Reading Comprehension

Our heritage: American!
A treasure we all share,
Our family trees have brought us here,
From almost everywhere.

Our heritage: American!
A family of all,
A blend of cultures forming one,
United, standing tall.

Our heritage: American!
Our history is strong,
Progressing through adversity,
Creating rights from wrong.

Our heritage: American!
A land of liberty,
Respecting differences that glow,
And true equality.

Our heritage: American!
We’re leading near and far,
Advancing justice in the world,
And proud of who we are.RHL

Our Heritage: American!

1. “Our family trees have brought us here,
From almost everywhere.” What do these lines mean?

a. Many Americans have been farmers.
b. Americans’ ancestors have come here from all over the world.
c. Boats used by earlier settlers were made of wood.
d. You should take good care of any trees that are on your property.

2. “A blend of cultures forming one.” What do these words mean?

a. Americans know how to walk in a single line.
b. Cultures can be confusing.
c. It might be possible for us to choose the one ideal culture for everyone to look to as an example.
d. The American way of life has been enriched by ideas and traditions from many lands.

3. “Creating rights from wrong.” These words do NOT refer to this.

a. Americans won a war for independence.
b. The Constitution guaranteed citizens the right to express their opinions.
c. The rule was established that the President of the United States must be at least thirty-five years old.
d. Slavery was abolished after the Civil War.
e. Women gained the right to vote.

4. What does the author mean by “true equality”?

a. Our laws say that every human is born to have the same rights.
b. All Americans must think and act alike.
c. Math is an important subject for all students.
d. People who are cuter should have more rights than others.

5. For Discussion: What other ideas does the poem express? Are there any other ideas that you would have liked the poem to mention?