AFRICA’S “THE GOOD ONE”

Over a hundred years ago, there was a young doctor named

David Livingstone. He lived among the savages in a South African
village. He gave them medicine and preached them about God.
Thus, he gained many friends among the tribes.
David Livingstone, known as the missionary doctor toiled
and traveled through thirty years in the dark continent. When he
went to Africa in 1840, the entire central portion was unknown to
the civilized world.
Livingstone had a burning desire and love for the black
people of Africa. His work as a doctor was important. He
demonstrated to the blacks the use of quinine in treating malaria.
He established a mission center. With a group of native Africans,
he went to the village of tribesmen who had never seen a white
man before. When he had accepted as a friend, he worked with
them for weeks or even months.
David Livingstone was married to the daughter of another
English missionary. They had two children. Because of the
hardships they met in Africa, his wife and children were often
plagued with sickness. He decided to send his wife and children
back to England. However, his wife returned to work with her
husband. She died on fever later on. Livingstone was heartbroken
but he continued his missionary work.
He preached the gospel in different African dialects.
Although some savages did not understand him at first, they
knew he was the “Good One” and so the God he was talking
about was good, too. They believed in him. Because of his sincere
efforts, the land of Africa were opened to peaceful settlement and
trade.
On May 1, 1873, Livingstone died of pneumonia. To the
African natives their Good One was gone. Thousands who
believed in him paid their last respects. His body was embalmed
by the tribesmen and was sent to England for burial. But the
natives removed his heart. They buried it lovingly in their own soil
where Livingstone belonged.
The great progress now seen in Africa is David Livingstone’s
living monument against African slavery and backwardness.
 AUSTRALIA

Australia is the largest island in the world but it is the

smallest of all the continents. Its area is about 3,000,000
square miles or 1/6 less than that of the United States. It lies
south of the equator and south of Asia. It is completely
surrounded by water being near the South Pacific Ocean and
the Southeast Indian Ocean. Australia is very far from other
lands except Southeast Asia and South Pacific Islands. Its
native people or aborigines had a very primitive culture
before the coming of the white man. This is so because of the
great distance between the natives and people from other
continents.
Australia is a land of strange animals and plants which
are not found anywhere in the world. Example is the duckbill
which is a small egg-laying aquatic mammal with a bill and
webbed feet like a duck’s, a tail like a beaver’s and fur like a
mole’s. it provides its young with milk.
Australia is also best known for the kangaroo. There are
many kinds of sizes of kangaroos. The large kangaroos are
found in zoos around the world.
Another animal native to Australia is the koala bear. The
koala looks like a toy teddy bear given to children in Europe
and America. It grows to a height of slightly over two feet.
The cub spends the first six months of its life in its mother’s
pouch. The koala eats the leaves of tender shoots of the
eucalyptus tree.
A famous tree native to Australia is the eucalyptus. It
can live in dry lands where other plants will die. The bottle
tree is also unusual. Its trunk may hold up to 90 gallons of
water during summer.
Australia has become a world leader in the production of
raw materials. Gold, copper, zinc, oil, lead and iron are only
some of Australia’s source of wealth.
Other sources of her wealth are her sheep, cattle and
farm products.
At least one-fourth of the world’s supply of wool comes
from Australia. She also exports wheat which is an important
crop.

THE FIRST FIRECRACKER

In ancient times, the Chinese believed that there was a

little demon that they called Shan-Shao. The ancient Chinese
feared this demon very much for they believed that any man
attacked by him would suffer fits of high fever and chill.
So they invented crackling bamboos in the fire to drive
out the little demon. Later, whole groves of bamboos were
set on fire and bamboos exploded merrily like a string of
firecrackers.
Then a Chinese discovered that mixing saltpeter, sulphur
and pine charcoal produced gunpowder.
During the Sung Dynasty, a man named Li Tien god the
idea of exploding gunpowder instead of crackling bamboos.
He said, “If I can make the sound ten times the sound of
exploding bamboos, this will surely drive the little demon
away.”
He carefully rolled a few pieces of paper around a pinch
of gunpowder. He tied the two ends tightly with strings. He
attached a fuse on one end and lighted it. Lo! There was a
great blast. This was the beginning of the firecracker.
Do you know that what the Chinese believed to be a
little demon and which they feared, was a disease we now
called malaria? The setting of bamboo groves afire drove the
malaria-carrying mosquitoes away from the place.
Firecrackers are now widely used during town fiestas
and merry-making. The production of firecrackers has greatly
improved through the years. Fireworks which are wonderful
to watch especially at night are produced.
However, firecrackers can be very dangerous. Every
year, on New Year’s Eve, hundreds are hurt by exploding
firecrackers. Laws had been passed prohibiting the exploding
of bomb firecrackers, but many people have not learned their
lessons yet.

LADY WITH THE LAMP

Do you know what served as an inspiration to the

founder of the Red Cross Society?
Florence Nightingale, the founder, was born in Florence,
Italy in 1820. She was raised by her parents in an English
countryside. While still a little girl, Florence showed her love
for nursing by caring for her dolls and sick animals. One time
she saved the life of a dog named Cap. The dog happened to
have an infected paw and Florence treated the wound until it
was cured.
She was presented to Queen Victoria when she was
eighteen. He parents wanted her to lead a gay and sociable
life and to marry a well-to-do fellow. But Florence against her
parents’ wishes trained as a nurse.
 People despised nursing during that time. But when the
war broke out between Britain and Russia, Florence, for the
first time in history, took with her a staff of nurses to take
care of the wounded in the battlefields. After six months of
heroic work, the rate of wounded soldiers dropped from 420
per thousand to 20 per thousand.
Even during the night, Florence carrying a lamp, would
go around visiting the wounded soldiers. Thus, Florence
Nightingale was known as the Lady with the Lamp. She
probably saved more lives during her lifetime than any
woman in the history ever did.
There are now Red Cross Societies established all over
the world through the inspiration of Florence Nightingale.
They do wonderful jobs in the battlefields. They help people
who are victims of fire, floods, earthquakes and other natural
calamities. They also have blood banks for those who need
blood. All these we owe to Florence Nightingale.

MOTHER GOAT’S KID

There was once a white mother goat who was

lost from her herd. She became a wild goat. She
roamed around the forests. Then, one summer, she
gave birth to a tiny brown kid. Mother goat was
proud of her kid and took care of it lovingly. Often
she would hide it behind a big rock while she
grazed in a nearby patch of grass.
One evening, as she was about to get the kid
from the big rock, a big black dog came speeding
towards them. With a fierce snort, the goat
charged at the big dog to prevent it from going to
her kid’s hiding place. Mother goat and the dog
began a savage battle that went into the night.
The big dog tried to attack Mother Goat with its
sharp teeth, but Mother Goat gored it with her
horns. Mother goat, afraid for her young kid, tried
all she could do to defend her young. Finally her
sharp horns pierced the ribs of the dog and the dog
lay dead on the rocks.
Mother goat took her kid away from that place.
She patiently and gently led her kid with her horns.
They continued on their journey resting only when
she fed her kid.
They crossed forests, hills and mountains. The
places they passed were open and dangerous for
her kid. The kid was tired but Mother Goat prodded
it to go on. Finally, they found a small cave whose
mouth was covered with tall cogon grass. Mother
Goat was sure that the cave would be safe for her
kid so she made it their home.
 OUR COUNTRY, THE BEAUTIFUL

Our country, the Philippines, known as the

Pearl of Orient Seas, is composed of small islands
which look like a string of pearls on the map.
Our forefathers lived peacefully on these
beautiful isles long before the coming of the
Spaniards. They enjoyed their freedom and the
wealth of our country. When the Spaniards came,
our forefathers learned better ways of living but
their freedom became limited. They longed to be
free once more. They hated to be under foreign
rule. They fought and died for the freedom we
enjoy. We still dream the dreams they had, that we
are Filipinos and that the Philippines belongs to the
Filipinos.

Although we are
divided into different
regions, and people in
each region speak
different dialects, we
are united by a
common national
language, the Filipino
language. We have the
same dreams and
hopes for our country,
too.

We are a lucky people. We are blessed with a

country which also has rich natural resources. We
enjoy freedom of speech and of worship.
 A popular tourist spot, the Philippines takes
pride in her beautiful women. Our women, some of
whom are international beauty title holders,
fashion models, Bayanihan, Barangay and
Filipinescas dancers, are touring the different parts
of the world, promoting the rich curtural heritage of
our country. Do we in our own little way strive to
make the Philippines known? We must, for the sake
of our country, the beautiful Pearl of Orient.

THE COW AND THE CARABAO

A muddy carabao slowly made its way to a grassy

field. A cow was munching grass on a nearby
meadow.

“Look how dirty

you are, friend
carabao,” said the cow.
“What do you expect?”
asked the carabao
angrily, “Can you
expect me to look
clean after a day’s
work in the muddy
fields? You should be
ashamed of yourself
instead, lazybone.
While I work you do
nothing but eat and
sleep the whole day. Of
course, your body will
 not be soiled like
mine.”

“You ought to be thankful for being useful on

the field,” the cow said. “You will live much longer
than I.
“What do you mean by that?” asked the
carabao.
“Our master wants you to live as long as
possible,” explained the cow. “You are needed to
plow and harrow the fields. On the other hand, I
eat and rest with little or nothing to do so I grow
big and fat. Our master will then sell me to the
butcher to be slaughtered. All of us have our own
destinies to fulfill. So you see, it is useless to
complain about life.”
The carabao understood what the cow said. He
knew why the farmer took good care of him. He
was a great help to his work on the fields.
“Poor cow!” said the carabao. “I have always
envied you for leading an easy life. Now, I do not
envy you anymore.

FARM LIFE

On a sunny Saturday, Lisa and her brother, Cesar,

went to visit their grandfather who lived on a farm.
They noticed how beautiful the farm was. The sky
was blue, the fields were green and te rice stalks bent
with the ripening golden grains. Cows and goats were
grazing on the meadow. Young boys on carabaos’ back
were racing; plenty of watermelons and cantaloupes were
growing along the farm sides.
 “Ah! There is Granpa’s farm,” cried Cesar, pointing to
the place to Lisa.
“Yes, there is Grandpa waiting, answered Liza.
They kissed their grandfather’s hand.
“I will take you around the farm,” said Grandfather.
First, Grandfather took them to the big pigpen. They
saw a big mother pig with ten piglets. Then, they visited
the barn. There were cows and calves in there. They went
to the poultry house afterwards. There were hundreds of
white leghorns and many chicks, too.
“How nice it is to live on a farm!” Liza exclaimed.
“We can have all the fresh air and fresh food on the
farm,” Cesar added.
“We prefer farm life, Grandfather,” both the children
said.
“You may come whenever you want,” Grandfather
told the children. “I am happy to have you both here on
the farm.”
“We will come, Grandfather,” said Liza.
“We will help you feed the chickens and the cows,”
said Cesar.
After two days, the children kissed their grandfather
goodbye.

ROSES
 We all love roses. Roses are the best-loved and
the best-known of all garden flowers. The
interesting history of roses dates back to the
ancient times. It is said that dried roses had been
found in ancient tombs. They have also been
mentioned in the oldest known writings and
manuscripts.
Roses are grown all year long in greenhouses.
There are many different varieties and colors of
roses. New shades are constantly being developed.
Bedding roses are those that are grown for
display in the garden. Climbing roses include those
with big flowers and those with small flowers in
clusters. Shrub roses are planted the same way as
lilacs. Their flowers may be single of double.
Roses need good soil, fresh air, regular
cultivation and plenty of water. Roses are often
attacked by insects and diseases but these can be
controlled by spraying and dusting the plants. The
simplest way of propagating roses is by cuttings.
Roses, they be called by any other name, are
sweet smelling. There are many rose lovers all over
the world. They cultivate rose gardens and hold
regular exhibits. People cannot resist the beauty of
roses.
 BIRTHSTONES

Superstitions about the precious stones originated

during the early times. Anyone who wore any of these
stones was supposed to become strong and brave. There
were those who believed that when worn, these stones
protect the wearer from fire and lightning. Still many
believed that they were supposed to bring good luck and
good fortune.

Our present beliefs about birthstone are believed on

theses old superstitions. Wearing a birthstone is believed
to bring good fortune especially when it is given by
somebody as present.
Almost everybody nowadays do appreciate wearing
birthstones. Although not everyone agrees on what
particular birthstone is intended for each month, there is
a grouping often followed in connection with birthstones.
There are calendars that include the different birthstones
for each month. We take interest in reading the meaning
of the birthstones in our horoscopes. For who would not
want to be protected and helped by his particular
birthstone.

BIRTHSTONES

Direction: Write the letter of the correct answer on your

answer sheet.
1. Superstitions about precious stones originated ___________.
a. a very recently c. in the modern times
b. a long time ago

2. Wearer of these stones believed that they would ___________.

a. meet bad luck
b. meet good luck
c. have supernatural powers

3. It is believed that birthstones bring best luck when

___________.
a. they are costly
b. they are given as presents
c. they match the birth month of the wearer

4. Which of these is believed as an exemption from birthstones’

magical influence?
a. Wearer can make an enemy sick.
b. Wearer will become strong and brave.
c. Wearer will be protected from fire and lightning.

5. All these good things attributed to birthstones are

___________.
a. not true
b. very true
c. somewhat true

6. People nowadays wear birthstones for ___________.

a. good luck
b. showing off
c. their beauty

7. In buying birthstones, the first thing one should consider in

his __________.
a. birth month
 b. favorite color
c. favorite design

8. As time goes by, do you think more and more people will
believe in the good luck associated with birthstones?
a. Yes b. No c. It depends

9. This selection as a whole tells us that good luck and

birthstones ___________.
a. cannot be separated
b. are closely associated
c. has nothing to do with each other

THE ROSE

Direction: Select and copy the letter of the correct answer on

your answer sheet.
1. People loved roses ___________.
a. just recently b. in modern times c. since the
ancient times

2. The rose plant is __________.

a. a water plant b. a delicate plant c. a
strong and hardy plant

3. The simplest way of propagating roses is by ___________.

a. cutting b. budding c. marcotting

4. Roses are loved for their _________.

a. medicinal value b. sentimental value c.
fragrance and beauty

5. This selection as a whole is about __________.

a. roses b. plants c. flowers

6. Roses are grown best __________.

a. during summer
b. during rainy season
c. throughout the year
 7. Roses being attacked by pests or diseases can be saved by
__________.
a. cutting the plant
b. spraying the plant
c. talking to the plant

8. Dried roses that had been found in ancient tombs prove that
roses are used as a symbol of ___________.
a. love b. purity c. justice

9. Draw a rose flower with two zigzag leaves. Put thorns on its
stem.

10. This selection would be more appealing to __________.

a. the males
b. the females
c. both males and females

FARM LIFE

Direction: Write the letter of the correct answer on your

answer sheet.

1. From where Lisa and Cesar?

a. abroad b. a distant farm c. a big city
nearby

2. About how old are they?

a. five and seven b. twelve and fourteen c.
eighteen and twenty

3. What helped you guess their ages?

a. It was clearly stated in the story.
b. They could go visiting by themselves.
c. They were excited with what they saw.

4. Who took Lisa and Cesar around the farm?

a. an uncle b. Grandfather c.
Grandmother
 5. Where were the children taken?
a. barn b. orchard c. prawn pond

6. When did Lisa and Cesar visit grandfather?

a. one fine day
b. one rainy day
c. after a typhoon

7. How did they both feel on the farm?

a. happy b. sad c. afraid

8. Where do they prefer to live?

a. abroad b. in the city c. on the farm

9. How did Grandfather feel about the children?

a. angry
b. bothered
c. pleased

10. Write the first three letters of the day when the visit
was made.

THE COW AND THE CARABAO

Direction: Write the letter of the correct answer on your

answer sheet.

1. A muddy carabao slowly made its way to ___________.

a. garden b. meadow c. grassy field

2. A cow was munching __________.

a. hay b. vines c. grass

3. The cow teased the carabao because it was __________.

a. clean b. muddy c. hardworking

4. The carabao called the cow a ___________.

a. freak b. friend c. lazybone

5. The carabao and the cow were ____________.

a. good friends b. mortal enemies c. not on
 speaking terms

6. The cow does nothing but ___________.

a. eat and sleep b. drink and sleep c. munch
and walk

7. The master wants the carabao to __________.

a. drink and eat
b. grow big and fat
c. live as long as possible

8. The master will sell the cow to the __________.

a. market b. butcher c.
slaughterhouse

9. What do you think happened after the conversation between

the cow and the carabao?
a. The carabao no longer wanted to work.
b. The carabao became more hardworking.
c. The carabao and the cow became mortal enemies.

10. Which statement is true?

a. The carabao is wiser than the cow.
b. The cow is wiser than the carabao.
c. The carabao will live much longer than the cow.

OUR COUNTRY, THE BEAUTIFUL

Direction: Pick out the letter of the correct answer and write
it on your answer sheet.
1. The Philippines is known as the ___________.
a. Land of the Brave c. Jewel of the Pacific
Ocean
b. Pearl of the Orient Seas

2. The Philippines is composed of ___________.

a. several coral reefs c. a string of
submerged volcanoes
b. big and small islands

3. On a map, the Philippines look like ____________.

a. Chocolate Hills c. scattered palay grains
b. a string of pearls
 4. Our forefathers ____________.
a. lived a poor oppressed life c. did not enjoy the
beauty of our country
b. enjoyed the beauty of our country

5. When the Spaniards came to our soil, ___________.

a. they bought all the products
b. they brought with them better ways of living
c. they learned many things from our forefathers

6. One bad effect of the coming of the Spaniards in the

Philippines is ____________.
a. our Hispanization c. our loss of freedom
b. or Christianization

7. Because seas separate our Islands, ___________.

a. we became seafarers c. we speak different
dialects
b. we became fish eaters

8. The Philippines is considered one of the most beautiful

countries in the __________.
a. West b. East c. South

9. Why does our government encourage our models and

dancers to tour the different parts of the world?
a. to show off c. to promote the rice cultural
heritage of our country
b. for their own cultural growth

10. How can you, in your own little way, make the
Philippines known to other countries?
a. by being a good citizen
b. by being friendly to foreigners
c. by having pen pals from abroad

MOTHER GOAT’S KID

Direction: Write the letter of the correct answer on your

answer sheet.

1. The story tells about a ___________.

a. tiny brown kid b. big, black dog c. mother
 goat and her kid

2. The goat roamed around the ___________.

a. forest b. woods c. meadow

3. Mother Goat gave birth to a ___________.

a. white kid b. black kid c. brown
kid

4. Mother Goat hid her kid behind a ____________.

a. tree b. house c. big rock

5. In the battle between the dog and the goat, the winner was
____________.
a. the dog b. the goat c. not any of
them

6. A savage battle took place between the ____________.

a. kid and the dog
b. Mother Goat and the kid
c. Mother Goat and the dog

7. Mother Goat gored the dog with her ____________.

a. feet b. horns c. head

8. They story tells us of ____________.

a. mothers’ sacrifices for their young ones
b. mothers’ selfishness to their young ones
c. how mothers discipline their young ones

9. This instinct of motherhood is true to ____________.

a. goat only b. all mothers c. human
beings only

10. This selection also tells us to ____________.

a. expect the best care from our mother
b. demand more things from our mother
c. pay greater love and respect to our mother

LADY WITH THE LAMP

Direction: Write the letter of the correct answer on your
answer sheet.

1. Who served as an inspiration to the founding of the Red

Cross Society?
a. Tandang Sora b. Josefa Escoda c.
Florence Nightingale

2. Where was Florence Nightingale raised?

a. in a French countryside
b. in an English countryside
c. in a German countryside

3. How did she show her love for nursing?

a. by caring for her sick friends
b. by caring for her sick mother
c. by caring for her dolls and sick animals

4. What was the name of the dog she saved?

a. Cap b. Laddie c. Brownie

5. What did her parents want her to do?

a. to study nursing b. to study medicine c. to
lead a gay and social life

6. To whom was she presented when she reached the age of

eighteen?
a. to Queen Anne b. to Queen Beatrix c. to
Queen Victoria

7. In what profession is Florence Nightingale’s life possibly

studied?
a. in the nursing profession
b. in medical profession
c. in the teaching profession

8. How did the people regard nursing during the nineteenth

century?
a. They honored it. b. They admired it. c. They
despised it.

9. In what war did Florence serve?

a. between Britain and Russia
b. between Italy and Germany
c. between France and England
 THE FIRST FIRECRACKER

Direction: On your answer sheet, copy the word that best

completes each sentence

1. The Chinese used to believe that there was a little demon

called __________.
a. Shan-Shao b. Sio Pao c. Sung-Sin

2. They thought that this demon gave them ___________.

a. aches and pains b. cold and cough c. fever
and chills

3. To drive this demon away they first invented the

____________.
a. crackling bamboos b. bamboo cannons c.
bamboo stilts

4. Sometimes they would ____________.

a. dance around the bamboo groves c.
shoot at unseen demons
b. set bamboo grove on fire

5. Later, they discovered that saltpeter, sulphur and pine

charcoal mixed together produced ____________.
a. the cure for fever and chills c. sparklers
b. gunpowder

6. Li Tien discovered gunpowder out of the necessity to

___________.
a. drive away demons b. earn a decent living
c. fight the country’s enemies

7. The demons whom the Chinese believed to be causing their

much dreaded disease were in reality __________.
a. flies b. mosquitoes c. bats

8. That much dreaded disease of fever and chills is what we

now call ___________.
a. flue b. malaria c. tuberculosis
 9. This selection tells us ____________.
a. how firecrackers came to be invented
b. how disease used to be treated
c. how the Chinese got rid of the little demon

AUSTRALIA

Direction: Write the letter of the correct answer on your

answer sheet.

1. As a continent, Australia is the ____________.

a. largest b. smallest c. richest

2. As an island, it is the _____________.

a. largest b. smallest c. richest

3. It lies along the ____________.

a. China Sea b. Atlantic Ocean c. Pacific
Ocean

4. Its area is about ____________.

a. 3,000,000 sq miles b. 5,000,000 sq miles c.
10,000,000 sq miles

5. Australia was peopled by the _____________.

a. red race b. white race c. black
race

6. A strange plant found in Australia that can live in dry land

where other plants cannot live is the _____________.
a. cactus b. eucalyptus c. pine tree

7. Another strange plant that can hold up to 80 gallons of water

in its trunk is the ___________.
a. bottle tree b. pine tree c. rubber
tree

8. Australia is a great supplier of the world’s ____________.

a. staple food b. raw materials c. energy
source
 9. The fact that Australia supplies the world with raw materials
indicates that she still lacks _____________.
a. trade partner c. the technological know-how
in production
b. other kinds of raw materials

10. Invasion is quite impossible for Australia because it is

located ___________ other islands.
a. near b. very near c. far
from

AFRICA’S “THE GOOD ONE”

Direction: Write the letter of the correct answer on your answer sheet.

1. David Livingstone was ______________.

a. American
b. African
c. English

2. By profession, he was a ______________.

a. doctor
b. teacher
c. preacher

3. Dark Continent refers to ______________.

a. Australia
b. Africa
c. America

4. David Livingstone preferred to live among the _____________.

a. elitist Americans
b. African savages
c. English prisoners

5. Quinine is a kind of medicine for treating ______________.

a. malaria
b. pneumonia
c. tuberculosis

6. David’s life was dedicated to the well-being and progress of the _____________.
a. African natives
b. Australian natives
c. American Negroes

7. David was referred to as _____________.

a. The Good
 b. The Good One
c. The Strong One

8. On May 1, 1873, he died of _____________.

a. pneumonia
b. tubercolosis
c. malaria

9. In his chosen mission, David and his family had led ______________.
a. an easy life
b. a leisurely life
c. a hard life

The fact that he lived for many years and died in his chosen place of work showed that ____________.
a. he preferred to live there
b. he was forced to stay there
c. he was not accepted in other places