The Game of Soccer

The History

The game of soccer started a very long time ago in another country, England. They named the sport of soccer, “football.” They called this game “football” because the players played the game on and with their feet. In America, we call the sport “soccer.” Although they may call it by different names, many people play the game of soccer all around the world.

The Teams

A soccer game has two teams. Each team has eleven players on the field at a time. One of those players is called the “goalie.” The goalie’s job is to stop the ball from going into the goal. The goalie is the only player that is able to touch the ball with his hands during a soccer game.

The Game

Most soccer games last 90 minutes and there is only one break in the middle of the game. During a soccer game, each team tries to kick the ball into the opposite team’s goal. Unlike many other sports, soccer games can end in a tie, meaning there might not be a winner or a loser after each game because each team has the same score.

What was the main purpose of the text? 

Marine Animals

Marine animals live in the sea. Many animals call the sea home. Some spend all of their time in water while others also live on land.

Dolphins

Dolphins are mammals. They spend all of their time in water. Dolphins are fast swimmers. They have sleek bodies and a strong tail, called a fluke, to help them move quickly through the water.

Dolphins are social animals. They live in groups called pods. Dolphins are very smart. They talk to each other by making whistling and clicking sounds. Dolphin sounds can be heard from very far away.

Dolphins cannot breathe underwater. They must come to the surface to breathe. Dolphins love to jump and play. They like to play with seaweed and ride waves.

Whales

The largest living animal on Earth is the Blue Whale. All whales are mammals. They spend all of their time in the water. Whales have long, round bodies with flippers and a tail. A whale's tail has 2 fins called flukes. It uses its strong tail to help it swim.

Whales can stay underwater for a long time, but they must come to the surface to breathe. Whales have a blowhole on top of their head that they use to breathe air.

Whales are mostly solitary animals and prefer to live alone. Whales communicate through low, deep noises that can be heard from miles away.

Sharks

Sharks are fish. Sharks spend all of their life underwater. Like fish, sharks have gills on the sides of their heads that help them breathe underwater. Sharks have fins and a strong tail to help them steer and swim through the water. Many sharks also have a fin on top of them.

Sharks have very strong senses. Sharks have good eyesight to help them see underwater. They also have an excellent sense of smell. A shark can smell a drop of blood in the ocean from 5 miles away.

Walruses

Walruses live on ice and in cold water. They have a thick layer of fat, called blubber, to help them stay warm. 

Walruses have 2 long tusks, or teeth. They use their tusks to help them dig for food, protect themselves from predators and move around. Walruses have flippers to help them swim in the water and walk on ice. They bark and make loud snorting noises to communicate with other walruses.

Sea Lions

Sea lions got their name from the roaring sound they make. Sea lions also make honking and barking noises. Sea lions like to live in large groups. They are very playful and clever. Sea lions can be trained to do tricks and are often seen in shows at zoos and at the circus.

Sea lions spend their time on land and in water. They have flippers that help them swim in water. When on land they use their flippers to help them walk. Sea lions also have short fur and blubber to help them stay warm in the cool water.

Sea Otters

Sea otters are marine mammals. They use their feet and tails to swim, but spend most of their time floating on their backs on the water. Sea otters even sleep and eat while floating on their backs.

Sea otters do not have blubber. They have thick fur to keep them warm in cold water.

Sea Turtles

The leatherback turtle is the largest turtle in the world. Sea turtles have two sets of flippers that they use to help them swim in the water. Their large, front flippers are very strong and help them move through the water. Their back flippers help them steer. Sea turtles can stay underwater for over an hour before they need to breathe air.

Sea turtles live almost all of their lives in water, however, female sea turtles travel to land to lay eggs. Female sea turtles dig holes in the sand with their flippers to make a nest for their eggs. After it lays eggs, sea turtles return to the sea, leaving their eggs buried on the beach. When baby sea turtles hatch, they crawl towards the water and begin life in the sea.

Why did the author write the text Marine Animals?

Marine Animals

Marine animals live in the sea. Many animals call the sea home. Some spend all of their time in water while others also live on land.

Dolphins

Dolphins are mammals. They spend all of their time in water. Dolphins are fast swimmers. They have sleek bodies and a strong tail, called a fluke, to help them move quickly through the water.

Dolphins are social animals. They live in groups called pods. Dolphins are very smart. They talk to each other by making whistling and clicking sounds. Dolphin sounds can be heard from very far away.

Dolphins cannot breathe underwater. They must come to the surface to breathe. Dolphins love to jump and play. They like to play with seaweed and ride waves.

Whales

The largest living animal on Earth is the Blue Whale. All whales are mammals. They spend all of their time in the water. Whales have long, round bodies with flippers and a tail. A whale's tail has 2 fins called flukes. It uses its strong tail to help it swim.

Whales can stay underwater for a long time, but they must come to the surface to breathe. Whales have a blowhole on top of their head that they use to breathe air.

Whales are mostly solitary animals and prefer to live alone. Whales communicate through low, deep noises that can be heard from miles away.

Sharks

Sharks are fish. Sharks spend all of their life underwater. Like fish, sharks have gills on the sides of their heads that help them breathe underwater. Sharks have fins and a strong tail to help them steer and swim through the water. Many sharks also have a fin on top of them.

Sharks have very strong senses. Sharks have good eyesight to help them see underwater. They also have an excellent sense of smell. A shark can smell a drop of blood in the ocean from 5 miles away.

Walruses

Walruses live on ice and in cold water. They have a thick layer of fat, called blubber, to help them stay warm. 

Walruses have 2 long tusks, or teeth. They use their tusks to help them dig for food, protect themselves from predators and move around. Walruses have flippers to help them swim in the water and walk on ice. They bark and make loud snorting noises to communicate with other walruses.

Sea Lions

Sea lions got their name from the roaring sound they make. Sea lions also make honking and barking noises. Sea lions like to live in large groups. They are very playful and clever. Sea lions can be trained to do tricks and are often seen in shows at zoos and at the circus.

Sea lions spend their time on land and in water. They have flippers that help them swim in water. When on land they use their flippers to help them walk. Sea lions also have short fur and blubber to help them stay warm in the cool water.

Sea Otters

Sea otters are marine mammals. They use their feet and tails to swim, but spend most of their time floating on their backs on the water. Sea otters even sleep and eat while floating on their backs.

Sea otters do not have blubber. They have thick fur to keep them warm in cold water.

Sea Turtles

The leatherback turtle is the largest turtle in the world. Sea turtles have two sets of flippers that they use to help them swim in the water. Their large, front flippers are very strong and help them move through the water. Their back flippers help them steer. Sea turtles can stay underwater for over an hour before they need to breathe air.

Sea turtles live almost all of their lives in water, however, female sea turtles travel to land to lay eggs. Female sea turtles dig holes in the sand with their flippers to make a nest for their eggs. After it lays eggs, sea turtles return to the sea, leaving their eggs buried on the beach. When baby sea turtles hatch, they crawl towards the water and begin life in the sea.

What does the author want to teach the reader?

Dogs are the Best Pet

Dogs are the best pets! Dogs are known as “man’s best friend.” They are loving and happy. They want to be with you. They are there to greet you when you get home and are always excited to see you. They are loyal and will always be there for you.

Dogs are fun. Dogs love to play with you. Dogs love to play with toys and play games. They like to play catch, fetch, tug-of-war, and chase. Dogs are so much fun to play with.

Dogs keep you healthy. Dogs love to go for walks. When you walk your dog you get exercise and fresh air. Exercise and fresh air are important to keeping people healthy and in shape. People who are healthy live longer and are less likely to get sick.

Dogs protect you. Dogs will bark when they hear a strange noise or if they sense danger. They keep you and your family safe when you are home and protect your house when you are away. Dogs are ready to defend and protect you from harm.

Dogs are smart. Dogs know their names and follow directions. Even as puppies, dogs learn the rules and commands quickly. Many dogs can even learn how to do tricks.

Dogs are helpful. Dogs are so smart that many dogs are trained to do important jobs. Some dogs work on farms to help take care of other animals like sheep and cows. Other dogs are used to help people who cannot hear or see or who have a disability. Dogs can sense when someone with an illness is going to get sick and tell them to take their medicine or call for help. Some dogs even work for the police – finding people who are lost or missing and sniffing out criminals.

Dogs keep you company. Dogs love to cuddle and be with you. Dogs love you and want to make you happy. You will never be lonely if you have a dog.

Dogs are the best pet!

Cats are the Best Pet

Cats are the best pets! Cats love to cuddle. They will rub up against your feet or legs to say hello and let you know they love you.

Cats love to play. They love to chase their toys around the house. Cats are happy to play with string or lights – they do not need a lot of toys to be happy. Cats take care of their toys and do not chew them up or destroy them.

Cats take care of themselves. You do not need to take your cat out for walks. Cats will take themselves on adventures around the neighborhood and then bring themselves home. Cats have a litter box that they use to go to the bathroom. You do not have to take them outside and pick up after them. Cats clean themselves. They give themselves baths by licking themselves until they are clean. They smell good and are always clean.

Cats are quiet. They do not bark or make loud noises. Cats make quiet purring sounds when they are happy or meow when they need something like food or water. Cats are even quiet when they play. Cats will not disturb you when you are working or busy.

Cats love to cuddle. Happy cats will cuddle with you or rub against your legs. There is nothing better than a cat’s soft fur keeping your feet warm.

Cats are the best pet!

What is the purpose of text 1 “Dogs are the Best Pet”?

Dogs are the Best Pet

Dogs are the best pets! Dogs are known as “man’s best friend.” They are loving and happy. They want to be with you. They are there to greet you when you get home and are always excited to see you. They are loyal and will always be there for you.

Dogs are fun. Dogs love to play with you. Dogs love to play with toys and play games. They like to play catch, fetch, tug-of-war, and chase. Dogs are so much fun to play with.

Dogs keep you healthy. Dogs love to go for walks. When you walk your dog you get exercise and fresh air. Exercise and fresh air are important to keeping people healthy and in shape. People who are healthy live longer and are less likely to get sick.

Dogs protect you. Dogs will bark when they hear a strange noise or if they sense danger. They keep you and your family safe when you are home and protect your house when you are away. Dogs are ready to defend and protect you from harm.

Dogs are smart. Dogs know their names and follow directions. Even as puppies, dogs learn the rules and commands quickly. Many dogs can even learn how to do tricks.

Dogs are helpful. Dogs are so smart that many dogs are trained to do important jobs. Some dogs work on farms to help take care of other animals like sheep and cows. Other dogs are used to help people who cannot hear or see or who have a disability. Dogs can sense when someone with an illness is going to get sick and tell them to take their medicine or call for help. Some dogs even work for the police – finding people who are lost or missing and sniffing out criminals.

Dogs keep you company. Dogs love to cuddle and be with you. Dogs love you and want to make you happy. You will never be lonely if you have a dog.

Dogs are the best pet!

Cats are the Best Pet

Cats are the best pets! Cats love to cuddle. They will rub up against your feet or legs to say hello and let you know they love you.

Cats love to play. They love to chase their toys around the house. Cats are happy to play with string or lights – they do not need a lot of toys to be happy. Cats take care of their toys and do not chew them up or destroy them.

Cats take care of themselves. You do not need to take your cat out for walks. Cats will take themselves on adventures around the neighborhood and then bring themselves home. Cats have a litter box that they use to go to the bathroom. You do not have to take them outside and pick up after them. Cats clean themselves. They give themselves baths by licking themselves until they are clean. They smell good and are always clean.

Cats are quiet. They do not bark or make loud noises. Cats make quiet purring sounds when they are happy or meow when they need something like food or water. Cats are even quiet when they play. Cats will not disturb you when you are working or busy.

Cats love to cuddle. Happy cats will cuddle with you or rub against your legs. There is nothing better than a cat’s soft fur keeping your feet warm.

Cats are the best pet!

What is the purpose of text 2 “Cats are the Best Pet”?

African Elephants

Elephants are the biggest animals living on land. An adult male elephant can weigh as much as 11,000 pounds and be more than 13 feet tall. The biggest elephants live in Africa. 

Trunk

Elephants have a long trunk. An elephant uses its trunk in many ways. 

An elephant’s trunk is its nose. It uses its trunk to smell and breathe. Elephants also use their trunks like a hand. An elephant can pick up grass and branches with its trunk. It uses its trunk to reach high up and grab food from trees. Elephants are herbivores, which means they only eat plants. Elephants eat fruit, leaves and grass. Adult elephants eat 300-400 pounds of food a day.

Elephants suck up water in their trunks and spray it onto themselves to stay clean. They also use their trunks as snorkels to help them breathe when they are swimming or in deep water. 

Elephants use their trunks to make sounds. Elephants roar, rumble and growl. When there is danger, elephants use their trunks to make a loud horn noise to warn others and scare away predators.

Tusks

African elephants have 2 tusks on either side of their trunk. Elephants use their tusks to dig holes and find food and water. They also use their tusks to carry things and even rest their trunks on their tusks. An elephant’s tusks also help it stay safe. Elephants can use their tusks to battle and protect themselves from enemies.

Ears

Elephants have the largest ears of any animal. Elephants use their ears to hear, stay cool, and show feelings. Elephants flap their ears to cool off and keep insects away.

Wrinkled Skin

Elephants have wrinkled skin. Their skin looks rough and tough but it is very sensitive. Elephants cover their skin in mud and dirt to protect themselves from getting a sunburn and bug bites.

Feet

Just like the rest of its body, an elephant has very large feet. Elephants have pads on the bottom of their feet to protect them and help them walk quietly.

What has a long trunk, two big tusks, big ears and wrinkled skin? It’s an African elephant!

Why did the author write the text?

African Elephants

Elephants are the biggest animals living on land. An adult male elephant can weigh as much as 11,000 pounds and be more than 13 feet tall. The biggest elephants live in Africa. 

Trunk

Elephants have a long trunk. An elephant uses its trunk in many ways. 

An elephant’s trunk is its nose. It uses its trunk to smell and breathe. Elephants also use their trunks like a hand. An elephant can pick up grass and branches with its trunk. It uses its trunk to reach high up and grab food from trees. Elephants are herbivores, which means they only eat plants. Elephants eat fruit, leaves and grass. Adult elephants eat 300-400 pounds of food a day.

Elephants suck up water in their trunks and spray it onto themselves to stay clean. They also use their trunks as snorkels to help them breathe when they are swimming or in deep water. 

Elephants use their trunks to make sounds. Elephants roar, rumble and growl. When there is danger, elephants use their trunks to make a loud horn noise to warn others and scare away predators.

Tusks

African elephants have 2 tusks on either side of their trunk. Elephants use their tusks to dig holes and find food and water. They also use their tusks to carry things and even rest their trunks on their tusks. An elephant’s tusks also help it stay safe. Elephants can use their tusks to battle and protect themselves from enemies.

Ears

Elephants have the largest ears of any animal. Elephants use their ears to hear, stay cool, and show feelings. Elephants flap their ears to cool off and keep insects away.

Wrinkled Skin

Elephants have wrinkled skin. Their skin looks rough and tough but it is very sensitive. Elephants cover their skin in mud and dirt to protect themselves from getting a sunburn and bug bites.

Feet

Just like the rest of its body, an elephant has very large feet. Elephants have pads on the bottom of their feet to protect them and help them walk quietly.

What has a long trunk, two big tusks, big ears and wrinkled skin? It’s an African elephant!

What does the author want the reader to learn?

Dogs at Work

Many people have dogs. Dogs are good friends. They love to play and cuddle. Dogs will keep you company and make you feel better. Dogs will keep you safe and protect you from danger. Dogs are smart. They know their names and can learn cool tricks. Dogs are great pets. But did you know, many dogs have important jobs?

Therapy Dogs

Many dogs work to help people feel better. These dogs are called therapy dogs. Many therapy dogs work in hospitals to keep people happy and comfort people who are sick. Dogs make people feel happy and calm, which can help someone feel better when they are ill.

Some therapy dogs work with kids in schools. Kids can read to dogs and practice their skills to become better readers.

Service Dogs

Some dogs have jobs to help people with disabilities. These dogs are called service dogs. Many people who cannot see or hear have service dogs. Service dogs are trained to help their owners in their everyday lives. Service dogs can help people who cannot see by telling them when it is safe to cross the street and leading their owners so they do not trip or run in to something.

Other service dogs help people who have illnesses. These service dogs are trained to sense when their owner is going to get sick and warn their owner to take medicine or call for help.

Search-and-Rescue Dogs

Search-and-rescue dogs help find people who are lost or trapped. Dogs have a very good sense of smell – much better than humans. Search-and-rescue dogs use their senses to help locate missing people or people who are trapped in caves or fallen buildings.

Detection Dogs

Some dogs, like search-and-rescue dogs, use their sense of smell to help find people who are lost. Other dogs use their sense of smell to find things that are hidden. These dogs are called detection dogs.

Detection dogs can help police find people who have broken the law and are hiding. Detection dogs can also help find explosives or bombs before they can cause damage.

Dogs are great pets. They are smart, friendly and good companions. Dogs also work hard and help us in many ways. It’s a good thing there are dogs!

Why did the author write this text?

Dogs at Work

Many people have dogs. Dogs are good friends. They love to play and cuddle. Dogs will keep you company and make you feel better. Dogs will keep you safe and protect you from danger. Dogs are smart. They know their names and can learn cool tricks. Dogs are great pets. But did you know, many dogs have important jobs?

Therapy Dogs

Many dogs work to help people feel better. These dogs are called therapy dogs. Many therapy dogs work in hospitals to keep people happy and comfort people who are sick. Dogs make people feel happy and calm, which can help someone feel better when they are ill.

Some therapy dogs work with kids in schools. Kids can read to dogs and practice their skills to become better readers.

Service Dogs

Some dogs have jobs to help people with disabilities. These dogs are called service dogs. Many people who cannot see or hear have service dogs. Service dogs are trained to help their owners in their everyday lives. Service dogs can help people who cannot see by telling them when it is safe to cross the street and leading their owners so they do not trip or run in to something.

Other service dogs help people who have illnesses. These service dogs are trained to sense when their owner is going to get sick and warn their owner to take medicine or call for help.

Search-and-Rescue Dogs

Search-and-rescue dogs help find people who are lost or trapped. Dogs have a very good sense of smell – much better than humans. Search-and-rescue dogs use their senses to help locate missing people or people who are trapped in caves or fallen buildings.

Detection Dogs

Some dogs, like search-and-rescue dogs, use their sense of smell to help find people who are lost. Other dogs use their sense of smell to find things that are hidden. These dogs are called detection dogs.

Detection dogs can help police find people who have broken the law and are hiding. Detection dogs can also help find explosives or bombs before they can cause damage.

Dogs are great pets. They are smart, friendly and good companions. Dogs also work hard and help us in many ways. It’s a good thing there are dogs!

What did the author want the reader to learn?

Dog or Wolf?

Wolves and dogs share a common ancestor – the wolf. Over time, dogs evolved and changed while wolves stayed the same.

Dogs and wolves are very different species now, however, they still share many similarities.

Brains

Wolves and dogs are both very smart. You can teach a dog how to do many tricks and dogs quickly learn their names. Some dogs are even trained to do important jobs. Many dogs help police solve crimes and search for missing people. Dogs even help people who are deaf or blind. Wolves are also smart – they have strong senses that they use to survive in the wild, however, wolves are not easily trained the way dogs are.

Nose

Dogs and wolves have a great sense of smell. A dog’s sense of smell is 1000 times better than a human’s. Many dogs use their sense of smell to help with important jobs. Dogs work for police to detect illegal drugs and find criminals who are hiding. They also use their sense of smell to help find people who are lost or missing. When there is an accident, such as a building collapse, or a natural disaster, dogs use their strong sense of smell to find people who are trapped. Wolves use their strong sense of smell to help them find prey. They can also smell and sense dangers around them.

Ears

Dogs and wolves also have a strong sense of hearing – much better than people. Dogs and wolves use their ears for more than just hearing though. Their ears also can show how a dog or wolf is feeling. Perky ears show that they are paying attention to something, flat ears, usually pointed backwards, means they are feeling angry or threatened and can warn others to stay away. Soft flat or flapping ears show a dog or wolf is happy, friendly or comfortable.

Eyes

Dogs and wolves don’t see in color like people do. Many colors, such as red, orange and yellow, can all look alike to a dog or wolf. Even though they may not see colors well, dogs and wolves do have excellent eyesight. Having good eyesight is especially important for wolves in the wild who need to be able to see prey and predators.

Communication

Dogs and wolves make many different types of sounds to communicate.

Wolves are known for their howl. Some dogs howl, but not all. Dogs are known for barking. Dogs bark for many reasons. They may bark as a warning to stay away or to let their owners know they sense danger. Dogs bark when they play, when they want attention and even when they are bored. Wolves will sometimes bark as a warning of danger.

Dogs and wolves both growl and snarl to warn predators, animals or people to scare them and as a warning to stay away. They growl when they feel threatened and are trying to protect themselves, their family and their home.

Digging

Dogs and wolves both dig. Wolves dig holes to hide food and bones to save for later. Some wolves dig to find food such as mice. Wolves also dig holes in the summer to find somewhere cool to lie or in the winter to stay warm and escape the cold. Wolves also dig underground dens as shelter for their pups. Dogs dig mostly for fun or when they smell something interesting. Dogs love to dig holes to hide their toys and bones – and dig them up again later.

Why did the author write this text?