How can you tell if Christmas is coming? One of the first signs is seeing all the holiday decorations displayed on store racks. This usually happens right after Halloween. Christmas music is being played everywhere. The biggest shopping day of the year happens n the Friday after Thanksgiving. All of your favorite Christmas television shows will be on. It's time to put up the lights and the tree!

Based on the paragraph, what is NOT one way to tell if Christmas is coming?

Clement Clark Moore wrote a Christmas poem for his family on Christmas Eve in 1822. A neighbor helped get it published in a New York newspaper in 1823. Soon more newspapers began publishing it. Nearly 200 years later, it is the most famous piece of Christmas writing in history. You probably know it as "The Night Before Christmas."

What is the author's purpose in writing this paragraph?

The weather is getting colder. You're getting thirsty. Will you drink hot chocolate or hot apple cider? They are both delicious and warming. Hot chocolate is made with hot milk, cocoa, sugar, and vanilla. On the other hand, hot apple cider is made with apple cider and cinnamon sticks. This means it is fat-free. Cinnamon also has added health benefits, so hot apple cider is the healthiest choice.

How is this text organized?

The weather is getting colder. You're getting thirsty. Will you drink hot chocolate or hot apple cider? They are both delicious and warming. Hot chocolate is made with hot milk, cocoa, sugar, and vanilla. On the other hand, hot apple cider is made with apple cider and cinnamon sticks. This means it is fat-free. Cinnamon also has added health benefits, so hot apple cider is the healthiest choice.

Based on the paragraph, what is one reason why apple cider is healthier than cocoa?

Cold weather is a problem for pets. It's best to keep a dog or cat indoors. If your pet spends a lot of time outside, he or she needs to have a shelter. It should be large enough to lie down in, but small enough to hold in body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches off the ground. Pets in winter need more foot for energy. Always make sure their water is not frozen.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

Mistletoe was popular at holiday parties in England during the 1700's. There were special rules about its use. First, a young lady might stand under it. Then, any young man who caught her was allowed to give her a kiss on the cheek. After the kiss, the young man had to remove one berry from the mistletoe. When all the berries were finally gone, no more kissing was allowed.

Why was a mistletoe berry sometimes taken off the bunch at a holiday party?

Mistletoe was popular at holiday parties in England during the 1700's. There were special rules about its use. First, a young lady might stand under it. Then, any young man who caught her was allowed to give her a kiss on the cheek. After the kiss, the young man had to remove one berry from the mistletoe. When all the berries were finally gone, no more kissing was allowed.

How did the author organize the this paragraph?

Real Christmas trees lose their needles. This problem can be solved with a little extra work. After getting your tree and before decorating it, place it in a bucket of water outside. This will help the tree "rehydrate" and let the branches settle. Saw off an inch or so at the bottom of the tree. This will help it absorb even more water. When you bring it inside, choose a cool spot away from a heater or fireplace.

Which title best expresses the main idea of this paragraph?

Real Christmas trees lose their needles. This problem can be solved with a little extra work. After getting your tree and before decorating it, place it in a bucket of water outside. This will help the tree "rehydrate" and let the branches settle. Saw off an inch or so at the bottom of the tree. This will help it absorb even more water. When you bring it inside, choose a cool spot away from a heater or fireplace.

What text structure did the author use to organize this paragraph?

Having a real Christmas tree became so popular that a terrible thing happened. The supply of natural trees got very low. As a result, the first Christmas tree farm was started in New Jersey in 1901. Today, about 30 million real trees are sold at Christmas time. Nearly all of those trees come from tree farms. Forests are no longer in danger.

How have Christmas tree farms saved our forests?

Having a real Christmas tree became so popular that a terrible thing happened. The supply of natural trees got very low. As a result, the first Christmas tree farm was started in New Jersey in 1901. Today, about 30 million real trees are sold at Christmas time. Nearly all of those trees come from tree farms. Forests are no longer in danger.

What structure is used to organize this paragraph?

In the popular story and song about a special reindeer, Rudolph was born with a glowing red nose. Because of this, all of Santa's other reindeer made fun of him. He was also left out of group games. One Christmas Eve, a visit from Santa changed everything. Since the winter weather was really bad, Santa asked Rudolph to lead the sleigh with his bright nose. Rudolph has been in front ever since.

Why was Rudolph bullied as a young reindeer?

Real trees and artificial trees are both used at Christmas time. Is one better than the other? People love the smell of a real tree, but needle dropping can make a big mess. With fake trees, people don't have to worry about falling needles or fading colors. An artificial tree can be used for many years. Also, you are saving a small piece of the environment by buying and using a fake tree.

What is one reason given by the author for using an artificial tree?

Christmas time is a time when families enjoy getting together. Some people travel and some stay home. Lots of special holiday decorations are put inside and outside. Christmas songs and stories are heard everywhere. Favorite television cartoons such as "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" are watched over and over again.

Which of the following titles would be the best choice for this text?