City Symphony

PicoBuddyUpper ElementaryFiction2 min read253 words
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City Symphony

Maya loved visiting her aunt in New York City. It wasn't just the tall buildings or the yummy street food; it was the sounds! Her small town was quiet, but New York sang a different song.

One morning, Maya and her aunt walked down a busy street. “Listen,” Aunt Sarah said, smiling. “What do you hear?”

Maya closed her eyes. Honk! A yellow taxi zoomed by. Brrrring! A bicycle bell chimed. Chirp, chirp! Even in the city, birds sang their songs. “Cars, bikes, and birds!” Maya exclaimed.

They walked past a construction site. Bang! Crash! Workers were building something new. The loud noises made Maya jump. Aunt Sarah chuckled. “That’s the sound of progress, Maya! They’re building a new library.”

Next, they stopped at a park. Drip, drop! A fountain splashed water. Children laughed as they played. An ice cream truck played a cheerful tune. Ding-a-ling! Maya giggled, already craving a sweet treat.

Later, they rode the subway. Rumble, rumble! The train shook as it sped through the tunnels. A musician played a saxophone. Wooo! The sound echoed through the station. Maya tapped her foot to the music.

Glossary
Symphony:
A long piece of music usually played by an orchestra.
Construction:
The act of building something.
Echoed:
When a sound bounces back so you hear it again.
progress:
Improvement or movement toward completing a goal or making something better.
craving:
Having a very strong desire or wish for something.
performer:
A person who entertains an audience by playing music, acting, or dancing.

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Preview questions from this passageShow
  1. 1What did Maya love about visiting New York City?
  2. 2What sounds did Maya hear on the busy street?

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About this fiction passage for Upper Elementary

“City Symphony” is a fiction reading passage about City Sounds, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (253 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

Is this passage free?

Yes. With a free account, you can read “City Symphony” online and download a printable PDF worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

What reading level is “City Symphony”?

It’s written for Upper Elementary — a fiction text about City Sounds, about a 2-minute read (253 words).

What’s included with this passage?

An illustrated reading passage, a glossary of key terms, comprehension questions with an answer key, and an interactive quiz.

Can I adapt it for my students?

Yes. Remix is included with Pro and Max for adapting it to another grade level or language.
    City Symphony: A Story of New York Sounds | PicoBuddy