Sacramento: California's Capital City

PicoBuddyUpper ElementaryInformational2 min read290 words
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Sacramento: California's Capital City

Have you ever wondered where important decisions are made for the state of California? The answer is Sacramento! Sacramento is the capital city of California. That means it's where the state government works.

What is a Capital City?

A capital city is like the headquarters for a state or country. It's where the main government offices are located. Sacramento became the capital of California in 1854. Before that, other cities like Monterey and San Jose served as the capital.

How the California Government Works

The California government has three main parts, just like the United States government:

  • The Governor: The governor is like the president of California. They lead the state and make sure laws are followed. The governor works in the State Capitol building in Sacramento.
  • The Legislature: This is like the Congress of California. It's made up of two parts: the Senate and the Assembly. The people in the Legislature make laws for the state. They also meet in the State Capitol.
  • The Supreme Court: This is the highest court in California. The judges in the Supreme Court make sure laws are fair and follow the rules of the California Constitution.

Why Sacramento?

Glossary
Capital City:
The city where a state's government is located.
Legislature:
A group of people who make laws.
Governor:
The leader of a state's government.
government:
The group of official leaders who make laws and manage a city, state, or nation.
headquarters:
The main office or primary place where a group's leaders work.
trade:
The business of buying, selling, or exchanging goods and services.

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Preview questions from this passageShow
  1. 1What is the capital city of California?
  2. 2When did Sacramento become the capital of California?
Same Topic, Different Levels
Explore "California Government" at other reading levels in English.

Where this passage belongs

About this informational passage for Upper Elementary

“Sacramento: California's Capital City” is a informational reading passage about California Government, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (290 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 “Sacramento: California's Capital City” online and download a printable PDF worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

What reading level is “Sacramento: California's Capital City”?

It’s written for Upper Elementary — a informational text about California Government, about a 2-minute read (290 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.