Reading Inventory 509

Soon the day had faded into evening. The angry sun was gone behind the faraway mountains. The air seemed less dry. A soft, cool breeze made its way through the town. People came to their doors and sat in chairs on their porches.

The temperature became _____ .

• unsafe

• hot

• warm

• nice

Kelly's smile sagged. Folding programs was not a special part. It was plain old ordinary stupid job.

She was _____ .

• mad

• lucky

• sweet

• scared

Carmen knew she had to make up her mind—now. She thought of all the years she had worked and struggled to become a jockey. And she knew that she couldn't throw all that away. Not for Leo—not for anyone.

This decision was _____ .

• silly

• impossible

• important

• shocking

Grandma Soo came into the room. "What is all this yelling about?" "Peter jumped out of the closet and scared me!" Kristina said, pointing at her little brother. "And he didn't hang up his coat or backpack, either." Peter made a face at her. "Tattletale!" "Peter, say you are sorry for scaring your sister," Grandma Soo said.

Kristina and Peter were _____ .

• resting

• climbing

• fighting

• waiting

A toad has bumpy, dry skin. A toad has a round body. A toad lives on land. A toad is usually gray or brown, to blend in with rocks and the ground. A frog has smooth, wet skin. A frog has a long body. A frog lives in or near the water. A frog usually has webbed back feet for swimming.

They are suited to their _____ .

• homes

• jobs

• tails

• clothes

"That would be a big help. I'll give you some money from petty cash." She pulled open another drawer and shook her head in dismay. "Now that's really strange. I know I put a ten-dollar bill in here yesterday. I'm beginning to think that I'm imagining things."

The bill was _____ .

• fake

• folded

• missing

• ripped

On March 3, 1887, Annie moved to Alabama. It would turn out to be the most important day of Helen's life. As a child, Annie had been almost blind herself. Luckily, several operations helped her see again. But Annie never forgot what it was like to be blind. She hoped she would be able to help young Helen. Right away, Annie saw that Helen was a tall, pretty girl. But she also saw that Helen was not happy. She almost never smiled.

Annie's experience would help her _____ Helen.

• assist

• invite

• follow

• please

Dressing quickly, he crept into the dim city streets, anxious to reach the safety of his own room. It was already past midnight and the way was dark and empty. The only sound was his steps. Or was it? He stopped, listening to some vague stirrings. Was he being followed? No, it was only a cold wind gliding through the city.

He was _____ .

• patient

• nervous

• hungry

• bored

I felt around under my bed. I felt some dust and my old baseball mitt and my new bat. But there was one thing I couldn't feel: the plate with the chocolate-covered ants on it. It was _____ .

• missing

• cold

• wet

• broken

: Water comes from the Earth's oceans. You can help the oceans by using less water. Turn off the water faucet every time you brush your teeth. Paper comes from trees. You can help save trees by using paper twice. Write and draw on both sides of paper. Use old newspapers to wrap presents.

These simple steps help people _____ the ocean and trees.

• warn

• protect

• steal

• discover