Talking About Problems to Stay Safe

/ 1st Grade ELA / By

Talking About Problems to Stay Safe

Sometimes, people in our country have big disagreements. They have different ideas about important rules. When people disagree, it is best to talk about it calmly. This helps everyone stay safe and happy.

Recently, in the month of January, some sad things happened. In a city called Minneapolis, two people were hurt and died during arguments about rules for people coming to our country.

A very important man named Ray Dalio talked about this. He is a man who knows a lot about money and helping people. He said our country is like a pile of dry sticks that could catch fire easily. He means that people are very upset and we must be careful.

Mr. Dalio asked the President, Mr. Trump, to help calm things down. He said the President should ask for peace. He said the police and leaders should be fair to everyone. When leaders are fair and kind, it helps people feel better.

Many other important people agreed with Mr. Dalio. They said leaders need to help people get along. The President then talked to the leader of Minnesota. They said they would try to work together. A lady from the President’s office said, “Nobody wants to see people getting hurt.”

Mr. Dalio said we can learn from history. History is the story of what happened a long time ago. He said when countries fight inside themselves, it causes big problems. He wants everyone to talk, listen, and follow the rules so we can all be friends. Our country is strong when we work together and are kind to each other.

Reading Comprehension Questions

  1. What did Ray Dalio say our country is like?
    A. A wet sponge
    B. A pile of dry sticks that could catch fire
    C. A big, cool lake
    D. A tall, strong mountain
  2. When did the sad things happen in Minneapolis?
    A. In the summer
    B. In the month of December
    C. In the month of January
    D. On a Tuesday
  3. Who did Mr. Dalio ask to help calm things down?
    A. A teacher
    B. The President, Mr. Trump
    C. A firefighter
    D. A doctor
  4. What did the lady from the President’s office say?
    A. “Everyone wants to see a fight.”
    B. “Nobody wants to see people getting hurt.”
    C. “The rules are not important.”
    D. “We should not talk to each other.”
  5. What does Mr. Dalio want everyone to do?
    A. Fight more
    B. Stop talking
    C. Talk, listen, and follow the rules
    D. Only think about money

Vocabulary Words

  1. Disagree – To have different ideas about something.
  2. Calmly – To do something in a quiet and peaceful way, not angry.
  3. President – The leader of our country.
  4. History – The story of what happened a long time ago.
  5. Together – With each other, not alone.

Answers to Comprehension Questions

  1. B. A pile of dry sticks that could catch fire
  2. C. In the month of January
  3. B. The President, Mr. Trump
  4. B. “Nobody wants to see people getting hurt.”
  5. C. Talk, listen, and follow the rules
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