Cite Evidence and Cause Effect - 1

Name: WEEK 20
Evaluate Evidence DAY 3

READ THE PASSAGE Think about the claims the author makes and the evidence he gives to support them.
Baseball Great Satchel Paige

Satchel Paige was probably one of baseball’s greatest pitchers, although he had a limited opportunity
to prove his skills. Paige was born in 1905 and spent the majority of his career playing for the Negro
Leagues. During the 1930s and 1940s, when Paige was playing his best, Major League teams didn’t allow
African American players. As a result, African Americans had to play on all-black teams, in front of mostly
black crowds.
In addition to playing for the Negro Leagues, Paige traveled around the country, pitching in small-town
exhibition games against white Major and Minor League teams. Paige could throw a dazzling variety of
pitches, and team owners were willing to pay him top dollar.
In 1947, Major League Baseball’s color barrier was finally broken when Jackie Robinson became a
second baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Soon other black players entered the Major Leagues, and
Paige himself was offered a contract in 1948 to play for the Cleveland Indians. By then he was 42 years old,
and people joked that he was baseball’s oldest rookie. Nonetheless, Paige’s pitching helped the Indians win
the division championship that year.
In 1971, Satchel Paige’s contribution to baseball was officially recognized. He became the first Negro
League player to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, finally receiving the recognition he
deserved.
SKILL PRACTICE Read each question. Fill in the bubble next to the correct answer.
1. Which of the following does not indicate that 3. Which statement explains why Paige did not have
Paige was a great pitcher? an opportunity to fully prove his skills?
A He is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. A Paige was busy barnstorming.
B He played during the 1930s and 1940s. B Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier.
C He helped Cleveland win the championship. C Major league teams did not allow African
American players.
D He could throw a wide variety of pitches.
D Paige played for the Cleveland Indians.
2. Which statement provides the best evidence that
team owners greatly valued Paige? 4. What evidence explains why people might have
A Paige’s ability to prove his skill was limited. joked about Paige being baseball’s oldest rookie?
B Paige traveled around the country. A He had been playing for many years.
C He played against white major and minor B Other black players had already entered the
league players. major leagues.
D Owners were willing to pay him a lot of money. C He was known for his sense of humor.
D He was too inexperienced to do well.
STRATEGY PRACTICE What information does the author give to support the claim that Satchel Paige
was finally given the recognition he deserved?
© Evan-Moor Corp. • EMC 3456 • Daily Reading Comprehension 127
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Name: WEEK 20
Evaluate Evidence DAY 4
READ THE PASSAGE Think about the claims the author makes and the evidence she gives
to support them.
Olmec Heads
Thousands of years ago, before the great civilizations of the Inca, the Maya, and the Aztec, another
culture dominated Central and South America—the Olmec. These people, who thrived in Mesoamerica
between 1500 bc and 400 bc, helped develop the calendar for which the Maya later became famous. Also,
like the later civilizations, the Olmec believed in a corn god, and many other gods of nature. The Olmec also
used innovative farming methods. But perhaps the most amazing accomplishment of the Olmec people was
their art.
Explorers and archaeologists have discovered 17 gigantic heads that the Olmec sculpted from basalt,
a volcanic rock found in the mountains. Some of these sculptures weigh several tons. The largest of the
heads is over eight feet tall. Each one has a different face and wears a helmet or a headdress. Some
scholars estimate that it would have taken up to 1,500 workers and three to four months to move the heads.
For a while, scholars believed that because the heads had helmets, they represented Olmec
ballplayers. The Olmec were known to play a game with a rubber ball that later Mesoamerican cultures also
played. Now, however, archaeologists believe that the heads portrayed important Olmec rulers.
SKILL PRACTICE Read each question. Fill in the bubble next to the correct answer.
1. Which sentence gives evidence that the Olmec 3. Which evidence best supports the idea that the
had links to later cultures in Mesoamerica? Olmec heads are very big?
A Some of the sculptures weigh several tons. A They represented Olmec ballplayers.
B The Olmec helped develop the calendar for B The Olmec were innovative farmers.
which the Maya became famous.
C The volcanic basalt came from nearby
C Archaeologists now believe that the giant heads mountains.
portray important Olmec rulers.
D The heads might have required up to
D The Olmec are known for their amazing art. 1,500 workers to move them.
2. Which piece of evidence supports the theory that 4. Which statement is not supported by evidence
the heads portray ballplayers? in the passage?
A They are wearing helmets. A The Olmec lived long ago.
B Each head has different facial features. B The Olmec religion had more than one god.
C There are 17 known heads. C The Olmec were led by a single ruler.
D The heads are made from volcanic basalt. D The Olmec heads were moved to their present
location.
STRATEGY PRACTICE Write a question about information from the passage. Then have a partner answer it.
128 Daily Reading Comprehension • EMC 3456 • © Evan-Moor Corp.
3456.indb 128 6/25/10 1:49 PM

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Name: WEEK 20

Evaluate Evidence DAY 3

Baseball Great Satchel Paige

© Evan-Moor Corp. • EMC 3456 • Daily Reading Comprehension 127

3456.indb 127 6/25/10 1:49 PM

128 Daily Reading Comprehension • EMC 3456 • © Evan-Moor Corp.

3456.indb 128 6/25/10 1:49 PM

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