Ready RI.1.3 Understanding Historical Texts

Which sentence from the article tells why Fulton and Livingston kept working on their boat even though others thought they were being foolish?

• "The two men knew that putting a steam engine onboard a vessel was still new and dangerous."

• "They were convinced that Fulton's steamboat ideas... would revolutionize transportation in America."

• "Fulton and a group of invited guests prepared to steam up the Hudson River from New York City to Albany."

• "The boat had made the 150-mile trip in 32 hours of travel time."

Which statement BEST explains why some people who saw Fulton's boat steaming up the Hudson River were terrified?

• They were excited about Fulton's strange new invention.

• The new steamboat looked and sounded dangerous.

• The people were upset that they were not allowed to ride on the stamboat.

• The steamboat was oddly shaped and easily passed the other boats on the river.

Which THREE sentences from paragraph 5 BEST support your answer to number 2?

• After a short time, there was a huge blast of smoke.

• Once again, the boat churned upriver.

• It was described as looking like a giant teakettle.

• The vessel's engine let off steam and rained down sparks that sizzled in the water.

• The noise was deafening, but the boat was moving.

Why was the steamboat called "Fulton's Folly?" Select all that apply.

• It looked like a "very strange boat."

• It moved at four to five miles per hour.

• It seemed "new and dangerous."

• It concluded its 150-mile trip in 32 hours.

Why did Fulton's boat become a success? Select all that apply.

• It had "no cabins, no beds, and a roaring, uncovered steam engine that might explode at any time.

• It became the "first successful steamboat in America."

• It moved at four to five miles per hour.

• It looked like a "very strange boat."