On the Battlefield and at Home

​Main idea:

The First "Newspaper" War

The Crimean War was fought in the 1850s between Russia on one side and Britain, France, and Turkey on the other. Although it was a major conflict, it is perhaps best remembered as the first war in which journalists were present on the battlefield. News dispatches from William Howard Russell, a reporter for the Times of London, exposed military blunders and revealed the filthy conditions that existed in military hospitals and camps. Photographers such as James Robertson and Roger Fenton made hundreds of photographs of soldiers on the battlefield. These news reports and photographs provided an uncensored look at life on the frontlines. The Crimean War marked the first time in history that people back home were exposed to the horrors of war.

Multiple Choice

The main idea of the passage is

• The Crimean War was the first war to be documented for civilians.

• The Crimean War was fought between the Russians and the British, French, and Turkish.

​Main idea:

What's Beneath Your Plane?

As Shane Loeffler, a geology student at the University of Minnesota, was flying home from Europe, he looked down at the landscape and began to wonder what he was flying over. He realized that a plane flight would be a good opportunity for people to learn about the geological features of the earth below them. As a result of this experience, with a grant from the National Science Foundation, he created a free app called Flyover Country. The app provides users with information on natural formations, man-made features like dams, and even where fossils can be found. The features are pinpointed on a map that corresponds to the landscape below the plane.

Multiple Choice

The main idea of the passage is

• Shane Loeffler's experience in a plane led him to create an app that would provide information to flyers about the land below them.

• Shane Loeffler's plane flight home from Europe led him to think about the geological features of the land below him.

​Main idea:

Supporting Biliteracy

There are many good reasons to learn a second language. A second language can improve your understanding of your native language, open the door to new job opportunities, and help you learn about other cultures. Yet American students are less likely than European students to study foreign languages in school. To address this gap, several states have begun doing more to encourage biliteracy—the ability to read and write in two languages. California, New York, and Illinois are among the states that have passed laws establishing a state "Seal of Biliteracy." A Seal of Biliteracy shows that a student has achieved proficiency in a second language. Supporters of the seals say that they honor the importance of second-language learning. The seals also provide colleges and future employers with evidence of students' abilities.

Multiple Choice

The main idea of the passage is

• Fewer American students than European students learn a second language, so some states are promoting the study of foreign languages.

• Although second-language learning is important, students in the US are less likely than those in Europe to learn a second language.