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World War II
Rations, Salvage, and Victory Gardens



Rations, Salvage, and Victory Gardens
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 8 to 9
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   7.68

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    dibs, junked, scour, unprecedented, scrap, ration, earning, domestic, reused, recognition, canned, salvage, nylon, patriotic, total, personal
     content words:    Second World War, Victory Garden, Agriculture Department, Victory Gardens, United States


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Rations, Salvage, and Victory Gardens
By Mary Lynn Bushong
  

1     As America became involved in the Second World War, things had to change at home. More energy and materials were funneled into the war effort, leaving fewer things for domestic or home use.
 
2     When it became clear that shortages would occur, rationing laws were passed. War industries and the military had first dibs on most products like coal, steel, wood, rubber, gasoline, sugar, and coffee. What remained was doled out to the population at home.
 
3     Ration books were issued to every person. They stipulated what items and how much of those items you could have on a weekly basis. Gas for cars was limited, so instead of driving, you walked, rode a bike, or you stayed home. The slogan of the day was "use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without."
 
4     For those who didn't care to ration, there were stiff penalties. Breaking ration rules could land you in prison for ten years with a fine of up to $10,000. Even so, a black market soon emerged to supply hard to find items.

Paragraphs 5 to 12:
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