Passage 3: Clara Barton
P1: Clara Barton became known as “The Angel of the Battlefield” during the American Civil War. Born in Oxford, Massachusetts in 1821, Clara Barton’s interest in helping soldiers on the battlefield began when she was told army stories from her father. Another event that influenced her decision to help soldiers was an accident her brother had. His injuries were cared for by Barton for 2 years. At the time, she was only 11 years old. Barton began teaching school at the age of 15. She taught for 18 years before she moved to Washington, D.C. in 1854.
P2: The civil war broke out 6 years later. Immediately, Barton started war service by helping the soldiers with their needs. At the battle of Bull Run, Clara Barton received permission from the government to take care of the sick and hurt. Barton did this with great empathy and kindness. She acknowledged each soldier as a person. Her endurance and courage on the battlefield were admired by many. When the war ended in 1865, she used 4 years of her life to assist the government in searching for soldiers who were missing during the war.
P3: The search for missing soldiers and years of hard work made her feeble physically. In 1869, her doctors recommended a trip to Europe for a rest. A While she was on vacation, she became involved with the International Red Cross, an organization set up by the Geneva Convention in 1864. Clara Barton realized that the Red Cross would be a big help to the United States. B After she returned to the United States, she worked very hard to create an American Red Cross. She talked to government leaders and let American people know about the Red Cross. C In 1881, the National Society of the Red Cross was finally established with its headquarters in Washington, D.C. Clara Barton managed its activities for 23 years. D
P4: Barton never let her age stop her from helping people. At the age of 79, she helped flood victims in Galveston, Texas. Barton finally resigned from the Red Cross in 1904. She was 92 years old and had truly earned her title “The Angel of the Battlefield”.
Directions: Mark your answer by filling in the oval next to your choice.
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
(A) Clara Barton helped wounded soldiers and she was the founder of the Red Cross,
(B) Clara Barton was a kind and strong woman who helped people In need.
(C) Clara Barton became a nurse during the American Civil War.
(D) Clara Barton worked for disaster victims until she was old.
2. According to paragraph 1, which of the following is true of the young Clara Barton?
(A) She helped her father when he was a soldier.
(B) She suffered from an accident when she was 11.
(C) She helped her brother who was hurt in an accident.
(D) She made a decision to live with her brother for 2 years.
3. The phrase broke out in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to
(A) extended
(B) broke down
(C) closed
(D) began
4. The word this in paragraph 2 refers to
(A) recognized each soldier as a person
(B) cooked for soldiers
(C) took care of the sick and hurt
(D) received permission
5. The word acknowledged in paragraph 2 could best be replaced by
(A) nursed
(B) recognized
(C) pleaded
(D) believed
6. What can be inferred about the government?
(A) It did not always agree with Clara Barton.
(B) It did not have the money to help Clara Barton.
(C) It showed Clara Barton great empathy and kindness.
(D) It had respect for Clara Barton.
7. Which of the sentences best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence? Incorrect answer choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
(A) She asked the government to help her look for soldiers who participated in the war.
(B) She spent 4 years helping the government look for missing soldiers.
(C) Many soldiers were missing when the government’s war ended in 1865.
(D) The war did not end until the government helped Clara Barton find some soldiers who were missing.
8. Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.
At that time, the United States was not a member of that convention.
Where would the sentence best fit?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
9. What does the author mention about the American Red Cross?
(A) It was disapproved again and again by the Geneva Convention.
(B) Barton tried to have it set up in America.
(C) The American people were not interested in the Red Cross.
(D) It was first established in the United States.
10. Directions: Complete the summary below by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage and arrange them in the correct order. An introductory sentence is given.
“Clara Barton loved to help people even at a young age.”
Answer Choices
(A) Clara Barton’s father taught her to help people.
(B) Clara Barton played a big role in establishing an American Red Cross.
(C) The American government permitted Clara Barton to work on the battlefields.
(D) The Geneva Convention was central to the formation of the Red Cross.
(E) During and after the American Civil War, Clara Barton gave support to the soldiers.
(F) Clara Barton continued to help people until she was old.
Answer Keys for Passage 3:
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- B
- C
- D
- C
- B
- D
- B
- 8B
- B
- E, B, F
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