Read this excerpt from When Birds Get Flu and Cows Go Mad! How Safe Are We?.24/7: The diseases sound awfully serious. Is your job scary?DR. SCOTT DOWELL: The truth is, most of the places I go are not as dangerous as they seem in movies. The diseases are often deadly, but we take many precautions to keep ourselves safe. I travel with my family to most sites. It can be a great adventure. And it’s a chance to see different parts of the world.
Read the excerpt from "The Lottery."The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green. The people of the village began to gather in the square, between the post office and the bank, around ten o'clock; in some towns there were so many people that the lottery took two days and had to be started on June 26th, but in this village, where there were only about three hundred people, the whole lottery took only about two hours, so it could begin at ten o'clock in the morning and still be through in time to allow the villagers to get home for noon dinner.
Which line from "New Land, New Life" best supports the claim that families on the prairie survive by helping one another?
Read the passage from "Fierce Eyes."It was only my father, brother, and I who left. My mother stayed behind with my two teenage sisters for fear that the journey by boat to Thailand would be too dangerous for them. Toua and I were small (he was only three and I was nearly five), so the pirates would leave us alone. To be safe, my father cut off my hair and dressed me as a boy.
Read the excerpt from "Homesick Blues."Now I'm looking at the numbers 7-9-5-3. According to my computer, they are the balance in my checking account. $79.53. Also according to the computer, a plane ticket home costs $387.00. I can't even get a bus ticket with the money I have. And the rent is due next week, and we still have six months on our lease, and I can't leave Alyssa hanging like that. Every time I mention going home, she sinks into a state of depression and starts acting aloof and nervous. But she doesn’t realize that I am just as depressed when I think about staying here.
Read the excerpt from "Homesick Blues."Well, I'm here now, and the reality of the situation is far removed from my expectations. The efficiency apartment I’m sharing with another newbie, Alyssa, is barely big enough to turn around in. The electrical outlet in the kitchen is a fire hazard, and I fear I'll be electrocuted one day. We have been calling the maintenance man about that and the roaches and the noise and the dripping faucets and the cracked window for months. It’s definitely a no-frills establishment.But it's affordable for two people splitting the rent and bills, although neither of us has much money left over at the end of the month. Remember all the wonderful experiences the magazine offered during the internship? I surely can't afford any of them now.
Read the excerpt from "Wings."We feel connected to history, but our wingswon’t let us live in it. We’ve learned a lot from our parents’ generation, and now we carrythose lessons forward in flight.
Read the excerpt from Chapter Two of Windows to the Universe: Revolutions in Astronomy.In 1656, Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens built a telescope that was 23 feet long and could magnify objects 100 times. Using this telescope, Huygens was able to observe and describe the Orion Nebula in detail.
Read a summary of Chapter Three of Windows to the Universe: Revolutions in Astronomy.The Hubble Space Telescope stands as a remarkable testament to humanity's enduring curiosity and ingenuity, a project that transformed how we view the cosmos. Despite its initial challenges, including funding struggles and the heartbreaking flaw in its mirror, Hubble's story is one of resilience and collaboration, recalling an era when nations came together to push the boundaries of discovery. Its breathtaking images, like the iconic Hubble Deep Field, have not only deepened our understanding of the universe but also filled us with wonder, reminding us of our small yet significant place among the stars. Hubble’s journey, from its tumultuous beginnings to its celebrated legacy, evokes a sense of pride in what can be achieved through perseverance and the shared dream of exploring the unknown.
Read this excerpt from "Collision Course."I said a sad, scared good-bye to my friend in the Mission and a reluctant hello to Modesto. The action, the noise, the closeness of my neighborhood was gone, and I found myself in a quiet, neatly trimmed, well-behaved suburb. On that first day at Modesto High School, I looked around at my new classmates, huddled in groups, some laughing, some in more serious conversations. Some were reading class notes and mumbling answers to practice tests under their breath. This was a serious change, and I could not see how it benefited me. My expectation was that I would be miserable. I began mumbling my own proclamations, but mine were addressed to the judge who had said I would be better off here. I considered writing to her, but then I came up with a more effective plan.
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