After a Sad Mother's Day 2020 NewsELA

Leland Stein will head to his 93-year-old mother's senior living facility for Mother's Day, this year. He's bringing flowers and a year's worth of hugs.

"I miss Leland's visits very much," said Sondra Green, his mother. "I'm just very grateful for his presence."

Many moms, grandmothers, and their offspring around the United States will be equally thrilled on Mother's Day since they were forced to hold off on getting together on this special day last year. Health officials have said that wearing a mask and social distancing will help to limit the spread of COVID-19. People who are elderly or have health conditions are at higher risk of having severe cases of COVID-19. This is why many people stayed away or only saw their older relatives and friends at a distance for the last year.

However, now just fewer than half of all Americans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Getting the vaccine decreases the chances of getting COVID-19. It also decreases the chances of someone getting it and passing it on to other people.

Which sentence in the Introduction [paragraphs 1-4] BEST supports the conclusion that Leland Stein and his mother have not seen each other in a while?

• Leland Stein will head to his 93-year-old mother's senior living facility for Mother's Day, this year.

• "I miss Leland's visits very much," said Sondra Green, his mother.

• However, now just fewer than half of all Americans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

• Getting the vaccine decreases the chances of getting COVID-19.

Which sentence from the article shows how Meredith Shear's mother solved the problem of not being able to see her daughter in her group home?

• Meredith has Down syndrome and lives just 15 miles away in a group home in Rockville Centre, New York.

• Babies with Down syndrome are born with 47 chromosomes, which changes the way they grow and develop.

• Shear had to make drive-by visits in the car and wave, rather than their usual twice-a-week visits and weekends home for Meredith.

• They plan a Mother's Day barbecue at the nearby home of Meredith's sister and her family.

Which answer choice accurately characterizes Leland Stein's reaction to being able to visit his mother?

• He is worried about flying.

• He is upset he can only drive by.

• He is looking forward to her cooking.

• He is excited to hug her.

Read the following selection from the article.

"She's been pretty much without family throughout this," Krug said. "I knew as soon as I was able to get the vaccine I would feel more comfortable about flying, but also that I wouldn't be bringing COVID to her or anybody in her community. It's been pretty tough."

WHY did the author include this information about Heather Krug's mother?

• to provide anecdotal evidence about the struggles people have faced staying away from their loved ones

• to establish credibility as a reliable source for health information related to COVID-19

• to compare the experiences of vaccinated individuals with unvaccinated individuals

• to emphasize the importance of social distancing even for people who live in the same household

NewsELA Writing Prompt

Write a short paragraph that explains the central idea of the article. Use at least two details from the article to support your response.