Practice Together
Read the passage aloud with your class. Find the root in each underlined word. Use it to help you figure out the meaning of the underlined word.
Our sixteenth president struggled to save the Union.
The future of the United States was in question in 1861. As President Abraham Lincoln took office, some southern states were thinking of dividing the Union. Leaders of those states were unhappy with the U.S. government.
They wanted to quit the nation and start a new one. Lincoln’s view was clear. The United States was indivisible. Every action Lincoln took as president was meant to end division and unify the country.
Try It!
Read the following passage. What does each underlined word mean? How do you know?
You don’t need to be elected to office to take part in government. In many states, people can take legislative action in other ways. In California, citizens can suggest ideas for new laws, taxes, and other state changes. They state their ideas in a proposition for voters to decide on. If enough voters unite to pass the proposition, it can become law.