LA Sixth grade H.2 Read about famous places

What is the text mainly about?

• It is about how the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is different from the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.

• It is about how Maya Lin's feelings about the Vietnam War influenced the design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

• It is about the creation of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the experiences that people have there.

• It is about the well-known architects and city planners who designed and built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Review paragraph 2.

In 1979, Vietnam veterans Jan Scruggs and Robert Doubek started the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF). They wanted to create a memorial to honor those who had fought in the war and to provide a space for Americans to grieve and heal. The memorial design was chosen through a contest. The contest rules stated that the designs should not contain political statements and that they should include the names of all Americans who had died in the war or remained missing. The judges were well-known architects, city planners, and other professionals. Designs were submitted "blindly," meaning that the judges didn't know who the designers were. To many people's surprise, the winner of the contest was a twenty-one year old student named Maya Lin. At the time, Lin was still studying architecture and was not yet a professional designer.

Based on the text, why did Scruggs and Doubek want to build a memorial?

• They wanted to express their disagreement with America's military actions in Vietnam.

• They wanted to remember men and women from around the world who perform public service.

• They wanted to honor Americans who served in Vietnam and create a space for healing.

• They wanted to show their gratitude for those who supported veterans returning from Vietnam.

Review paragraph 3.

At first glance, Lin's design seemed simple: it was a V-shaped wall made of smooth, dark granite, inscribed with the name of every American who had died or gone missing in the war. Lin wanted the memorial to be a symbol of the great loss of life during the war. She also envisioned a place where people could come to remember, reflect, and feel a sense of peace.

Based on clues in the text, why might Maya Lin have designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to look like a gash in the earth?

• To symbolize the need to bury and forget the painful memories of the war.

• To symbolize the environmental destruction that occurred as a result of the war.

• To symbolize the strength and passion of the soldiers who fought in the war.

• To symbolize the pain and sadness of those who lost loved ones during the war.

Look at the word in bold in paragraph 6.

Visiting the wall can be an experience filled with deep emotions. This is true for people who have a personal connection to the Vietnam War and for those who do not. The mood at the wall is often somber. As visitors read the names of those who died, they can see their own faces reflected in the granite. Some people cry. Others pray. Visitors often leave items at the wall, such as flags, photos, flowers, military dog tags, and combat boots. Creating rubbings is another common ritual. Visitors place a piece of paper over a name on the wall and use a pencil or crayon to produce a copy of the name. Many people who lost friends or family members in the war say these rituals help with their healing process. Maya Lin's simple but stunning memorial has proved to be a powerful place to remember, grieve, and heal.

What is the meaning of somber as used in the text?

• distant

• serious

• confused

• regular

Review the text.

Read the following incomplete summary of the text. Which is the best sentence to add in order to create a more complete summary?

The Vietnam Memorial Wall was created to provide a place for people to honor those who served in the Vietnam War.

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Visiting the wall and reading the names of the Americans who died in the war or were missing in action can be an emotional but healing experience.

• The wall is the most striking monument in Washington, D.C.

• The wall depicts an image of three servicemen who died during the war.

• The wall was designed by an architecture student named Maya Lin.

• The height of the wall ranges from eight inches to ten feet.

What is the text mainly about?

• It is about the Ganges, which used to be polluted but is now a clean, restored waterway.

• It is about the Ganges, a river that runs through much of the country of India.

• It is about Varanasi, which used to be a religious center but is now known for its silk products.

• It is about Varanasi, a city on a sacred river that is visited by many pilgrims each year.

Review paragraph 5.

All along the banks of the Ganges, concrete and stone staircases, called ghats, lead down to the river. There are more than eighty of these staircases in Varanasi, stretching over several miles. From the base of the ghats, pilgrims release floating oil lamps and marigold flowers into the river. Some pilgrims bathe in the river while others drink its water. Boats of all shapes and sizes launch from the ghats and take visitors along the Ganges. On special "burning ghats," the dead are publicly cremated, and their ashes are scattered in the river. Around these ghats, thick smoke often fills the air.

Based on the text, what is true about the ghats in Varanasi? Select all that apply.

• The ghats are spread over several miles along the Ganges.

• The ghats are famous for their hotels and restaurants.

• Pilgrims pray at one main ghat along the Ganges.

• Pilgrims perform ritual ceremonies at the ghats.

Review paragraphs 5 and 6.

All along the banks of the Ganges, concrete and stone staircases, called ghats, lead down to the river. There are more than eighty of these staircases in Varanasi, stretching over several miles. From the base of the ghats, pilgrims release floating oil lamps and marigold flowers into the river. Some pilgrims bathe in the river while others drink its water. Boats of all shapes and sizes launch from the ghats and take visitors along the Ganges. On special "burning ghats," the dead are publicly cremated, and their ashes are scattered in the river. Around these ghats, thick smoke often fills the air.

While the Ganges is a symbol of purity, near Varanasi the river is anything but clean. Its pollution endangers the well-being of the millions of people who rely on it. Untreated sewage, or waste water, is the main source of the river's pollution. This sewage makes many people sick each year. For years, India has been committed to a far-reaching program to clean up the river. Removing pollution and rerouting waste water will take time, but there is hope that India's continued efforts will someday result in a clean Ganges for the people of Varanasi and all of its visitors.

Based on clues in the text, which statement is probably true?

• Tour guides believe that boats should not be allowed on the Ganges.

• Religious leaders think the city should charge pilgrims to visit the ghats.

• Local merchants support banning pilgrims from visiting the ghats.

• Health experts discourage pilgrims from drinking from the Ganges.

Look at the word in bold in paragraph 6.

While the Ganges is a symbol of purity, near Varanasi the river is anything but clean. Its pollution endangers the well-being of the millions of people who rely on it. Untreated sewage, or waste water, is the main source of the river's pollution. This sewage makes many people sick each year. For years, India has been committed to a far-reaching program to clean up the river. Removing pollution and rerouting waste water will take time, but there is hope that India's continued efforts will someday result in a clean Ganges for the people of Varanasi and all of its visitors.

What is the meaning of endangers as used in the text?

• decreases possible problems

• creates waste water

• puts people at risk

• makes people alert

Review the text.Read the following incomplete summary of the text. Which is the best sentence to add in order to create a more complete summary?

An old city with a rich religious history, Varanasi, India, is located on the Ganges River. Historic ghats, or stairways, lead down to the river from the city.

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The Ganges is extremely polluted, but work is underway to clean it up.

• Only the most religious people are allowed to pray at the Ganges.

• Each year, millions of pilgrims come to this sacred river to perform ritual ceremonies.

• The Ganges is the most interesting and awe-inspiring river to visit in India.

• According to Hindu legend, the river came from a knot in Lord Shiva's hair.