Page 15 - Reading Success B1

The American flag has thirteen red and white stripes. It also has a blue
rectangle on its left side. There are fifty small, white stars inside it. The American

flag has other names. It is called the Stars and Stripes or Old Glory. It is also
called the Star-Spangled Banner. The American flag is seen at public buildings

and homes. It is used during holidays such as Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, and Flag Day. It is also used during other important holidays.

Flags were commonly used during the Revolution. In 1775, Congress ordered
three people to create a flag. The flag had two crosses on a blue rectangle at the

corner. It also had thirteen red and white stripes. It was shown to the public on
January 2, 1776. The next flag was made by Betsy Ross in her small room on

Arch Street. It had thirteen white stars forming a circle. These were on a blue
rectangle on the left side. It also had the same thirteen red and white stripes.

This was the first flag of the United States of America.
Today, there are fifty stars on the flag. The fifty stars are the fifty states of the

United States. The thirteen stripes are the colonies that fought against Britain.
The blue rectangle is called the "union". This part of the flag is used on boats and

ships. It is also called the union jack. The flag means freedom to the American
people.

Main Idea

What is the main idea of this story?

a. the American flag

b. thirteen red and white stripes
c. fifty states of the United States

d. the Union Jack

18_Reading Success B 1