1. The article says “To Alisa, Ukraine isn’t just a country in the news.” What does this mean?
It means that Ukraine has special meaning to Alisa. She was born there, still has friends and family there, and feels connected to the country.
R.1 Text Evidence
2. How does the author support the idea that Mariupol has changed since Alisa visited in December?
The author notes that bombings have turned many buildings there into piles of rubble. People there have no electricity and little water.
R.8 Reasons and Evidence
3. Based on the sidebar “How Has the U.S. Reacted?,” what are sanctions?
Sanctions are official actions meant to punish a country by hurting its economy, like keeping its banks from doing business in other nations.
R.7 Text Features