Skills
 Introduction
 UNIT 1: Today's Travelers
 Chapter 1 A Family Sees America Together A Family Sees America Together
  An American Family travels across the country in a van. They want to see all 50 states and meet the different people of the United States.
  Courtney's Texas—Big History, Big Cities, Big Hearts
  The daughter of the family writes in her journal every day. She describes the places and the people. Today, she writes about Texas.
 Chapter 2 Volunteer Vacations Volunteer Vacations
  Many people like to take a vacation to relax. But some people use their vacations to do something different: they do volunteer work to help others. Who Volunteers?
  Many different kinds of people are volunteers. Some are young college graduates: others are senior citizens. But they all enjoy the work!
 UNIT 2: Family Life
 Chapter 3 How Alike Are Identical Twins? How Alike Are Identical Twins?
  Identical twins are not very common. Scientists study them to understand their differences and similarities. Diary of a Triplet Father
  This father has triplets! In his diary, he describes his busy life with his three children.
 Chapter 4 The Search for Happiness Through Adoption The Search for Happiness Through Adoption
  People adopt children for different reasons. However, they all love
  their adopted children and want a happy life together. Diary of an Adoptive Mother
  A woman is adopting a child from another country. In her diary she writes about her feelings, her hopes, and her dreams.
 UNIT 3: Technology in Our Everyday Lives
 Chapter 5 Laptops for the Classroom Laptops for the Classroom
  Some American universities give their students laptop computers to use for school work. Students can study anywhere! Banking at Home
  Many people can do all their banking without going to the bank. Instead,they can use their computers at home.
 Chapter 6 A New Way to Go A New Way to Go
  New scooters can take you anywhere. They are faster than walking, and they save energy, too. Young Inventors
  Young people use their imagination to make new, useful inventions. They can also win money for college at the same time.
 UNIT 4: Healthy Living
 Chapter 7 The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke
  Everyone knows that smoking is unhealthy. Now, we also know that the smoke from other people's cigarettes is dangerous to people who don't smoke.
  Smoking Facts and Figures
  Why do people start to smoke? How old are people when they smoke for the first time? Here are some key questions and their interesting answers.
 Chapter 8 A Healthy Diet for Everyone A Healthy Diet for Everyone
  What food is good for you? Some food can help you stay healthy, but some food can make you sick. Do you know which kinds of food to eat?
  Why Do I Eat When I'm Not Hungry?
  Sometimes people eat for other reasons besides hunger. However, there are steps you can take to avoid eating when you're not hungry.
 UNIT 5: International Scientists
 Chapter 9 Alfred Nobel: A Man of Peace Alfred Nobel: A Man of Peace
  The world remembers Alfred Nobel for different reasons. He wanted to be remembered as a peaceful man. Choosing Nobel Prizewinners
  It is a great honor to win a Nobel Prize. Different groups decide who the winners will be. Nobel Prize winners receive something else, too.
 Chapter 10 Marie Curie: A Twentieth-Century Woman Marie Curie: A Twentieth-Century Woman This great scientist was a very modern woman. She was the first female to receive the Nobel Prize. Irene Curie
  The daughter of the famous scientists continued her mother's work and also won a Nobel Prize
 UNIT 6: The Earth's Resources and Dangers
 Chapter 11 Oil as an Important World Resource Oil as an Important World Resource
  Oil is one of the world's most useful natural resources. People use it in many different ways. The DO IT Homestead
  An elderly woman who lived through the Kobe, Japan earthquake describes this frightening event.
  Word List