We use the ‘Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level Formula’ to present scores as per US grade level. See all the grade levels here. Following articles, stories and features are appropriate for people at reading level of Grade 4 (Age 9-10 years). More information about Flesch–Kincaid readability tests can be found here.
153 items in this section. Displaying page 8 of 16
The Gifts
Seema and Reema were highly excited. Their uncle was coming today, from Mumbai. It wasn’t the actual arrival that excited them, it was the thought of the gifts he would bring for them. There would certainly be gifts, of that they were sure. No self respecting uncle would arrive at a brother’s house without gifts for his eight year old and nine year old nieces. But there was nothing they could do but wait. So they waited....
The Spirit of Christmas
Tony counted the notes and coins. He had Rs. 163 in all. He put the money in his pocket, the money he had saved from his part time job. Today was Christmas eve and he had some important shopping to do. As he walked towards the market he thought of Christmas eve the previous year. How lovely everything had been. His father, Jacob Kurien, and he had decorated the Christmas tree. He had gone with his mum, Janet and dad to the church to attend the midnight mass....
The Bridge Builder
An old man, going a lone highway, Came, at the evening, cold and gray, To a chasm, vast, and deep, and wide, Through which was flowing a sullen tide. The old man crossed in the twilight dim; The sullen stream had no fears for him; But he turned, when safe on the other side, And built a bridge to span the tide. “Old man,“said a fellow pilgrim, near, “You are wasting strength with building here;...
Gappu – The Brave
In a busy town in south India was a zoo. In it lived a hippopotamus whose name was Gappu. Gappu was a kind and gentle creature who loved children. However the children always made fun of him and this made him very sad. “See how ugly that creature is.” “Yes, it has such a thick, oily skin and such a horrible face.” “Isn’t it slow, fat and stupid looking?” The kids would yell to each other making faces at poor Gappu....
Tiger King
Oh tiger, you’re so regal Majestic and tall With your bright and stripe-y coat You look the king of all! Oh tiger, you’re so handsome Your cubs are lovely too They say, the cat’s an aunt of yours- Do tell me, is this true? Tiger King [Illustration by Anup Singh] (C) Swapna Dutta
Storm Petrel: A Bird that Walks on Water
You must have heard of St. Peter, the saint, who is said to have walked on water. Well, there is a bird which is named after the saint, because it looks as if it is walking on water. It is called the stormy petrel. It is not known whether the petrel actually walks on water. But, it somehow manages to stay above water. This gives the impression that it is walking on water. Wilson’s Storm Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus): A bird that seems to walk on water But, if a storm arises, the petrel cannot “walk on water”....
Meenu's New Pet
Meenu’s mother was worried about her. A week had passed since their dog Tommy’s disappearance, and her daughter had still not got over it. Meenu adored Tommy, who had been her faithful companion since her third birthday. He had become a part of the family as he was a loving and well trained dog. Meenu simply adored him. And Tommy, on his part, followed her around everywhere. During the summer holidays, the family would usually go to Baroda, where Meenu’s grandparents lived....
From Heaven To Hell
Kaz Suyeishi will never forget the quiet peace of the cloudless August morning in 1945. The 18-year-old was in the front garden of her home in Hiroshima. She was chatting with a friend, when a gleam of silver in the sky caught her attention. “It looked like an angel,” she said. “It was the most beautiful airplane. It looked like heaven and peace.” From Heaven To Hell [Image Source: Darkness of a Thousand Suns: Causes, Complexion and Consequences of the Nuclear Arms Race, by Delhi Science Forum] The plane was ‘Enola Gay’, dropping the world’s first atomic bomb, nicknamed ‘Little Boy’, over the Japanese city, on August 6....
Killing a Tree Softly
How does a tree die? When it is cut down with an axe. But, sometimes, we may end up hurting or killing a tree without meaning to. It may happen when we carve our names or draw a heart on a tree trunk by cutting away the bark of the tree with a knife. For, along with the bark we also cut away an important tissue called phloem. This tissue carries the food made by the leaves to the other parts of the tree....
The Dress
One evening, Maya was making plans for her birthday. She sat in the living room with her father and instructed him on what to get for her. “I want a chocolate cake…only a chocolate cake…and white candles on top, please ensure they are white…and five-differently coloured balloons, and of course, Nina’s blue dress,” she told him gravely. Her father who was writing all this down, looked up. “Why Nina’s blue dress?” he asked. “Because it is the only one that is the colour of the sky,” she answered....