Read the passage.In 1812, war broke out in Europe and in North America. In addition to the usual ravages of conflict, this war saw two of the most precious US landmarks damaged. Two years into the conflict, in 1814, a British force invaded Washington DC, and burned the Capitol building and the White House in retaliation for US forces burning York in 1813.
Read the passage.One of the best ways to protect the natural resources in our great state is to visit the many Florida state parks open to the public. When you visit a state park, the fee you pay goes toward preserving the environment in the park. Whether you like the sun and sand or prefer the cool air of a slash pine forest, there is a state park for you. Grayton Beach State Park, located near Panama City, has miles of hiking and biking trails as well as a sandy beach, where visitors enjoy sunbathing and swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. Another option for beach access is Washington Oaks State Park, located just north of Daytona Beach on the Atlantic Coast. Although it does not have hiking and bike trails, visitors can spend hours walking up and down the beach and exploring the large rock formations that house tide pools teeming with life when the tide goes out.
Read the passage.Stonehenge is the most famous stone circle in the world. Located on Salisbury Plain in southern England, it was most likely built about 5,000 years ago, but no one knows why or by whom. No one knows how the stone circle was built, either. Of the stones that remain standing in the circle, the sarsens (sandstone boulders found in southern England) are the biggest. They are extremely heavy, each weighing up to 25 tons, or 50,000 pounds—about the weight of a fire truck or a fully loaded bus. The tallest sarsens stretch 30 feet into the sky, as tall as two-story houses. These stones are thought to have come from about 20 miles away. How could the prehistoric people who built Stonehenge have transported these gigantic stones and then positioned them in a circle? We will most likely never know.
Read the passage.Pizza may have its roots in Italy, but the United States has certainly left its mark on the food. Pizza from the US is some of the most popular in the world. New York and Chicago are both known for their great pizza. Pizza is similar in both cities in that they include tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. However, their crusts are very different. New York pizza has a thin, hand-tossed crust, while Chicago’s pizza is a thick, deep-dish crust that is cooked in a pan.
Read the passage.The space race between the United States and the Soviet Union began in 1957 when the Soviets launched an intercontinental ballistic missile. Before the United States launched its first satellite, more than a year later, the USSR had already sent the first mammal, a dog named Laika, into space. It would be four years later, in 1961, when the United States would send its first mammal into space, a primate named Ham. It quickly became clear to government officials, particularly President John F. Kennedy, that the Soviets were outpacing the United States when it came to technology. This was concerning because technological advancements would have implications for the military. This was the main reason that President Kennedy pledged, in 1962, that the United States would put a man on the moon.
Read the passage.The Saint Lawrence Seaway is a body of water that separates Canada and the United States. It connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes, which makes it important for trade and the transportation of goods. In addition, it provides opportunities for recreation, such as boating and scuba diving.
Read the passage.The Saint Lawrence Seaway was built to allow oceangoing vessels to reach the Great Lakes. It was seen as a great boon for trade. However, it has proven to be extremely detrimental to the environment. After the seaway was built, a number of invasive species arrived on ships and began to plague the area. Residents along the river have also experienced dangerously high water levels because of the seaway.
Read the passage.Teenagers can help out at home by pitching in during mealtime. Not everyone is born to be a celebrity chef but learning how to make a few simple meals is an easy and fun way to show people that you care about them. If you have never even boiled an egg before, you might be wondering where to start. Think of a meal you have had in a restaurant that you enjoyed. The internet is full of websites that give step-by-step instructions on how to create even the most complicated meals, but it is best to keep things simple at first. Once you have chosen your meal, it is time to plan. Make a list of ingredients. Find out what is already in the kitchen and what you will need to purchase at the market. Go shopping early enough so that you have plenty of time to prepare and cook your meal. Read the recipe carefully to find out how long it will take. Cook your meal and then, most importantly, enjoy your creation!
Read the passage.The overpopulation of feral cats is a serious problem in many areas of Florida. A simple, humane way to reduce the overpopulation of feral cats is trap-neuter-release. Feral cats are gently trapped, spayed or neutered to prevent further breeding, and then released back into their colony. Over time, the population of the colony dwindles without the need for the cats to be unnecessarily euthanized.
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