A Simple Way of Life
Lancaster County is a green and sunny place in Pennsylvania. A group of people known as the Amish live there. Long ago, their families came to America so they could practice their faith in peace.
Amish families choose to live a simple life. They do not have electricity in their houses. Instead of turning on light switches, they light oil lamps when the sun goes down. They do not drive cars or play on computers. When they travel to town, they ride in dark buggies pulled by horses.
Working together is very important to the Amish. Many families live on big farms where they grow sweet corn and care for cows. When a family needs a new barn, all the neighbors gather to help build it in just one day. This special tradition shows how much they care for each other.
The Amish also dress in plain clothes with no fancy buttons or bright patterns. They cook fresh food from their gardens and build sturdy wooden furniture. People from all over the country visit Lancaster County to see how the Amish live quietly and happily.
- electricity:
- A form of energy that powers lights, computers, and home machines.
- buggies:
- Light carriages with wheels that are pulled by horses.
- tradition:
- A special belief or way of doing things that is passed down over time.
- plain:
- Simple and not fancy or decorated.
- sturdy:
- Strong and well-made.
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Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
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Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Where do the Amish people in this passage live?
- 2Why did the families of the Amish first move to America?
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About this informational passage for 2nd Grade
“A Simple Way of Life” is a informational reading passage about Amish Culture, written for 2nd Grade. It takes about 1 minute to read (185 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.