Jamal wrote an essay because he really loved the government and knew that one day he wanted a career in the US Congress. Although he put his whole heart and soul into his letter, he had no idea that his essay would win the entire national contest! He wasn’t the only winner. Forty-nine other kids across America had also won the chance to visit Washington, DC, for the eighth annual Constitution Conference.

2On the trip, Jamal’s official title was “Junior Representative.” The kids who got to visit the nation’s capital had a very big day in store. The goal of the day was to teach kids the fundamentals of civil service. The organizers had planned a whole day of activities designed to help kids get an idea of how it would be to work in the different branches of government.

3First, all of the kids gathered in a large room made to look like the House floor. There, Jamal and the other winners said the Pledge of Allegiance and learned about the history of the Pledge. Several speakers went to the front of the room and made announcements. Then all of the kids watched and listened as the speakers debated. Some kids, who thought the day would be less educational, said the debate was monotonous. Jamal, however, enjoyed this exchange of words mostly because one day he wanted to be a great debater. To him, this was one of the best moments of the day.

Another fine show was when several new Americans reenacted their Pledge for Citizenship. Seeing how sincere those people were as they spoke made Jamal realize how lucky he was to be born in the United States.

5After lunch, the junior representatives listened to an author read from her work. Jamal’s mom had given him some money to get a souvenir of his big day, and Jamal decided to buy the author’s book. When she was done with her presentation, Jamal approached her and asked if she had any copies for sale. The woman gave him a copy for free and even wrote an inscription inside. She wrote, I hope you had a blast during the conference. I wish I had someone as ambitious as you working on my campaign. Jamal was touched by her words. He shook the woman’s hand and went back to join the other junior representatives.

When the experience was over and Jamal was back at home, his mother wanted to know all of the details of his adventure. Jamal smiled and showed her the note from the author; he described the debate. Jamal could not stop speaking about all of the fascinating things he had seen during his very first day of government work.

1) Which statement BEST describes the theme of this story?
A) learning about the world
B) meeting kids our own age
C) writing about our experiences
D) traveling to different countries

2) In paragraph 2 the word branches means
A) limbs.
B) parts.
C) roads.
D) turns.

3) According to paragraph 2 fundamentals are
A) basics.
B) jokes.
C) possessions.
D) requirements.

4) According to paragraph 3 monotonous means
A) boring.
B) important.
C) scary.
D) singlehanded

5) Catherine is a student who read about Jamal's experience. She expressed a strong opinion that Jamal enjoyed every bit of his special day as a junior representative. Which is the BEST example from the text that supports Catherine's opinion?
A) The kids who got to visit the nation’s capital had a very big day in store.
B) Another fine show was when several new Americans reenacted their Pledge for Citizenship.
C) Jamal, however, enjoyed this exchange of words mostly because one day he wanted to be a great debater.
D) Jamal wrote an essay because he really loved the government and knew that one day he wanted a career in the US Congress.