Problem: John wanted to have a birthday party for his son, Mike. John and his wife Sara knew that their son loved clowns, as did their daughter Jane. So they looked up a place to have a clown come to his birthday party. When the clown arrived, ten of Mikes friends showed up to watch the show. His parents had sent out 12 invites, thinking 6 or 8 kids would come. The clown started the show by squirting some water from a flower into John's face. This caused John's face to turn red. After the show, when everyone had left, it was up to John and Sara to clean up after the party. There was food everywhere; they had had salad and there was lettuce on the ground. Later that evening it was dinnertime and the family had to choose what to eat. The choices were order a pizza, make hamburgers, go get fried chicken or make noodles. Since it was Mike's birthday they let him choose. He really wanted pizza so they called up Pizza Palace to place their order. When the pizza arrived it did not come in a square box like most pizzas. Instead it was in a round box that no one had ever seen. John gave everybody a slice and then placed Mike in his lap to eat dinner.
1. Who wanted to throw a party?
2. for who?
3. what is his name?
4. what is mike's mother's name?
5. What does Mike love?
6. and who else did?
7. Who was she to Mike?
8. How many friends came over to the celebration?
9. How many were invited?
10. how many did they think would make it?
11. what did the clown do first?
12. then what happened?
13. where did the water come from?
14. Who had to tidy up afterwards?
15. What did John ask for for dinner?
16. What were there other options?
17. would they have had to make the friend chicken?
18. What shape was the container for the pizza?
19. where did Mike sit to have his meal?
Answer: 1. John
2. his son
3. Mike
4. Sara
5. clowns
6. Jane.
7. his sister
8. ten
9. 12
10. 6 or 8 kids
11. squirted water into John's face
12. his face turned red
13. a flower
14. John and Sara
15. pizza
16. hamburgers, fried chicken, or noodles
17. no
18. unknown
19. In John's lap

Problem: In December,2010,many American newspapers publish a list of the best books of the year. Freedom by Jonathan Franzen is one of the most repeatedly praised books on this year's list of favorites. It tells about the ups and downs of the Berglund family over many years. Mr.Franzen fills the book with sharp observations about American politics, culture and society.

Jennifer Egan's book A Visit from the Goon Squad takes place in 13 chapters over 40 years. The story moves back and forth in time,from different viewpoints. One main character is former rock musician Bennie Salazar who works for a record company. The other main character is a troubled young woman named Sasha who works for Bennie. The reader learns about their pasts and those of their friends.

The main character in The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman is a failing English Language newspaper published in Rome,Italy. Each chapter of the book tells about a reporter or editor working for this paper. Their stories are filled with intelligence and great personality.

Two of the most popular nonfiction books of 2010 were about rock and roll stars. Just Kids is by rock singer Patti Smith. It tells about her friendship with the artist Robert Mapplethorpe in the 1960s and 1970s before they became famous. Life is the autobiography of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. It is an honest and exciting look at the development of rock and roll and the wild times this famous band has experienced.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand tells about a man named Louis Zamperini. She tells about his extraordinary survival story after his plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean during Would War Two.

Stacy Schiff has received great praise for her book Cleopatra: A Life. It tells about one of the most misrepresented and famous women in his story, Cleopatra. She ruled ancient Egypt about 2,000 years ago. One critic said Ms. Schiff has brought Cleopatra to life again by unearthing her story from centuries of lies.
1. In Dec 2010, what was the name of one of the most repeatedly praised books on the favorites list?
2. Who wrote A Visit from the Goon Squad?
3. What family does Freedom feature?
4. And who is the author of the Berglund family's story?
5. Patti Smith, which nonfiction title did she write?
6. Just Kids told about Patti Smith's friendship with which artist?
7. What kind of nonfiction title did Keith Richards write?
8. Who wrote the book about Louis Zamperini?
9. And what was the title of Miss Hillenbrand's novel?
10. During what major event was Unbroken set?
11. Who is touted as one of the most misrepresented and famous women in history?
12. And how long ago did she rule ancient Egypt?
Answer: 1. A Visit from the Goon Squad
2. Jennifer Egan
3. The Berglund family
4. Jonathan Franzen
5. Just Kids
6. Robert Mapplethorpe
7. autobiography
8. Laura Hillenbrand
9. Unbroken
10. WWII
11. Cleopatra
12. about 2,000 years ago

Problem: The crowd cheered and cheered. The man with the horn waved and smiled his great, happy smile."More! More!"cried the crowd. And Louis Satchmo Armstrong took his horn and began to play again. Here he was inprefix = st1 /England. Now a famous man, he was rich. He knew many important people. Wherever he went, people knew his name. They wanted to hear his music. As Louis played the sad, slow songs, he thought of his home inNew Orleans. He lived there as a boy. How many years ago it was? It was a busy, exciting city. But Louis' family was very poor. He went to work to help his mother. He also went to school. One of Louis' teachers asked him to be in the school band"This horn is yours until you leave our school,"his teacher said. Louis' music was jazz and he loved it. He remembered all the music he heard. He didn't learn to read music until he was a man.

When he left school, he played in many bands. He loved his work and people loved him. They knew he had a wonderful talent. Louis played on the boats that sailed up and down the river. He played in little towns and in big cities. Satchmo's horn had as many sounds as ten horns-sometimes slow and sweet; sometimes fast and hot, high and low. His music was always strong and exciting."He does make wonderful music,"said the man who listened happily."Yes,"said another man,"he makes that horn speak."Then the music jazz as I can play. I thought jazz was my music, but now I understand it is ours. Isn't it beautiful how music brings us together!"
1. Did he play in a lot of bands after leaving school?
2. Did he enjoy playing?
3. Did people enjoy listening to him play?
4. What type of talent did they know he had?
5. Did he play on airplanes?
6. What did he play on?
7. Were they on the ocean?
8. Did he play in little towns?
9. What about big cities?
Answer:
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. a wonderful talent.
5. No
6. Louis played on boats
7. No the river.
8. Yes
9. Yes