Marcus Visits the State House
Marcus steps off the bus with his class. They are in Columbia, South Carolina, at the State House.
“Look up!” says his friend Ben.
Marcus tips his head back. A big dome rises over the building. Tall white columns stand by the steps.
Inside, the class meets a guide named Ms. Hill. She tells them that people make laws for South Carolina here.
Marcus holds a small pad and a pencil. His class will draw one thing they see on the trip. Marcus wants to find just the right thing.
The class walks through a wide hall. Their shoes tap on the floor. Marcus sees a big staircase and starts to draw it.
“Time to go on,” says Ms. Hill.
Marcus looks at his pad. He has only two lines. He sighs and follows the class.
Next, Ms. Hill shows them a room where lawmakers meet. Marcus tries to draw the rows of desks. But before he can finish, it is time to leave the room.
On the way out, Marcus spots Ben drawing a column. Ben’s pencil moves fast.
“I can’t finish a whole room,” Marcus whispers.
Ben looks at his own pad. “I’m not drawing the whole building,” he says. “Just one part.”
- dome:
- A rounded roof or top on a building.
- columns:
- Tall posts that hold up or decorate part of a building.
- laws:
- Rules that people in a place must follow.
- guide:
- A person who shows others around a place.
- sighs:
- Breathes out slowly, often to show a feeling.
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Main Idea
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Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Where does Marcus go with his class?
- 2Who guides the class inside the State House?
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About this short story passage for Lower Elementary
“Marcus Visits the State House” is a short story reading passage about A class visit to the South Carolina State House, written for Lower Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (273 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.