Alice and the Ice: A Paralympic Dream
Alice and the Ice: A Paralympic Dream
Alice loved the snow. Even though she couldn't see it the way others did, she felt it – the cold tickle on her skin, the soft crunch under her boots. Alice was visually impaired, but that didn't stop her from dreaming big, especially when it came to winter sports.
A Different Kind of Sight
Alice lost her sight gradually as a young child. But instead of giving up, she learned to use her other senses. Her hearing became sharper. Her sense of touch grew more sensitive. She could "see" the world through sound and feeling. And she loved to ski.
Finding Her Way on Skis
Skiing was challenging at first. Alice had to rely on a guide who skied ahead, calling out directions. "Left!" "Right!" "Straight ahead!" Alice listened carefully, trusting her guide's voice and the feel of the snow beneath her skis. With practice, she grew faster and more confident.
The Paralympic Goal
Alice dreamed of competing in the Winter Paralympics, a competition for athletes with disabilities. It was a huge goal, but Alice was determined. She trained hard every day, pushing herself to be stronger and faster. She practiced turning, racing, and listening to her guide.
Facing Challenges
- Visually Impaired:
- Having a reduced ability to see.
- Paralympics:
- A sports competition for athletes with disabilities.
- Guide:
- A person who helps someone find their way.
- Determination:
- Firmness of purpose; not giving up.
- gradually:
- Slowly over an extended period of time rather than all at once.
- frustrated:
- Feeling upset, annoyed, or discouraged because something is difficult or not going as planned.
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Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What is Alice's favorite thing about snow, even though she can't see it in the same way as others?
- 2How did Alice learn to 'see' the world after losing her sight?
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About this biography passage for Upper Elementary
“Alice and the Ice: A Paralympic Dream” is a biography reading passage about Paralympics, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (397 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.