Out of School, Forced to Work

Which is a central idea of the article?

• The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 1.1 million people worldwide.

• In some countries where schools are closed, children are taking jobs to help support their struggling families.

• Aid groups have been working to improve sanitation and access to health care.

• In India, the pandemic has disrupted workplace inspections that prevent illegal child labor.

Which detail best supports that central idea?

• India formally bans kids under age 14 from working in most situations.

• Some parents say they would not be able to afford food without their children’s pay.

• In recent years, school attendance and literacy have improved around the world.

• An 11-year-old boy named Rahul dreams of becoming a doctor.

How were school closures last spring in the United States different from those in India?

• They were not related to the pandemic.

• They affected only high school students.

• They were mostly temporary, with many schools resuming online or in person.

• They were enforced on a national level.

How does poverty make kids more likely to end up as child laborers?

• Families without enough money to survive may need their children to work to afford food.

• Kids often earn more money than adults, so struggling families may push them to take jobs.

• Families with enough money may encourage kids to take after-school jobs.

• Countries may try to get more kids in school.

How many child laborers are there worldwide?

• 100,000

• 24 million

• 152 million

• 1.6 billion

The article describes the work of many child laborers as “hazardous.” What is the best definition of that word?

• challenging

• dangerous

• high-paying

• safe

Why does Mumtaz, 12, say he may not be able to return to school after it reopens?

• He worries he will need to keep working to pay off his family’s debts.

• He fears that the Indian army will stop hiring new people.

• He likes his job working on a construction site.

• He hopes his parents will get high-paying jobs

Why might the authors have decided to focus on the country of India?

• India bans most kids under 14 from working.

• India is the only nation where child labor exists.

• India has built a network of shelters for children.

• India has more students out of school than any other country.

What does the “School Closures” map show?

• the number of kids out of school in the U.S.

• the city in India where Rahul lives

• the countries with the most child laborers

• the countries where schools are closed or partially closed because of Covid-19

Information about how India conducts workplace inspections to prevent child labor would best fit in which section of the article?

• “Closed Schools”

• “Trying to Survive”

• “Dangerous Jobs”

• “Empty Classrooms”