5 28 relationships among ideas and events grade 5 reading informational text worksheet Worksheet

Along a dry river, early farmers built canals to move water to fields. At first, small family groups dug short channels. Over time, farms expanded and canals had to stretch farther. Because the canals crossed many fields, people needed rules about who could take water and when. Leaders organized work crews to repair canals after floods and to clear silt each year. In return, leaders gained influence because others depended on the water system. The passage shows how managing a shared resource can change social relationships by creating both cooperation and power structures.

A city considered raising its minimum wage. Supporters argued that higher pay would help families afford rent and groceries, which could reduce stress and increase spending at local stores. Some small business owners worried they would need to raise prices or cut hours to afford higher wages. Researchers studying past wage increases found mixed results: in many cases, worker pay rose with little change in employment, but effects varied by industry and by how large the increase was. The city planned a gradual increase over three years and offered tax credits for the smallest businesses. The passage shows how evidence and compromises shape policy when outcomes are uncertain.

Before sending a spacecraft to Mars, scientists consider “planetary protection.” If microbes from Earth ride along and survive, they could confuse future searches for Martian life. Therefore, spacecraft are cleaned and assembled in special rooms. At the same time, some researchers want to drill into icy areas that might hold water, which could be promising for finding life. But drilling in such places increases the risk of contamination. Mission planners must balance the goal of exploring the most promising sites with the responsibility to avoid spreading Earth microbes. The passage shows how scientific goals can clash with precautions, requiring careful decisions.