What to do: Read the article. Then go back and look for 8 words with the root act or spec. Write these words down on a separate sheet of paper. (We underlined the first one for you.) Choose three of the words and write down their definitions. Use context clues or a dictionary for help.

    Let’s take a trip to Marfa, a small city in Texas. Not far from the border with Mexico, Marfa lies in the Chihuahuan Desert. This long stretch of sand and cactuses can almost seem like it’s on another planet. So you might not be surprised to learn that Marfa is the setting of a spectacular unsolved mystery: the Marfa Lights.

    The Marfa Lights are glowing circles that appear in the desert. This strange spectacle happens about 30 times a year. The first known sighting was more than 100 years ago. 

    The best chance of seeing the lights is just before sunrise or sunset. But on which days will the lights be active? No one knows. 

    Trying to get a look at the lights is a popular activity among tourists and local people. Near the city, you’ll find a viewing platform for that purpose. If they’re lucky, spectators can get a real show. Those who see the lights usually react with excitement.

    Over the years, witnesses have described the Marfa Lights in all sorts of ways. The lights can perform actions like twinkling or darting around. They can be many colors, including red, blue, yellow, and white. Sometimes they can even split in two—and then join back together.

    What are the Marfa Lights exactly? There are many different theories, or ideas. 

    The lights have been called aliens, UFOs, and wandering ghosts. Some say they are car headlights in the distance. One scientist has speculated that the lights are caused by underground lightning. 

    Here’s the thing, though: No one really knows. And so the mystery continues . . .