Letters Home from Yosemite By: Lisa Halvorsen

He photographed the wilderness. Vocabulary He photographed the wilderness. place that is in a natural state streets that run through the center of a city sand dunes that rise out of the desert floor area that has been cleared for farming

place that is in a natural state Answer place that is in a natural state

John Muir was a naturalist. Vocabulary John Muir was a naturalist. person who comes from another country person who puts out forest fires person who likes to fish and camp person who studies living things

D. person who studies living things Answer D. person who studies living things

We want to preserve this forest. Vocabulary We want to preserve this forest. save manage divide replant

Answer save

The band put on an impressive show. Vocabulary The band put on an impressive show. interesting amazing amateur expensive

Answer B. amazing

What species is that animal? Vocabulary What species is that animal? type color shape height

Answer type

Vocabulary We fell on the slopes. pile of rocks frozen pond sides of a mountain huge sheet of ice

Answer C. sides of a mountain

Vocabulary Can you see the glacier? huge sheet of ice high waterfall deep valley snowy mountain top

Answer huge sheet of ice

Comprehension Which of the following sentences was an OPINION stated by the author? I knew we were in for an exciting vacation. I’d been reading about Yosemite on the plane. I learned that it is America’s third national park. Yosemite was established as a national park.

I knew we were in for an exciting vacation.

Why did the author provide headings throughout the selection? to give directions for traveling to different places in the park. to group the facts about different main topics to persuade the reader that the park is work preserving

D. to group the facts about different main topics

Which clue can help you know that this story takes place in recent times? The first group of tourists arrives. Native Americans were the only people living in Yosemite. The narrator traveled in an airplane. John Muir had just convinced the government to preserve Yosemite.

C. The narrator traveled in an airplane.

Travel to Badger Pass in 1855 was different than it is today because the only way people could get there was by A. raft B. car C. skis D. horseback

D. horseback

Which of the following is a main idea from the selection? A. Yosemite’s first visitors arrived in 1855. B. Yosemite is a popular place to visit. C. Most visitors go to Yosemite in the summer. D. Badger Pass was California’s first ski area.

B. Yosemite is a popular place to visit.

Which of the following was an opinion from the selection? A. Bridalveil Fall is 620 feet high. B. More than half of America’s highest waterfalls are in Yosemite. C. One of the prettiest (waterfalls) is Bridalveil Falls. D. Sometimes hard wings actually blow the falls sideways.

C. One of the prettiest (waterfalls) is Bridalveil Falls.

What attraction did the author go to see immediately after visiting Glacier Point? A. Tioga Pass B. El Capitan C. Yosemite Valley D. Badger Pass

B. El Capitan

Which detail supports the main idea that visitors must be careful around the animals at Yosemite? A. Bears will rip open a tent if they smell food. B. Male deer graze near the roads. C. Bats swoop through the air to catch insects. D. The young bears are as cute as teddy bears.

Bears will rip open a tent if they smell food.

Which of the following is a fact stated by the author? A. “The view from Glacier Point was totally awesome.” B. “I could also see El Capitan and Half Dome.” C. “I like the way the light reflected off the bare rock surfaces…” D. “One of my favorite places was mirror lake.”

B. “I could also see El Capitan and Half Dome.”

Why do the trees at Tioga Pass stay small? A. The highway blocks the sunlight. B. The soil is not very fertile. C. There is not enough rain. D. The elevation is very high.

D. The elevation is very high.

Group Discussions What is one theme among the selection? (Hint: A theme is a message or lesson taught by the story.)

Possible Theme Yosemite has many natural wonders that are worth being preserved.

What is one detail that supports the main idea that Yosemite is located in a unique place?

Possible Details Yosemite is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, which is the longest and highest mountain range in the United States.

How can you tell that the author’s main purpose for writing this selection was to inform?

The author tells many facts about Yosemite.

Good Luck! I know you will do GREAT! Do your best! 