Reading "One Hundred Dollars"

 Read the story. Then answer the questions

Leonard James is a homeless man. For him, life is always hard. He is always hungry. His shoes have holes in them. He needs a haircut. His clothes are old and dirty. “What I would do with one hundred dollars!” Leonard says. This is a game he likes to play with himself to take his mind off things. He is walking down the street on a Thursday night. The winter air is cold on his face. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new socks,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a haircut,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new pants,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a hamburger,” he says. His stomach rumbles at the thought. “If I had….” Leonard looks down at the sidewalk. He cannot believe what he sees! Someone has lost his wallet. Leonard picks it up. Inside are five twenty-dollar bills. “One hundred dollars!” Leonard says. He is very excited. “Now I can buy everything I want!” Then Leonard begins to think. “But this is not my money,” he says. Leonard goes to the police station. He gives a police officer the wallet and money. “Thank you,” says the police officer. “You are a very honest man.” Leonard smiles. He turns around and begins to leave the police station. “Hold on,” the police officer says. He reaches in his own pocket and gives Leonard ten dollars. “Get yourself something to eat.”

1. What is life like for Leonard?

Read the story. Then answer the questions

Leonard James is a homeless man. For him, life is always hard. He is always hungry. His shoes have holes in them. He needs a haircut. His clothes are old and dirty. “What I would do with one hundred dollars!” Leonard says. This is a game he likes to play with himself to take his mind off things. He is walking down the street on a Thursday night. The winter air is cold on his face. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new socks,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a haircut,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new pants,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a hamburger,” he says. His stomach rumbles at the thought. “If I had….” Leonard looks down at the sidewalk. He cannot believe what he sees! Someone has lost his wallet. Leonard picks it up. Inside are five twenty-dollar bills. “One hundred dollars!” Leonard says. He is very excited. “Now I can buy everything I want!” Then Leonard begins to think. “But this is not my money,” he says. Leonard goes to the police station. He gives a police officer the wallet and money. “Thank you,” says the police officer. “You are a very honest man.” Leonard smiles. He turns around and begins to leave the police station. “Hold on,” the police officer says. He reaches in his own pocket and gives Leonard ten dollars. “Get yourself something to eat.”

2. How does the reader know that Leonard is poor?

I. He finds a wallet.

II. He has no home.

III. He is always hungry.

Read the story. Then answer the questions

Leonard James is a homeless man. For him, life is always hard. He is always hungry. His shoes have holes in them. He needs a haircut. His clothes are old and dirty. “What I would do with one hundred dollars!” Leonard says. This is a game he likes to play with himself to take his mind off things. He is walking down the street on a Thursday night. The winter air is cold on his face. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new socks,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a haircut,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new pants,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a hamburger,” he says. His stomach rumbles at the thought. “If I had….” Leonard looks down at the sidewalk. He cannot believe what he sees! Someone has lost his wallet. Leonard picks it up. Inside are five twenty-dollar bills. “One hundred dollars!” Leonard says. He is very excited. “Now I can buy everything I want!” Then Leonard begins to think. “But this is not my money,” he says. Leonard goes to the police station. He gives a police officer the wallet and money. “Thank you,” says the police officer. “You are a very honest man.” Leonard smiles. He turns around and begins to leave the police station. “Hold on,” the police officer says. He reaches in his own pocket and gives Leonard ten dollars. “Get yourself something to eat.”

3. Why does Leonard think about what he would do with a hundred dollars?

Read the story. Then answer the questions

Leonard James is a homeless man. For him, life is always hard. He is always hungry. His shoes have holes in them. He needs a haircut. His clothes are old and dirty. “What I would do with one hundred dollars!” Leonard says. This is a game he likes to play with himself to take his mind off things. He is walking down the street on a Thursday night. The winter air is cold on his face. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new socks,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a haircut,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new pants,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a hamburger,” he says. His stomach rumbles at the thought. “If I had….” Leonard looks down at the sidewalk. He cannot believe what he sees! Someone has lost his wallet. Leonard picks it up. Inside are five twenty-dollar bills. “One hundred dollars!” Leonard says. He is very excited. “Now I can buy everything I want!” Then Leonard begins to think. “But this is not my money,” he says. Leonard goes to the police station. He gives a police officer the wallet and money. “Thank you,” says the police officer. “You are a very honest man.” Leonard smiles. He turns around and begins to leave the police station. “Hold on,” the police officer says. He reaches in his own pocket and gives Leonard ten dollars. “Get yourself something to eat.”

4. What time of year is it?

Read the story. Then answer the questions

Leonard James is a homeless man. For him, life is always hard. He is always hungry. His shoes have holes in them. He needs a haircut. His clothes are old and dirty. “What I would do with one hundred dollars!” Leonard says. This is a game he likes to play with himself to take his mind off things. He is walking down the street on a Thursday night. The winter air is cold on his face. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new socks,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a haircut,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new pants,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a hamburger,” he says. His stomach rumbles at the thought. “If I had….” Leonard looks down at the sidewalk. He cannot believe what he sees! Someone has lost his wallet. Leonard picks it up. Inside are five twenty-dollar bills. “One hundred dollars!” Leonard says. He is very excited. “Now I can buy everything I want!” Then Leonard begins to think. “But this is not my money,” he says. Leonard goes to the police station. He gives a police officer the wallet and money. “Thank you,” says the police officer. “You are a very honest man.” Leonard smiles. He turns around and begins to leave the police station. “Hold on,” the police officer says. He reaches in his own pocket and gives Leonard ten dollars. “Get yourself something to eat.”

5. What does Leonard say he would do with a hundred dollars?

I. get a haircut

II. buy new clothes

III. get a hotel room

Read the story. Then answer the questions

Leonard James is a homeless man. For him, life is always hard. He is always hungry. His shoes have holes in them. He needs a haircut. His clothes are old and dirty. “What I would do with one hundred dollars!” Leonard says. This is a game he likes to play with himself to take his mind off things. He is walking down the street on a Thursday night. The winter air is cold on his face. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new socks,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a haircut,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new pants,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a hamburger,” he says. His stomach rumbles at the thought. “If I had….” Leonard looks down at the sidewalk. He cannot believe what he sees! Someone has lost his wallet. Leonard picks it up. Inside are five twenty-dollar bills. “One hundred dollars!” Leonard says. He is very excited. “Now I can buy everything I want!” Then Leonard begins to think. “But this is not my money,” he says. Leonard goes to the police station. He gives a police officer the wallet and money. “Thank you,” says the police officer. “You are a very honest man.” Leonard smiles. He turns around and begins to leave the police station. “Hold on,” the police officer says. He reaches in his own pocket and gives Leonard ten dollars. “Get yourself something to eat.”

6. Why does Leonard's stomach rumble?

Read the story. Then answer the questions

Leonard James is a homeless man. For him, life is always hard. He is always hungry. His shoes have holes in them. He needs a haircut. His clothes are old and dirty. “What I would do with one hundred dollars!” Leonard says. This is a game he likes to play with himself to take his mind off things. He is walking down the street on a Thursday night. The winter air is cold on his face. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new socks,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a haircut,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new pants,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a hamburger,” he says. His stomach rumbles at the thought. “If I had….” Leonard looks down at the sidewalk. He cannot believe what he sees! Someone has lost his wallet. Leonard picks it up. Inside are five twenty-dollar bills. “One hundred dollars!” Leonard says. He is very excited. “Now I can buy everything I want!” Then Leonard begins to think. “But this is not my money,” he says. Leonard goes to the police station. He gives a police officer the wallet and money. “Thank you,” says the police officer. “You are a very honest man.” Leonard smiles. He turns around and begins to leave the police station. “Hold on,” the police officer says. He reaches in his own pocket and gives Leonard ten dollars. “Get yourself something to eat.”

7. “He cannot believe what he sees.” What is another way to write this sentence?

Read the story. Then answer the questions

Leonard James is a homeless man. For him, life is always hard. He is always hungry. His shoes have holes in them. He needs a haircut. His clothes are old and dirty. “What I would do with one hundred dollars!” Leonard says. This is a game he likes to play with himself to take his mind off things. He is walking down the street on a Thursday night. The winter air is cold on his face. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new socks,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a haircut,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new pants,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a hamburger,” he says. His stomach rumbles at the thought. “If I had….” Leonard looks down at the sidewalk. He cannot believe what he sees! Someone has lost his wallet. Leonard picks it up. Inside are five twenty-dollar bills. “One hundred dollars!” Leonard says. He is very excited. “Now I can buy everything I want!” Then Leonard begins to think. “But this is not my money,” he says. Leonard goes to the police station. He gives a police officer the wallet and money. “Thank you,” says the police officer. “You are a very honest man.” Leonard smiles. He turns around and begins to leave the police station. “Hold on,” the police officer says. He reaches in his own pocket and gives Leonard ten dollars. “Get yourself something to eat.”

8. What kind of man does Leonard seem to be?

Read the story. Then answer the questions

Leonard James is a homeless man. For him, life is always hard. He is always hungry. His shoes have holes in them. He needs a haircut. His clothes are old and dirty. “What I would do with one hundred dollars!” Leonard says. This is a game he likes to play with himself to take his mind off things. He is walking down the street on a Thursday night. The winter air is cold on his face. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new socks,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a haircut,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new pants,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a hamburger,” he says. His stomach rumbles at the thought. “If I had….” Leonard looks down at the sidewalk. He cannot believe what he sees! Someone has lost his wallet. Leonard picks it up. Inside are five twenty-dollar bills. “One hundred dollars!” Leonard says. He is very excited. “Now I can buy everything I want!” Then Leonard begins to think. “But this is not my money,” he says. Leonard goes to the police station. He gives a police officer the wallet and money. “Thank you,” says the police officer. “You are a very honest man.” Leonard smiles. He turns around and begins to leave the police station. “Hold on,” the police officer says. He reaches in his own pocket and gives Leonard ten dollars. “Get yourself something to eat.”

9. As used at the end of the story, what does it mean to be honest?

Read the story. Then answer the questions

Leonard James is a homeless man. For him, life is always hard. He is always hungry. His shoes have holes in them. He needs a haircut. His clothes are old and dirty. “What I would do with one hundred dollars!” Leonard says. This is a game he likes to play with himself to take his mind off things. He is walking down the street on a Thursday night. The winter air is cold on his face. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new socks,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a haircut,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new pants,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a hamburger,” he says. His stomach rumbles at the thought. “If I had….” Leonard looks down at the sidewalk. He cannot believe what he sees! Someone has lost his wallet. Leonard picks it up. Inside are five twenty-dollar bills. “One hundred dollars!” Leonard says. He is very excited. “Now I can buy everything I want!” Then Leonard begins to think. “But this is not my money,” he says. Leonard goes to the police station. He gives a police officer the wallet and money. “Thank you,” says the police officer. “You are a very honest man.” Leonard smiles. He turns around and begins to leave the police station. “Hold on,” the police officer says. He reaches in his own pocket and gives Leonard ten dollars. “Get yourself something to eat.”

10. How does Leonard seem to feel about what he has done?

Read the story. Then answer the questions

Leonard James is a homeless man. For him, life is always hard. He is always hungry. His shoes have holes in them. He needs a haircut. His clothes are old and dirty. “What I would do with one hundred dollars!” Leonard says. This is a game he likes to play with himself to take his mind off things. He is walking down the street on a Thursday night. The winter air is cold on his face. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new socks,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a haircut,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new pants,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a hamburger,” he says. His stomach rumbles at the thought. “If I had….” Leonard looks down at the sidewalk. He cannot believe what he sees! Someone has lost his wallet. Leonard picks it up. Inside are five twenty-dollar bills. “One hundred dollars!” Leonard says. He is very excited. “Now I can buy everything I want!” Then Leonard begins to think. “But this is not my money,” he says. Leonard goes to the police station. He gives a police officer the wallet and money. “Thank you,” says the police officer. “You are a very honest man.” Leonard smiles. He turns around and begins to leave the police station. “Hold on,” the police officer says. He reaches in his own pocket and gives Leonard ten dollars. “Get yourself something to eat.”

11. What does the police officer give Leonard?

Read the story. Then answer the questions

Leonard James is a homeless man. For him, life is always hard. He is always hungry. His shoes have holes in them. He needs a haircut. His clothes are old and dirty. “What I would do with one hundred dollars!” Leonard says. This is a game he likes to play with himself to take his mind off things. He is walking down the street on a Thursday night. The winter air is cold on his face. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new socks,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a haircut,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new pants,” he says. He continues to walk down the street. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a hamburger,” he says. His stomach rumbles at the thought. “If I had….” Leonard looks down at the sidewalk. He cannot believe what he sees! Someone has lost his wallet. Leonard picks it up. Inside are five twenty-dollar bills. “One hundred dollars!” Leonard says. He is very excited. “Now I can buy everything I want!” Then Leonard begins to think. “But this is not my money,” he says. Leonard goes to the police station. He gives a police officer the wallet and money. “Thank you,” says the police officer. “You are a very honest man.” Leonard smiles. He turns around and begins to leave the police station. “Hold on,” the police officer says. He reaches in his own pocket and gives Leonard ten dollars. “Get yourself something to eat.”

12. Why does the police officer give Leonard ten dollars?