quarter behind anyone’s ear. He couldn’t
do that either!
Just as Sawyer let out a long sigh, a

quiet voice came from behind
him.
“Why are you so sad?” the soft voice

asked.

Level R Reader
Startled, Sawyer turned around quickly

to see who was in his room. There,
perched on his desk beside the magic
hat, was a real white rabbit. Sawyer’s eyes
widened with astonishment as he
considered the possibility that the rabbit
was the one talking.
“You look like you’ve never seen a talking

rabbit before.” The rabbit giggled as he
hopped down from the desk. “My
name is Waldo, and I already know
you’re Sawyer.”
Sawyer looked around. Was this a joke? Or was it possible

that his magic kit was way, way better than he had ever
imagined?
“Whoa there, big fella!” Waldo suddenly exclaimed as

Buddy, the family dog, trotted into the room.
Buddy woofed, then said, “Do n’t worry, my little furry friend.
I am not interested in rabbit for my bedtime snack. I’d
prefer a nice bone.”
“Carrots for me,” Waldo said. “Eating meat is disgusting.”

Level R Reader
Sawyer’s eyes popped open even wider as he realized that

his dog, who had never done more than bark or growl, was
suddenly speaking in full sentences to a talking rabbit.
Furthermore, their conversation was becoming a debate on
the pros and cons of vegetarianism!
“You’re never going to convince me to give up on nice,

juicy steaks,” Buddy s aid. “I t’s a special day when someone
drops a piece of meat on the floor during suppertime.”
“That’s so barbaric of you!” Waldo said, hopping toward

Buddy. “You need more cruciferous vegetables in your diet,
my friend. Broccoli, cauliflower, spinach! Trust me, you’ll feel
like a million bucks if you switch to a plant -based diet.”
A tiny voice emerged from the corner of the room. “You

can’t beat a tasty cricket!”
Sawyer’s jaw dropped open. From

his hamster wheel, Cupcake had
joined in the conversation,
weighing in on his dietary
preferences.
“How’s it going in here?” Sawyer’s mom asked, poking her

head into the room. She smiled at Sawyer, not seeming to
notice the three talking animals.

Level R Reader
“Mom, you won’t believe it. My magic

kit came with this amazing talking
rabbit, and Buddy and Cupcake…”
Sawyer paused in the middle of
spewing out the details as he became
keenly aware that he was now the
only one talking.
Sawyer looked at the animals and

demanded, “Say something!"
Buddy dropped his tail and silently slunk out of the room.
The hamster nibbled on his lettuce. Stuffed -animal Waldo
was back on the desk, lying lifelessly beside the magic hat.
“You have such a big imagination,” Mom said, laughi ng.

“Now it’s time for bed. You need some rest. I’ll be back in a
few minutes,” she said, looking closely at Sawyer before
leaving the room.
“Rest?” Waldo said with exasperation. “No one is going to

rest! Do you know how long I have been stuck in this hat?
Weeks, months, maybe even years.”
“Enough with the drama,” Cupcake interrupted, clearly

irritated. “Why don’t you do some yoga and a little deep
breathing? You’re so highly -strung.”

Level R Reader
“Ha!” Waldo said, hopping towards the hamster cage. “I’m

highly-strung?” he asked incredulously. “How ironic, coming
from someone who sprints around on a wheel that leads to
nowhere!”
The two animals continued arguing until Sawyer intervened.
“That’s enough from both of you!” he exclaimed. “Let’s just

go to bed. I don’t know what is going on here, but I
definitely don’t need to referee an argument between a
rabbit and a hamster!”
Sawyer climbed into bed, then

watched as Waldo hopped
swiftly across the room, jumped
up effortlessly onto the bed,
and snuggled up next to his
face on the pillow.
Mom peeked in and smiled as

she saw Sawyer, cozied up to
his new stuffed bunny. She
wished him a good night, kissed
him on the cheek, and turned
out the light before leaving the
room.

Level R Reader
Hours later, when Sawyer woke up, he was surprised to see

that Waldo was no longer at his side. He stood up,
stretched, and went to the window. It had snowed
overnight, and a trail of tiny pawprints led from his window,
across the lawn, to the line of trees in the backyard.
“Was that all just a dream?” Sawyer w hispered in disbelief.

No one, including the sleeping hamster, answered.

Level R Reader
Sawyer and the Talking Rabbit (exercises)
1. True (T) and False (F)? Circle the right answer.
Buddy, the dog, wanted to

T F
become a vegetarian.
Mom did not witness the

T F
animals talking.
Sawyer stopped the argument

between Waldo and the T F
hamster.
Waldo became a stuffed toy

each time Mom entered the T F
room.
2. Fill in the blanks using the following words.
barbaric vegetarian intervened
Waldo thought that eating meat was _________________.
Sawyer _________________ to stop the animals from arguing.
If a person only eats plant food, he is a _________________.

Level R Reader
3. Continue the story. What happens next after Sawyer

discovers the pawprints in the snow?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Level R Reader
Sawyer and the Talking Rabbit (answers)
1. True (T) and False (F)? Circle the right answer.
2. Fill in the blanks using the following words.
Waldo thought that eating meat was barbaric.
Sawyer intervened to stop the animals from arguing.
If a person only eats plant food, he is a vegetarian.
3. Continue the story. What happens next after Sawyer

discovers the pawprints in the snow?
Answers may vary.

Level R Reader
geometry analyzing mathematics

mission trajectory calculation
Katherine, Who Loved to Count
As a little girl, Katherine Johnson was very curious, and she

loved to count things. She counted steps, dishes, and the
stairs to her church. For her, math was everywhere.
At school, she skipped several grades, and she started high

school when she was only 10! At 15, she started college,
study ing to become a
mathematician, although she also
loved English and French. She
was especially interested in
geometry, the study of lines,
angles and shapes.
She became a teacher, got married and

had childre n. When she was 34, she heard
that N ASA (the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration), was hiring African American
women to become “computers.” Today, we think of
computers as electronic devices, but the word can also
refer to people who make calcula tions.

Level R Reader
NASA wanted to send rockets into space and to

land a man on the moon. However, there were
no maps or roads in space, and the earth and
the moon are constantly moving and spinning.
It was very complicated to figure out exactly
when a rocket should launch and in what
directions it needed to fly to make a safe trip.
A lot of mathematics was needed to solve
these problems. So when Katherine applied for
the job as a computer, N ASA hired her.
At the space agency, Katherine worked with lots of other

“computers.” They were women whose main work was
reading and analyzing the data from the black boxes of
airplanes. Katherine’s work involved examining data from
flight tests and investigating plane crashes. It was the
perfect place to put her math skills to wo rk.
Unlike most of the “computers,” Katherine soon began

attending meetings with the space engineers and asking
questions. The engineers quickly recognized her skill as a
mathematician, and she became part of their team.
Katherine was asked to calculate the trajectory of
spaceships. She figured out the whole path they would
have to take through space in order to arrive home and
land in a safe spot.

Level R Reader
In 1961, using geometry, Katherine did the flight path, or

trajectory, calculations for America’s first huma n
spaceflight. The next year she was asked to figure out the
path a spacecraft must take to orbit, or go all the way
around, Earth.
Although computers were programmed to guide John

Glenn’s famous 1962 mission orbiting Earth, Glenn insisted
that Katherine must first check the computer’s calculations.
He wanted her to make sure they were
correct, and he said, “If she says they’re
good, then I’m ready to go.” The mission
was a big success.
In 1969, N ASA was ready to send

astronauts to the Moon. Katherine wa s
part of the team that calculated from
where and when the Apollo 11
spacecraft should launch in order to
make it safely to the Moon and back.
When the first men, Buzz Aldrin and Neil
Armstrong, walked on the Moon in 1969,
it was partly because of the calc ulations
Katherine Johnson had done.

Level R Reader
After she retired from her 33 -year career with NASA,

Katherine began traveling to schools across the country.
She talked about how math could change the world. She
encouraged students to reach for the stars and never g ive
up on their dreams.
In 2015, President Barack Obama awarded the Presidential

Medal of Freedom to Katherine Johnson. It was to honor her
work as a pioneer in the fields of STEM (science, technology,
engineering and mathematics).

Level R Reader
Katherine, Who Loved to Count (exercises)
1. Multiple Choice
What was Katherine Johnson’s job ?
a. She was a truck driver.

b. She was a mathematician.
c. She was an actress.
d. She was a writer.
Where did Katherine Johnson work?
a. The CI A
b. NASA
c. The White House
d. LEGO
What was the special name for the women who solved
the kind of math problems that Katherine Johnson
solved?
a. calculators
b. engineers
c. computers
d. counting machines

Level R Reader
2. True or False
Katherine Johnson’s math

helped deep -sea divers find out T F
where it was safe to swim.
Katherine Johnson’s favorite

T F
subject at school was art.
Katherine Johnson helped

T F
astronauts get to the Moon.
Katherine Johnson taught

Barack Obama how to count T F
by twos.
3. Why do you think John Glenn wanted Katherine to check

the computer’s calculations before his big fight?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Level R Reader
Katherine, Who Loved to Count (answers)
1. Multiple Choice
What was Katherine Johnson’s job ?

b. She was a mathematician.
Where did Katherine Johnson work?

b. NASA
What was the special name for the women who solved
the kind of math problems that Katherine Johnson
solved?
c. computers
2. True or False
3. Why do you think John Glenn wanted Katherine to check

the computer’s calculations before his big fight?
Answers may vary.

Level R Reader
inhaled nickname competition

veins weighted victorious
Mr. Dude, the Strongman
On the car ride to the arena, Scottie and Timmy bounced

around in the backseat, excited that the big day had
arrived. “Can you believe it?” Scottie asked, pointing to the
giant Strongman Competition banner outside the arena.
For months, they’d been re -watching video after video of

their hero, undefeated strongman, Mr. Dude. After his lifts,
fans, mesmerized by his feats of strength and power, would
shout, “MR. DUDE!” That became his nickname, and no one
even remembered his real name.
Seating was first-come, first-serve,

and the boys scored front-row
seats because they were early. The
first event was called Tire Flips. The
burly men, wearing knee sleeves,
elbow sleeves and weight belts,
flipped ultraheavy 800 -pound tractor
tires, end-over-end, in a race to the finish line.

Level R Reader
In the final heat of the Tire Flip, the winners of the previous
heats, including Mr. Dude, lined up. Amazingly, Mr.
Dude flipped his massive tire six times in twenty
seconds, and crossed the finish line first.
Pumping his massive arms in the air, he
roared like a victorious Viking.
“We have to get his autograph,” Scottie said.
Timmy nodded, but the thought of

approaching the huge man was terrifying.
The next event was called the Farmers’ Walk, where

competitors had to carry heavy weights attached to each
end of a pole stretched across their shoulders. Mr. Dude
could not finish the final walk and lost to a young
strongman named Albert. Mr. Dude looked disappointed,
but he charged into the next event, the Keg Toss. He easily
heaved the first few weighted kegs over the high bar, but
again, he lost to Albert.
The second loss was too much for Mr. Dude; yelling in
frustration, he grabbed a chair and smashed it on the
ground. A chair leg skidded across the ground and slid
under the barrier, landing at Timmy’s feet. Timmy swallowed
hard, picked up the chair leg and held it tightly.

Level R Reader
The announcer introduced the fourth and final event, the

Tree Press.
“Mr. Dude needs to win this one,” Scottie said.
Timmy nodded.
Each strongman had to take a massive

tree with attached hand holds, lift it from the ground and
press it up as high as they could. The first athlete lifted the
tree to his chest, but he couldn’t lift the tree any higher .
The next few strongmen almost made the lift, but all failed.
When it was Albert’s turn, with a lot of grunting, he lifted the
tree overhead, straight-arming it high above his head. As
the crowd went wild, Albert lowered the tree to his chest
and slowly lifted the tree again. Even Scottie and Timmy
cheered for Albert.
When Mr. Dude walked onto the platform, the noise

stopped abruptly. Mr. Dude approached the tree; looking
straight ahead, he roared. His eyes widening, neck veins
popping; he inhaled deeply an d bent down to grip the tree.
In one quick movement, he stood tall, lifting the tree to his
chest. He regripped and pressed the tree overhead, not
once, not twice, not three, but four times. By the third lift,
the whole crowd was chanting, “MR. DUDE! MR. D UDE!”

Level R Reader
With a Viking yawp, Mr. Dude slammed the tree to the

ground, roaring even louder than the audience was
cheering.
After the medal ceremony, the athletes and crowd

dispersed. Scottie and Timmy slipped under the barrier and
raced across the floor to the tree. Scottie grabbed on to
the handles but could not budge the tree.
He threw back his head and mimicked Mr. Dude’s victory

cry, roaring loudly.
“Not like that,” Timmy said. “Mr. Dude sounds more like this.”
Timmy spread his legs apart, took a big b reath, and . . .
“ROOAAARRR!”
Both boys spun around as Mr. Dude

walked onto the platform, grinning. He
was wearing a suit and looked
smaller up -close.
Timmy and Scottie froze.
“Did you boys like the competition?” Mr.

Dude asked.

Level R Reader
Timmy added, “Yes Sir, Mr. Dude.” Then he blurted out,

“Could we have your autograph?” Timmy handed Mr. Dude
the broken chair leg.
Mr. Dude shook his head and laughed as he signed it. “I

apologize for getting angry and breaking the chair. I am
too competitive sometimes.”
Timmy asked, “Do you yell and break chairs at home too?”
He was picturing Mr. Dude’s house being full of shattered
furniture.
“No, never,” Mr. Dude replied softly. He stroked his hairy

arms and bearded face. Self-control is important. Do you
know what I do for a living?”
Both boys shrugged.
“I’m a preschool teacher. The kids have nicknamed me Kitty

Kat.”
Timmie laughed. “Sweet! Can you please write that after

Mr. Dude on the chair leg?”

Level R Reader
Mr. Dude, the Strongman (exercises)
1. Multiple Choice
What does Mr. Dude do after winning an event ?
a. Roar like a grizzly bear

b. Yeehaw like a cowboy
c. Howl like a wolf
d. Yawp like Viking
How many events are in the competition?
a. 5
b. 4
c. 2
d. 3
How many pounds are the tractor tires from the first
event?
a. 800 pounds
b. 600 pounds
c. 750 pounds
d. 1,000 pounds

Level R Reader
2. Short Answer
a. How did Mr. Dude get his nickname?
________________________________________________________
b. How many times did Albert lift the tree? How many
times did Mr. Dude?
________________________________________________________
c. What did Mr. Dude break, and why did he break

it?
________________________________________________________
3. There is the Tire Flip, the Farmers’ Walk, the Keg Toss
and the Tree Lift. Write your ideas for two other
Strongman events?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Level R Reader
Mr. Dude, the Strongman (answers)
1. Multiple Choice
What does Mr. Dude do after winning an event?
d. Yawp like Viking
How many events are in the competition?
b. Four
How many pounds are the tractor tires from the first
event?
a. 800 pounds
2. Short Answer
a. From spectators say ing “Mr. Dude…” after his feats

of strength and power.
b. Albert lifts the tree twice and Mr. Dude four times.
c. Mr. Dude broke the chair becaus e he got angry.
3. Answers may vary.

Level R Reader
gymnast routines technique

vault diligent demeanor
Nadia’s Perfect Ten
When Nadia Comăneci was in grade school, she did

cartwheels during recess. Over and over again she tumbled;
front flip, backflip, somersault, back handspring. She had no
idea that ten years later, in 1976, she would make history at
the Olympic Games.
Nadia was a very active and energetic child, and Nadia’s

mother enrolled her in gymnastics at the age of five. When
Nadia was seven, she began training with Romanian
gymnastics coach, Béla Károlyi, who had seen her
cartwheeling across the schoolyard. He recognized her
talent at once and recruited her to join his new gymnastics
school.

Level R Reader
Beam, floor, bars, vault; these four events becam e Nadia’s

primary focus as she trained. Beam took balance and grace
to turn and flip on the narrow ledge. Floor took energy and
spunk to tumble and dance to the music. Bars took strength
and fearlessness to fly and
spin around the two
uneven bars. Vault to ok
power and control to flip
and twist off the platform.
Each skill required precision, flare, and grit. And, of course,

the perfect landing; no falling, no wobbling, no hopping.
Gymnasts refer to solid dismounts as “Sticking the landing.”
Training was hard, but Nadia loved it. The gym was her
sanctuary, and she spent hours there every day improving
her technique. When Bela asked her team to do five beam
routines, Nadia did seven. When she learned a new skill, she
thought about how she could change it to ma ke it a little
bit better, adding what she called the “Nadia touch.”
After a few years of diligent training, at age 10, Nadia was

ready for competition. She began touring throughout her
home country, Romania, amazing audiences with her
original routines, difficult tricks, and cool demeanor.

Level R Reader
The 1976 Olympics in Montreal was to be the biggest

competition of Nadia’s life. At the young age of fourteen,
she made history and forever changed the sport of
gymnastics.
Nadia was proud to represent Romania, wearin g her white

long-sleeved leotards with red, yellow, and blue side -stripes.
When the scoreboard lit up with “073,” it was Nadia’s turn
to compete on the uneven bars.
In competitions, gymnasts receive a score out of ten after

each of their routines. When t he judges have decided on
their scores, the numbers are shown on a board so the
audience, coaches, and gymnasts can
see what each gy mnast receives. The
best score any gymnast had ever
received was 9.95.
Nadia saluted the judges and took a

deep breath to steady herself before
beginning her routine. For 23 seconds,
Nadia twisted, flipped, and swung, flying back and forth
between the two bars. She felt a sense of pride and relief as
she nailed her most difficult twist near the beginning, but
she did not let herself relax. Béla always told his gymnasts
they could not relax until their final landing.

Level R Reader
Highly focused, Nadia kept her arms and legs straight, her
toes pointed, and stuck the landing solidly. She saluted the
judges one final time and paused to wave to the cheering
audience.
As Nadia prepared for her next event, beam, the crowd

began to murmur, the voices blending into a loud rumble
that rippled across the arena. Nadia looked around,
confused by the noise. She looked at the board, which read
“1.00.” Nadia knew her routine had been good. Surely it
deserved higher than a 1.00?
A teammate rushed to Nadia’s side. “I think it’s a ten!”
Moments later, the announcers confirmed the score. For the

first time in history, a perfect ten had been earned at the
Olympics. Not knowing a ten was possible, the scoreboard
technician had programmed the board to read only as high
as a 9.95, three rather than four
digits. When the ten was entered
into the computer, the closest the
scoreboard could show was 1.00.
Cheers erup ted throughout the

arena. At the age of 14, Nadia Comăneci had become the
first person to score a perfect ten at the Olympics.

Level R Reader
During those Olympic games in Montreal, Nadia achieved

six more perfect tens, winning three gold medals and the
top all-around title. She now lives in the United States and
continues to be involved with the Olympics, the Special
Olympics and non-profit agencies supporting children in
Romania.

Level R Reader
Nadia’s Perfect Ten (exercises)
1. Multiple Choice
Where did Béla Károlyi see Nadia doing cartwheels?
a. at the store
b. at a gym
c. at her school
d. Disneyland
How long was Nadia’s routine on the uneven bars?
a. three seconds
b. 23 seconds
c. 100 seconds
d. 23 hours
What was Nadia’s score at the Olympic on the uneven

bars?
a. 9.9
b. 5.0
c. 1.0
d. 10.0

Level R Reader
What country did Nadia come from ?
a. USA
b. China
c. Romania
d. Bulgaria
2. Fill in the blank.
a. During her training, Nadia always looked for ways

to make her skills a little better, which she called
__________________.
b. Bars, __________________, floor, and vault are the four

events female gy mnasts compete in.
c. Nadia Comăneci became the __________________

person to score a perfect ten.
d. At the end of a routine, it is important for

__________________ to __________________ the landing.
3. Short Answer
Nadia’s gy mnastic routines had to be perfect to score

a 10. What is something you’d like to “get a 10” in?
_____________________________________________________________

Level R Reader
Nadia’s Perfect Ten (answers)
1. Multiple Choice
c. at her school
a. 23 seconds
c. 1.0
c. Romania
2. Fill in the blank.
a. During her training, Nadia always looked for ways

to make her skills a little better, which she called
the “Nadia Touch”.
b. Bars, beam, floor, and vault are the four events

female gymnasts compete in.
c. Nadia Comăneci became the first person to score

a perfect ten.
d. At the end of a routine, it is important for gy mnasts

to stick the landing.
3. Short Answer
Nadia’s gy mnastic routines had to be perfect to score

a 10. What is something you’d like to “get a 10” in?
Answers may vary.

Level R Reader
studio signature microphones

genre orchestra autograph
Signature Music
“I like your Beatles sweatshirt,” Uncle Ralph said, looking at

Charlotte in the rearview mirror.
“I love their music," replied Charlotte. “Do you think that I

can get a famous musician to sign my book ?” she asked,
holding up her black notebook. “Will Yanna Lanna be at
your studio? Everyone is talking about her new video. She is
so cool, and she wears wild makeup.”
“Yanna Banana?” Uncle Ralph joke d, winking in the mirror

as he parked the car. “I’ve never
heard of her. Any way, don’t worry
about getting autographs; just
enjoy the music.”
Charlotte’s uncle was a music

producer at a recording studio in Los Angeles. He recorded
songs written by musicia ns from all around the world. He
worked with singers and musicians who played the piano,
electric guitar, bass, acoustic guitar, and drums.

Level R Reader
The big glass doors swooshed open, leading them into a

huge foyer. The walls had black and white posters of old -
fashioned looking men with sheets of music behind their
heads. Charlotte read their names out loud: Mozart,
Beethoven, Bach, and Brahms.
“Those are classical composers,” Uncle Ralph said.
“Their music looks complicated,” Charlotte said. She could

see that each page of sheet music had lines for multiple
instruments.
They walked into Ralph’s studio. Charlotte was disappointed

not to see anyone else there. Not even Gurp the Burp, who
had made that burping song video with over ten million
views. She would love to have his autograph.
The studio was filled with instruments, microphones, and

cables. “Make yourself comfortable, and we’ll listen to
some classical music first; it’s my favorite genre of music,”
Uncle Ralph said, as Charlotte settled into a comfy cha ir.
“What is a genre?”
Charlotte asked.

Level R Reader
“A genre is a fancy word for a category of music,” Uncle

Ralph explained. “For example, classical music and rock are
different genres. They are played with different instruments,
they sound different, and they make you feel differently.”
Uncle sat down in front of a big panel of switches, dials and

lights. “This is my sound board,” he said. “This is where the
magic happens.” Suddenly, music poured out of the
speakers. I t was the kind of music ballerinas danced to.
“This is a full orchestra with over 100 instruments being

played,” Uncle Ralph said. “Beethoven wrote this piece,
called 'Moonlight Sonata', over 200 years ago.” He smiled at
Charlotte. “Classical music is the finest music ever made.”
Charlotte was not sure if classical music

was really that fa ntastic. It reminded her of
the scratchy, shrieky violin sounds at
her cousin’s violin recital.
“It’s Rock’n Roll time,” Uncle Ralph

said, moving some switches on his
soundboard.
“The Beatles!” Charlotte said, immediately recognizing the

song and singing along. “She loves you, yeah, yeah,
yeah…”

Level R Reader
“How about some hip hop next?” Uncle Ralph said, grinning.
“It’s all about the beat and the rhythm.” Uncle Ralph
clapped along to the beat. The music was loud and fast,
but it was hard to make out the words.
The next genre was jazz, which was smooth and relaxing,
like in fancy hotel elevators. “Jazz is the soul of music,”
Uncle Ralph said. Charlotte closed her eyes and swayed to
the music.
Folk, bluegrass, and country all sounded similar to Charlotte.

She laughed out loud when her uncle played some rap. The
singer was talking so fast.
As the rap song faded away, there was a

knock on the door. Charlotte stood
up and grabbed her notebook.
Could it be Yanna Lanna? Gurp
the Burp? She was disappointed
when an elderly gentleman walked into
the studio.
“Hey, Ralph, nice to see you,” the man said in a funny

accent. He noticed Charlotte and said, “Who is this girl with
a notebook, and why is she wearing such an ugly shirt? Who
are the Beatles?”

Level R Reader
Charlotte felt her face heating up. She looked at Uncle

Ralph, but he was laughing. Crossing her arms in front of
her, she replied, “I’m Charlotte, and the Beatles were a rock
band that were really huge a long time ago. I brought my
notepad in case somebody famous was here, so I could get
their autograph.”
“Well, I’ll sign it for you,” the man said. “Who knows? Maybe
I’ll be famous one day.” Taking the notebook, he thought
for a minute, then wrote something. He handed it back to
Charlotte, waved to Ralph and left.
“I wanted an autograph of someone who is famous, not just

some random guy,” Charlotte complained. She looked at
her notebook. She felt her face get even redder.
For Charlotte:
From a musician who hopes to one day be famous!
Paul McCartney

Level R Reader
Signature Music (exercises)
1. Multiple Choice
What is the job of Charlotte’s uncle ?
a. He is a famous singer.
b. He is a music producer.
c. He is one of the Beatles.
d. He is a guitarist.
Where does Charlotte’s uncle take her?
a. to a Beatle’s concert
b. to a school field trip
c. to his recording studio
d. to a music audition
What does Charlotte’s uncle want to show her ?
a. how to play different instruments

b. how to get autographs
c. how to operate a sound board
d. how to recognize different genres of music

Level R Reader
Using words from the story, finish these sentences:
a. Charlotte’s uncle recorded musicians who played

keyboards, ________ __________, bass, acoustic
guitars and drums.
b. Classical sheet music has lines for multiple,

__________________.
c. Some classical composers are: Mozart,

__________________, Bach, and Brahms.
d. Charlotte’s uncle told her that a genre is just a

fancy word for a __________________ of music.
e. Uncle Ralph called __________________ music the

“soul” of music.
3. Can you list 7 of the genres of music Charlotte’s uncle

taught her?
a. ____________________________
b. ____________________________
c. ____________________________

Level R Reader
d. ____________________________
e. ____________________________
f. ____________________________
g. ____________________________
4. Is there someone famous you would like to meet? Who

is it and what would you ask them?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Level R Reader
Signature Music (answers)
1. Multiple Choice
b. He is a m usic pro ducer.

c. to his recording studio
d. how to recognize different genres of music
Using words from the story , f in ish these sentences:
a. Charlotte’s uncle recorded musicians who played

keyboards, electric guitars, bass, acoustic guitars and
drum s.
b. Classical sheet music has lines for m ultiple in struments .
c. Some classical composers are : Mozart, Beethoven , Bach,

and Brahms.
d. Charlotte’s uncle told her that a genre is just a fan cy

word for a category of music.
e. Uncle Ralph called jazz music the “soul” of music.
3. Can you list 7 of the genres of music Charlotte’s uncle taught

her?
There are 9 options. Any of these wil l count: classic al, ro ck,
blues, jazz, h ip hop, folk, bluegrass, country , rap.
4. Is there someone famous you would like to meet? Who is it and

what would you ask them?
Answers may vary .

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Introduction & Tips ............................................................................................................... 1

List of Vocabulary Words .................................................................................................... 3

Stories & Exercises:

Velocity Viper .............................................................................................................................. 4

Crater of Diamonds and Other Things....................................................................................... 13

A Perfect Gift for Grandpa ......................................................................................................... 22

The Three Branches of the Treehouse Society ......................................................................... 30

Telephones, Bananas and a Grand Exhibition .......................................................................... 39

Sawyer and the Talking Rabbit ................................................................................................. 47

Katherine, Who Loved to Count ................................................................................................ 56

Mr. Dude, the Strongman. ......................................................................................................... 63

Nadia’s Perfect Ten................................................................................................................... 71

Signature Music ........................................................................................................................ 79

More from K5 Learning ....................................................................................................... 88

www.k5learning.com © K5 Learning 2020

Introduction & Tips

K5 Learning provides thousands of free worksheets and affordable workbooks for

We work with award-winning teachers to create materials in support of independent

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Some tips on using our leveled readers

 Ask older students to look up words they don’t know in a dictionary.

 Monitor your student’s progress and adjust reading levels as needed.

 Keep the reading fun!

Other books in this series

Questions & Feedback

www.k5learning.com © K5 Learning 2020 2

List of Vocabulary Words

acceleration analyzing arrowhead autograph barbaric

bushel cacophony calculation centennial clothoid

competition congress constitution contagious contraptions

conversation cribbage demeanor diamonds dietary

diligent elegant emerged excavate executive

exhibition genre geometry gymnast hyperbole

inappropriate inhaled intervened judicial legislative

loop mathematics megaphone microphones mining

mission nickname orchestra pressures routines

scrabble signature society squirming studio

swallowed technique trajectory vault vegetarianism

veins velocity victorious viper weighted

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viper velocity acceleration

“It looks higher than a mountain,” Charlie said nervously. “A

“Does it go as fast as a rocket?” Charlie asked. “Maybe we

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“Probably not that fast,” Dad said. “Roller coasters are

Dad nodded and pointed to a high point of the track. “See

As he pointed at the loop, the train of cars zipped into it,

Charlie swallowed hard.

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“When they first designed roller coaster loops, they built

“Sure,” Charlie said, not really understanding.

The roller coaster attendant waved them

“Near the end of the ride there’s a series of

Charlie gripped the safety bar even tighter.

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The roller coaster attendant pushed the bright green

“Hey, Dad,” Charlie said, looking all around. “The roller

Dad swallowed hard and looked at the ground far below as

“Their venom comes through their hollow fangs, and how

Dad gripped the safety bar tightly with bo th hands.

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The _______ - _ hills.