Q: It's Sunday. Children don't go to school on Sundays. But Kate gets up early in the morning. "It's my birthday. I'm eight years old today." she thinks, "Where are Dad and Mum? I want to know what they can give me for my birthday." Her father and mother are not at home. They are going shopping. And now they are talking about what to buy for Kate. ---- Dad: How about the doll? It looks nice. I think Kate would like the doll. ---- Mom: I don't think so. She is not a little girl. I think she likes a new dress. Girls often like new dresses very much. ---Dad: But she has a few new dresses and some new blouses. Oh, I think she must be very happy to have a box of colorful pencils and some picture books. Do you think so? ----- Mom: Yes. Let's go over there and buy them.

Answer the following questions:
1. What day is it?
2. What is special about Sundays?
3. What is special about this particular Sunday?
4. Whose birthday?
5. Who is the story about?
6. How old is she?
7. Are her parents home with her?
8. Where are they?
9. Who are they shopping for?
10. Do they agree on what to buy her?
11. What does her dad first want to buy her?
12. Does the mom agree with him?
13. Why not?
14. Why does she want to get her a dress?
15. Does the dad agree?
16. Why not?
17. Do they ever agree on anything?
18. What?
19. Whose idea was that?
20. What time of the day is all this happening?
21. Should they shop earlier next year lol?
A: 1. Sunday.
2. Children don't go to school
3. It's my birthday.
4. my birthday
5. Kate
6. eight years old
7. no
8. Shopping
9. Kate
10. Yes
11. doll
12. No
13. She is not a little girl, she wants a new dress.
14. Girls like dresses.
15. No
16. She has a few new dresses and some new blouses.
17. Yes
18. box of colorful pencils and some picture books
19. Dad
20. early in the morning
21. Yes

Answer the questions at the end based on the text.

The Union Army or Federal Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War, 1861 to 1865. It included the permanent regular army of the United States, which was augmented by massive numbers of temporary units consisting of volunteers as well as conscripts. The Union Army fought and defeated the Confederate Army during the war. At least two and a half million men served in the Union Army; almost all were volunteers. About 360,000 Union soldiers died from all causes; 280,000 were wounded and 200,000 deserted.

When the American Civil War began in April 1861, there were only 16,000 men in the U.S. Army, and of these many Southern officers resigned and joined the Confederate army. The U.S. Army consisted of ten regiments of infantry, four of artillery, two of cavalry, two of dragoons, and three of mounted infantry. The regiments were scattered widely. Of the 197 companies in the army, 179 occupied 79 isolated posts in the West, and the remaining 18 manned garrisons east of the Mississippi River, mostly along the CanadaUnited States border and on the Atlantic coast.

With the Southern slave states declaring secession from the Union, and with this drastic shortage of men in the army, President Abraham Lincoln called on the states to raise a force of 75,000 men for three months to put down the insurrection. Lincoln's call forced the border states to choose sides, and four seceded, making the Confederacy eleven states strong. The war proved to be longer and more extensive than anyone North or South had expected, and on July 22, 1861, Congress authorized a volunteer army of 500,000 men.

1. Name a battle the Federal Army fought in?
2. During what years?
3. How many men were in the army at the beginning of the battle?
4. How many regiments were there?
5. Were they close to each other?
6. How many companies were in the West?
7. What were they occupying?
8. At what location was the rest of the companies?
9. How many were there?
10. What were they guarding?
11. How many men did Lincoln demand?
12. for how long?
13. For what?
14. Did anyone expect the length of the war?
15. When did Congress approve volunteer fighters?
16. Male and female?

Numbered answers:

A: 1. American Civil War,
2. 1861 to 1865
3. At least two and a half million
4. 21
5. no
6. 179
7. isolated posts
8. east of the Mississippi River
9. 18
10. garrisons
11. 75,000
12. three months
13. put down the insurrection
14. no
15. July 22, 1861
16. no

Answer the questions at the end based on the text.

Valentine's Day was coming. Helen felt hurt and lonely because this was her first Valentine's Day after the divorce .

Helen's twelve-year-old son, Jack, looked at his mother, knowing that this was a difficult time for both of them. In order to make his mother happy, he prepared a present, and handed it to her on Valentine's Day.

It was a beautiful gift package .Helen couldn't believe what was happening. She opened it and took out a lovely card and a small box.

"Now," he said, "read the card." It read as follows:

"I know that this isn't easy for you because it has been a hard year for both of us. I know that Valentine's Day is a special day for people in love. I want you to know that I love you. I know that Valentines are supposed to get chocolate. I went to the store today to buy some for you. Luckily, I got the last piece. I told the clerk it was just perfect."

Helen stood there for a moment and looked at her son. Her eyes sparkled in the light as tears formed in each corner. Jack knew he had done the right thing. Slowly she opened the small box, careful not to tear the paper. She would never forget the moment. She found a chocolate heart that was broken into pieces along with a note:

"I am so sorry that Dad left us, Mom. And all you were left with was a broken heart. But I just want you to know we still have each other.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Your son,

Jack"

1. What holiday was coming?
2. Why was Helen sad about Valentine's Day?
3. What did Jack get his mom for Valentine's Day?
4. What was the present made out of?

Numbered answers:

A:
1. Valentine's Day
2. She felt hurt.
3. A present.
4. A card