SAMPLE AMERICAN HISTORY STORIES AND ASSOCIATED COMPREHENSION TESTS
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LEVEL 03 STORY 01:

   What makes an American an American? Some people were born in 
   this country. But many others came from somewhere else. Some of 
   these immigrants came here to find freedom. The Pilgrims came 
   to America from England for religious freedom. Others came here 
   to escape war or poverty. Each group brought its own language 
   and customs.

   They all became Americans because they accepted the values found 
   in the Declaration of Independence and American laws. They agreed 
   to support the American ideas of freedom and democracy. They said 
   they would fight for this country and help us stay free.


LEVEL 03 STORY 01 TEST QUESTIONS:

   1. Who came here for religious freedom?
     *A. The Pilgrims
      B. The Indians
      C. The Dutch
   2. The values that immigrants agreed to accept were found in
      A. The Constitution
      B. The Declaration of American Law
     *C. The Declaration of Independence
   3. American ideas include freedom and
      A. tolerance
     *B. democracy
      C. religion
   4. Each group brought its own language and
      A. religion
     *B. customs
      C. ideas 

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LEVEL 13 STORY 01:

   On September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key peered through clearing 
   smoke to see an enormous flag flying proudly after a 25-hour 
   British bombardment of Baltimore's Fort McHenry. Key was inspired 
   to write a poem known as "The Star Spangled Banner," which was 
   later set to music.

   Even before "The Star-Spangled Banner" became our national anthem, 
   though, it helped to transform the garrison flag with the same 
   name into a major national symbol of patriotism and identity. 
   The flag has had a colorful history, from its origins in a 
   government contract, through its sojourn with several generations 
   of a Baltimore family, to its eventual donation to the Smithsonian 
   Institution, where it is currently under restoration.


LEVEL 13 STORY 01 TEST QUESTIONS:

   1. Who wrote the Star Spangled Banner?
      A. Francis Capola
      B. Irving Berlin
     *C. Francis Scott Key
   2. The song was inspired by a 25-hour
      A. marathon
      B. poem
     *C. battle
   3. The national anthem helped transform the
      A. British flag
      B. American flag
     *C. Garrison flag
   4. Where is the flag currently located?
      A. Fort McHenry
     *B. the Smithsonian Institution
      C. Baltimore