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Copernicus

Copernicus
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 6 to 7
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   7.75

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    astronomer, merely, economist, astronomy, diplomat, homeland, monetary, wealthy, basis, canon, physician, reform, mathematics, advisor, immediately, theory
     content words:    Astronomer Copernicus, Jan Matejko, Nicolaus Copernicus, Frombork Cathedral, Magnus Opus, Celestial Spheres

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Copernicus
By Mary Lynn Bushong 		  
1     Caption: "Astronomer Copernicus: Conversation with God" painted by Jan Matejko (1872).
 
2     If you looked at a map of Europe from 600 years ago, how would it appear to you? Well, it might look a little bit funny. The names and borders of many countries would be different than they are today. One country that did not appear was Poland, the homeland of Nicolaus Copernicus.
 
3     Copernicus was born in 1473 in Torun but educated in Krakow. His father was wealthy but died when Nicolaus was only ten. He was raised by his mother's brother, a church canon.
 
4     He helped young Copernicus with his education. At first the young scientist wanted to be a cleric. As his education progressed, many subjects interested his mind. In addition to his church studies, he also pursued studies to become a physician, a lawyer, an economist, a governor, and a diplomat. He also studied mathematics and astronomy.

Paragraphs 5 to 11:
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