Reading Comprehension-1

Up to the Mountaintop-Week 2 Day 1

            I like challenges, but this one was almost too difficult. I had begged Mom to take me on a completely new adventure for my sixteenth birthday. Now, here we were, just Mom and me with our guide, Milo, standing on the shore of Lake Arenal in costa Rica. Towering above the lake was Volcan Arenal, one of the active volcanoes in the region. I watched as the volcano spit lava and cough up big boulders. Luckily, we were headed in the other direction.

            Milo greeted us in Spanish and helped us mount our horses. Getting on my horse was difficult, but controlling it was a little easier. We started our tour. The guidebook said we’d cross three rivers. As we splashed through a stream, I asked, “Was that the first river?”

            “I don’t think so, Katie,” Mom said wryly.

            Soon enough, we came to the first river. There was no mistaking it. I felt sick to my stomach when I saw that the far shore was half a football field away! The 4-foot-deep river flowed over boulders. So much for dry shoes—or jeans.

            After two more rivers, the trail got even steeper and muddier. With each step of the horses’ hooves, there were loud squishing and sucking noises. The rainforest was magnificent and absolutely beautiful. But I wondered whether my horse could keep his balance in the knee-high mud. What did I know about horses? I imagined my mare stumbling on rocks hidden underneath the sludge—and us crashing over a cliff and being swept away by lava.

            Three terrifying course later, we came to a corral. Were we stopping? To one side was a gorgeous view of the lake and volcano, and to the other, a brightly painted restaurant. “Okay,” I laughed nervously. “That was terrifying, but I’m so glad we did it!”

Strategy Practice: Think of a personal experience that is similar to Katie’s experience.

Skill Practice: Read each question and select the best answer.