
Scroll down for printables.
A crowd assembles in the square outside a huge, pink palace. There is the sound of accordions, tango rhythm and popular songs. A woman in a fine dress emerges onto the balcony and begins to address the adoring mass. She breaks into song: “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.” The song moves from a plaintive near whisper to a full-bodied ballad in which the woman sings of her love for her country and its people. The courtyard below breaks into rapturous applause. The elegant figure takes her leave. All is well.
This all sounds like a fairy tale. Frankly, it is one. It’s a scene from the 1976 musical “Evita.” None of it really happened, but the people in it really did exist. This is a story about great figures of the 20th century, a century of upheaval and innovation. The country is Argentina, a long, narrow country named for a legendary land of silver. The pink palace is the Casa Rosada, an imposing mansion that houses Argentina’s president. And the woman singing on the balcony is his wife, Eva Peron.
Humble beginnings
Eva’s life is a real rags to riches story. In many ways, the truth of her life is even more remarkable than a fairy tale. She was born in a small town on the Argentine Pampas. The Pampas are the vast lowland plains that cover the eastern coastline of Argentina. The capital city, Buenos Aires, is situated in the north east of this region. This city is famous for its eclectic architecture and rich cultural heritage.
But Eva’s hometown was far from all of this. She came into the world on May 7, 1919, in the town of Los Toldos. Her father was relatively wealthy, but he had another family. When he died, Eva’s mother and the five children had to fend for themselves. This was an important moment for Eva. The rich, also known as the upper classes, shunned her and her siblings. We will see that relations between the rich and the poor remained important to her throughout her life.
Marriage
Eva was talented and charismatic. She could ingratiate herself with people and she was a natural leader. Above all, she was ambitious to overcome the limitations of her upbringing and earn her place in the ruling class. Perhaps she felt like this was her due. In any event, she moved to the capital city to work. There’s nothing particularly unusual about this. Young adults often move from rural areas to large cities, especially in difficult times when money is scarce. The 1930s were such a time.
TO BE CONTINUED…
.
.
.
Questions:

- What is the name of the song sung by the woman on the balcony? (Par. 1)
- How do we know the woman was dressed well? Name two. (Par. 1)
- Find a word in the passage (par. 1) that fits the following definition: “Expressing suffering or sadness; having a sad sound.”
- Do you know what a ballad is?
- Find a word in the passage (par. 1) that fits the following definition: “Showing extreme pleasure, love, or enthusiasm for someone or something.”
- What word in the passage is related to clapping?
- What is the name of the 1976 musical mentioned in the passage?
- What country is mentioned in the passage (par. 2)?
- Do you know in which continent Argentina is located?
- What is the name of Argentina’s presidential home?
- What is the name of the woman who sang on the balcony?
- Find an adverb in the passage (par. 2) that means “honestly.”
- Find a word in the passage (par. 2) that fits the following definition: “A new idea, device, or method.”
- Is the “land of silver” a real place? How do you know?
- What is the capital city of Argentina?
- What is Buenos Aires famous for?
- What does the phrase “rags to riches” tell us about Eva’s life story?
- Find a synonym for mixed (par. 3).
- In what year was Eva born?
- What is the name of her birth town?
- How many siblings did she have?
- Was Eva’s father very rich? How do you know?
- What does it mean to shun someone (par. 4)?
- Find an antonym for repugnant in the passage (par. 5). Repugnant means to cause a strong feeling of dislike or disgust.
- Find a phrase that means “to make people like you” (par. 5)
- Find an adjective that means “in short supply” (par. 5).
- Why do people move to cities?
.
.
Answers:

- “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina”
- She was wearing “a fine dress.” The paragraph also states, “The elegant figure takes her leave.”
- Plaintive
- A ballad is a kind of poem or song that tells a story; it can also be a love song.
- Rapturous
- Applause
- “Evita”
- Argentina
- South America
- Casa Rosada
- Eva Peron
- Frankly
- Innovation
- The word “legendary” is a give-away that “the land of silver” is not a real place. A legend is a story from the past that is believed by many people but cannot be proved to be true.
- Buenos Aires
- Its eclectic architecture and rich cultural heritage.
- She grew up poor and became rich.
- Eclectic
- 1919
- Los Toldos
- Four
- He was rich but not very rich, The was “relatively wealthy.”
- To avoid someone.
- Charismatic
- Ingratiate
- Scarce
- To find work.
.
.
Printables:
Comprehension worksheet – passage only
Comprehension worksheet – questions and answers only
Comprehension worksheet with questions and answers per paragraph
.
© Edublox
Overcoming learning barriers —
“It’s been six months … and already she is one of the top performers in her class”
I was told that my daughter would never make it in a mainstream school and that she had to be transferred to a remedial school... She is getting 6's and 7's and she is in mainstream school. Continue Reading
Zan’s Mom, South Africa Edublox Online Tutor December 21, 2013
Dyslexia case study presented at Kennesaw State University
The Edublox Program has given hope to a child who knew he was different, tried to fit in with his peers, and experienced failures in any aspects of school. His newly found confidence has allowed him to raise his hand in a classroom, dared him to try written material presented to him, and opened a world of "I can" instead of "I can't" on new material. Continue Reading
Carole Derrick, Primary Grades Teacher Edublox Online Tutor June 24, 2015
“His English has jumped from 42% to 58%; he is writing compositions that bring tears to my eyes”
Preneil was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of thirteen. His mother shares her son's progress after joining Edublox. Read the full story. Continue Reading
Devigi Pillay, South Africa Edublox Online Tutor January 26, 2016
“My dyslexic son doesn’t seem to be dyslexic anymore”
I never thought I would be writing this statement, but my dyslexic son doesn't seem to be dyslexic anymore! The symptoms have all disappeared. After all I've read on the subject of learning difficulties, this was not supposed to happen! Continue Reading
Laura Trudel, Canada Edublox Online Tutor November 12, 2016
“A program that truly stands up to [its] promises and offers hope to those who struggle”
We just received his first semester report card and I am so excited to say that he received an “A” in both English and Math. Continue Reading
Teresa M., California, US Edublox Online Tutor November 28, 2016
“He is devouring books at a rapid rate”
Six months ago reading a book was tortuous for him because even if he read it his reading was so faltering and full of mistakes that he couldn’t comprehend the text. Continue Reading
Abi Stinson, UK Edublox Online Tutor November 29, 2016
“After six weeks the improvements were very obvious”
The most noticeable improvement came with Math, because we were struggling trying to do his math at grade level (3rd grade), but then around six weeks into Edublox he could do his math at grade level (with the exception of telling time on a face clock and counting money). Continue Reading
Cindy B., Michigan, US Edublox Online Tutor December 1, 2016
“His reading age went up by 2 years in less than 6 months”
His spelling age improved as well and he also did really well in the end of year exams with his best results in most subjects. Continue Reading
Jenny & Greg, UK Edublox Online Tutor December 6, 2016
“In the first 9 weeks of school they have increased over 2 1/2 years”
Phonics just did not work. Last year they did not improve in their reading level all year. We started Edublox in June and already in the first 9 weeks of school they have increased over 2 1/2 years.... Their spelling has greatly improved and learning new words has become a game, not the dreaded chore it once was. Continue Reading
Nita Brist, Washington State, US Edublox Online Tutor December 11, 2016
“I feel as if part of my daughter’s mind was trapped, and Edublox set her free”
She is now almost an intuitive speller. Really, it's a miracle. Six months ago, her spelling tested at a Kindergarten level, and is now at a 6th grade level. This is just still so amazing to all of us who have struggled with her. Continue Reading
The Adams household in New Mexico Edublox Online Tutor December 15, 2016