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Eyes on the Water

2nd Grade Common Core RI.2.1 Interview 133 words ⏱ 15 minESL A1

An interview with Ruthie, a lifeguard on the beaches of Long Beach, about how she became one, the most important rule at sea and what is hard about the job.

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Name: ______________________   Date: ____________

Every summer, thousands of people swim at the beaches of Long Beach. Our reporter, Emma, spoke with Ruthie, a lifeguard there.

Emma: How did you become a lifeguard?

Ruthie: I grew up near the sea, and I swam every day. When I was eighteen, I took a hard course for six months. I learned first aid and how to save people in big waves.

Emma: What is the most important rule at the beach?

Ruthie: Swim only when there is a lifeguard! Many people think they are strong swimmers, but the sea can change very quickly.

Emma: Do you like your job?

Ruthie: I love it. But it is not just sitting in the sun. I have to watch the water all the time. I can't look away, not even for one second.

📘 Word bank
lifeguard
a person who watches swimmers and saves them from danger
course
a series of lessons
first aid
basic help given to a hurt person before a doctor comes
save
to keep someone safe from danger
waves
moving lines of water on the sea
rule
a statement of what you must or must not do
quickly
in a short time
look away
to turn your eyes to something else

✏️ Questions

  1. Key details

    Where does Ruthie work?

  2. Key details

    How long was Ruthie's lifeguard course?

  3. Key details

    What did Ruthie learn in the course?

  4. Inference

    Why should people swim only when there is a lifeguard?

  5. Fact, opinion & point of view

    How does Ruthie feel about her job?

  6. Inference

    Ruthie says her job is "not just sitting in the sun". What does she have to do?

  7. Word meaning

    In the last answer, "look away" means…

Questions

  1. Where does Ruthie work?

    1. At a swimming pool in Portland.
    2. At the beaches of Long Beach.
    3. At a hospital.
    4. On a boat.

  2. How long was Ruthie's lifeguard course?

    ______________________________________________________________

  3. What did Ruthie learn in the course?

    1. How to sell ice cream.
    2. How to build boats.
    3. First aid and how to save people in big waves.
    4. How to teach children to swim.

  4. Why should people swim only when there is a lifeguard?

    1. Because the sea can change very quickly.
    2. Because the water is cold.
    3. Because it costs money.
    4. Because lifeguards feel lonely.

  5. How does Ruthie feel about her job?

    1. She thinks it is boring.
    2. She wants a new job.
    3. She is afraid of the sea.
    4. She loves it.

  6. Ruthie says her job is "not just sitting in the sun". What does she have to do?

    ______________________________________________________________

  7. In the last answer, "look away" means…

    1. look very carefully
    2. look at something else
    3. close your eyes and sleep
    4. go home

Answer key

  1. b) At the beaches of Long Beach.
  2. Six months.
  3. c) First aid and how to save people in big waves.
  4. a) Because the sea can change very quickly.
  5. d) She loves it.
  6. She has to watch the water all the time.
  7. b) look at something else

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