Mae Jemison: Reaching for the Stars

Lexile: 750 | Grade: 4

Passage

Mae Jemison always looked up. As a child, she loved learning about space, stars, and science. She also enjoyed dancing and acting, but her biggest dream was to become an astronaut.

Mae was born in 1956 in Alabama and grew up in Chicago. She was a curious and hardworking student. Sometimes, people didn’t take her seriously because she was a girl who liked science. But that didn’t stop her.

She studied chemical engineering and later became a doctor. She even worked as a medical officer in West Africa before joining NASA.

In 1992, Mae Jemison made history as the first Black woman to travel to space. She spent eight days aboard the space shuttle *Endeavour*, conducting science experiments in space.

After retiring from NASA, Mae continued to inspire others. She started a science camp for students and spoke around the world about chasing your dreams—no matter how big they are.

Mae Jemison showed that with courage, curiosity, and hard work, you can reach the stars—literally.

Questions

Q1: What is this passage mostly about?

  • A. A space shuttle called *Endeavour*.
  • B. How to become an engineer.
  • C. The life and achievements of Mae Jemison.
  • D. Why science is the most important subject in school.

Q2: What happened after Mae became a doctor?

  • A. She flew to the moon.
  • B. She studied stars and planets.
  • C. She worked in Africa and later joined NASA.
  • D. She taught science at a school in Chicago.

Q3: What does the word 'retiring' mean in the sentence: 'After retiring from NASA, Mae continued to inspire others'?

  • A. Taking a short break from work
  • B. Leaving a job after completing it
  • C. Getting tired during a speech
  • D. Flying back into space

Q4: Why is Mae Jemison an important figure in history?

  • A. She built the first rocket ship.
  • B. She was the first Black woman to travel to space.
  • C. She was the youngest person to fly a plane.
  • D. She discovered a new planet.

Q5: What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?

  • A. To explain how rockets work
  • B. To teach readers how to become doctors
  • C. To inform readers about Mae Jemison’s life and encourage them to follow their dreams
  • D. To tell readers to become astronauts

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Answers & Reasoning

Q1: What is this passage mostly about?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The passage tells the story of Mae Jemison’s life and accomplishments, especially her journey into space.

Q2: What happened after Mae became a doctor?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The passage states she worked as a medical officer in West Africa before becoming an astronaut.

Q3: What does the word 'retiring' mean in the sentence: 'After retiring from NASA, Mae continued to inspire others'?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: In this context, 'retiring' means she left NASA after her space career but continued inspiring people in new ways.

Q4: Why is Mae Jemison an important figure in history?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: The passage explains that Mae made history by being the first Black woman astronaut to go into space.

Q5: What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The passage highlights Mae’s journey and ends with a motivational message, showing that dreams are possible with effort.