Home Free Printables Literacy 8th Grade Grade 8 Westward Expansion & Manifest Destiny — Reading Comprehension — California Gold Rush Preview — download the full PDF for print-quality output
Literacy 8th Grade Ages 13–14
Grade 8 Westward Expansion & Manifest Destiny — Reading Comprehension — California Gold Rush Free printable reading comprehension passage about california gold rush. Students read the passage and answer questions to build understanding. For 8th Grade (ages 13–14).
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Reading Comprehension — California Gold Rush Read the passage, then answer the questions below. The California Gold Rush began in 1848 when gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill. News spread qu ickly, and by 1849 thousands of people called fo rty-niners rushed to California hoping to strike it rich. People came from all over the world, a nd California's population grew rapidly. While s ome found gold, most did not become wealthy. The Gold Rush helped California become a state in 1 850 and transformed the American West. Questions: 1 When did the Gold Rush begin? 2 Who were the forty-niners? 3 How did the Gold Rush change California? www.littleactivity.com 8th Grade — Page 1
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Reading Comprehension — California Gold Rush Read the passage, then answer the questions below. The California Gold Rush began in 1848 when gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill. News spread qu ickly, and by 1849 thousands of people called fo rty-niners rushed to California hoping to strike it rich. People came from all over the world, a nd California's population grew rapidly. While s ome found gold, most did not become wealthy. The Gold Rush helped California become a state in 1 850 and transformed the American West. Questions: 1 When did the Gold Rush begin? 2 Who were the forty-niners? 3 How did the Gold Rush change California? www.littleactivity.com 8th Grade — Page 1
Reading Comprehension — Animals Read the passage, then answer the questions below. Woof! Max the dog just learned a new trick—he ca n catch a frisbee mid-air! Dogs love to run, pla y fetch, and splash in puddles. When Max is happ y, his whole body wiggles and his tail goes thum p-thump-thump. Did you know some dogs have jobs? They help firefighters find people and guide fr iends who cannot see. Max may be goofy, but dogs are pretty amazing! Questions: 1 What new trick did Max learn? 2 How does Max show he is happy? 3 Name one job a dog can do. www.littleactivity.com Kindergarten — Page 1
Reading Comprehension — Weather Read the passage, then answer the questions below. Boom! Thunder rumbles across the sky like a gian t drum. Lightning flashes—one-Mississippi, two-M ississippi—the closer the count, the nearer the storm! On sunny days, puddles shrink because the Sun drinks them up into the sky. That water bec omes fluffy clouds, and when clouds get too heav y—splish-splash—rain falls back down. Sometimes after a storm, you get the best prize: a rainbow stretching across the sky! Questions: 1 How can you tell if a storm is close or far away? 2 What happens to puddles on a sunny day? 3 What might you see after a rainstorm? www.littleactivity.com Kindergarten — Page 1
Reading Comprehension — Community Read the passage, then answer the questions below. People around the world celebrate, cook, and sin g in special ways. Community is part of what mak es groups unique. When we listen and share, we f ind new games, foods, and friends. Questions: 1 What is one way cultures can differ? 2 What can we learn when we listen to others? 3 How might this topic connect to your family? www.littleactivity.com Kindergarten — Page 1
Reading Comprehension — Adventure Read the passage, then answer the questions below. Close your eyes and imagine: you are in a tiny s ubmarine, sinking deeper and deeper into the oce an. It is getting darker... darker... then—FLASH ! A fish with its own built-in flashlight swims by! Down in the deep ocean, jellyfish glow like lamps and giant squid have eyes as big as dinner plates. An adventure can happen anywhere—under the sea, in your backyard digging for bugs, or e ven inside a really good book. All you need is c uriosity and the magic words: "I wonder what hap pens if..." Questions: 1 What surprising things live in the deep ocean? 2 Where are three places you can have an adventure? 3 What magic words start an adventure? www.littleactivity.com Kindergarten — Page 1
Reading Comprehension — Nature Read the passage, then answer the questions below. Science is like detective work in nature! Nature is part of how the world works. Scientists look closely, ask "why?", and test ideas. You can be a scientist in your own backyard or classroom. Questions: 1 What is nature? 2 What might a scientist observe? 3 Why is this topic exciting to learn? www.littleactivity.com Kindergarten — Page 1
Reading Comprehension — Sports Read the passage, then answer the questions below. Everyone has big feelings sometimes. Sports can help us name what we feel and choose kind action s. Taking deep breaths, using words, and asking for help are superpowers for real life. Questions: 1 What is this topic about? 2 Name one healthy way to handle a big feeling. 3 Who is someone you can talk to when you need help? www.littleactivity.com Kindergarten — Page 1
