Explanation:
excerpt 1
Early that morning, a young, blue-eyed detective in a beige coat stood in the open doorway of the motel room, closing an umbrella. A policeman friend had secretly allowed the detective to enter the room with the understanding that nothing would be touched. Though this restriction made the job more difficult, the confident detective knew that well-trained eyes could find a lot of clues on their own. Suddenly, the detective was nearly knocked off balance by a muddy dog chasing a black cat into the room.
excerpt 2
The minimum age for obtaining a driver's license should be lowered from sixteen to fifteen. If fifteen-year-olds can drive with a special driver's permit, why not just lower the legal age for a license to fifteen? Since most fifteen-year-olds are getting ready to get a job anyway, they need a license earlier so they can start looking for employment. Most importantly, if fifteen year olds were allowed to drive earlier, there would be less of a need to have school buses. Students could start driving themselves to school a year earlier.
excerpt 3
Like me, you probably could make the move. The move, that is, to eat better meals and to do something active every day. It’s nice just to feel better. It’s even better to improve my grades as a result. In fact, I’ve done well on my last three geometry tests. It just may be that peanut butter and banana French toast! My dad and I both are proud.
When are you going to make the move?
excerpt 4
The shabby, old piano had belonged to Lani's grandmother and, from the look of it, had belonged to others before her. The piano stood neglected in the living room until Lani was two years old and had grown tall enough to reach the keys. Lani couldn't see them, but she knew the piano keys were magical. Even then, she felt reverence for the piano as she touched it gently, never banging on the keys.
