Question

Growing up, Jesse Ozbat attended J.E.J. Moore Middle School in Virginia. He later became a captain in the U.S. Army. On May 20, 2012, his unit was attacked in Afghanistan. Captain Ozbat and two others were killed.

On Memorial Days since then, students at his former middle school gather to remember him and others. They perform music and read poetry. Students recite the names of service members from the area who were killed in wartime. With each name, a classmate plants a small American flag in the memorial garden. At the ceremony's closing, a trumpeter plays "Taps." This simple, haunting tune has been heard at military funerals since the Civil War.

Veterans Day on November 11 honors all who have served in the U.S. military. But Memorial Day is different. It honors the men and women who died while serving their country. In the United States, Memorial Day is observed every year on the last Monday of May. Many Americans think of the national holiday as a day off and the start of summer. They might take part in parades and picnics. However, the holiday's deeper meaning is found at solemn ceremonies like the one at Moore Middle School.

From Decoration Day to a National Holiday

What became Memorial Day began after the American Civil War (1861–1865). Historians think some 620,000 to 750,000 Union and Confederate troops perished in that conflict. It brought loss and grief to many families in the North and South.

After the war, communities held "Decoration Days." Citizens placed flowers and wreaths on the graves of the war dead. One such event took place in Charleston, South Carolina, on May 1, 1865. On that day, a group of Black Southerners—formerly enslaved, now free—organized a ceremony. They gave a proper burial to Union soldiers killed there. A year later, Waterloo, New York, held the first of its yearly observances. Today, the town claims the title of "Birthplace of Memorial Day."

Decoration Day became a national holiday after World War I (1914–1918). By then, it was widely known as Memorial Day. Now it honors all who died in the country's wars.

Places and Ways to Observe

Today, Americans in communities large and small commemorate Memorial Day. They organize events that often include parades. Marching bands fill downtowns with music. They are joined by military veterans and local service groups. Quieter observances take place as well. They still include decorating veterans' graves across the country. Thousands of U.S. service men and women are buried overseas as well. So, ceremonies are held around the world.

In the United States, Arlington National Cemetery has special importance. It is located near Washington, D.C. Arlington is the final resting place for thousands of American war dead. The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment is the official ceremonial unit there. For Memorial Day, its members place American flags beside about 228,000 headstones.

For the regiment, honoring those who gave their lives in service to their country never ends. Some guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The remains of unidentified service members rest inside. A guard is always on duty—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Which of these sentences states the main idea of the article?

A. On Memorial Day, people honor military men and women who died serving their country.
B. Marching bands are a part of many Memorial Day celebrations across the United States.
C. Memorial Day observations since the Civil War have included the decoration of graves.
D. Over Memorial Day weekend, some Americans take part in events like parades and picnics.

Answer 1

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

A. On Memorial Day, people honor military men and women who died serving their country.

Answer 2

The article states:

On Memorial Days since then, students at his former middle school gather to remember him and others. They perform music and read poetry. Students recite the names of service members from the area who were killed in wartime. With each name, a classmate plants a small American flag in the memorial garden.

In this passage, the word recite means __________.

to yell loudly
to bury deeply
to keep hidden
to read aloud

Answer 3

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

to read aloud

Answer 4

According to the article, which of these happened first?

a. Thousands of troops died fighting in the American Civil War.
b. Black Southerners held an early Decoration Day in Charleston, South Carolina.
c. The people of Waterloo, New York, held the first Decoration Day in the town.
d. Memorial Day became a national holiday in the United States.

Answer 5

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

a. Thousands of troops died fighting in the American Civil War.

Answer 6

According to the article, why are some Memorial Day celebrations held in other countries?

a. They are held to honor Americans who are serving on military bases.
b. They are held in countries that were once considered U.S. territories.
c. They are held in countries that have the most Americans living overseas.
d. They are held to honor the U.S. war dead who are buried overseas.

Answer 7

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

d. They are held to honor the U.S. war dead who are buried overseas.

Answer 8

The article states:

On Memorial Days since then, students at his former middle school gather to remember [Captain Ozbat] and others. They perform music and read poetry. Students recite the names of service members from the area who were killed in wartime. With each name, a classmate plants a small American flag in the memorial garden.

The author uses this passage mostly to help the reader know __________.

a. how people celebrated on the very first Memorial Day
b. why some people view Memorial Day as the start of summer
c. when Decoration Day became known as Memorial Day
d. what people today do to remember soldiers on Memorial Day

Answer 9

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

d. what people today do to remember soldiers on Memorial Day

Answer 10

Which is the closest synonym for the word commemorate, as it is used in the article?

deserve
allow
observe
support

Answer 11

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

observe