The World's Greatest Magician

When Harry Houdini was born in 1874, there were no movies or television. People often went to theaters for fun, and they loved to be amazed. Harry Houdini became famous for his magic tricks and his ability to amaze people more than anyone ever had. Harry Houdini was born Ehrich Weiss, but he decided to name himself after an earlier magician, Houdin. Harry started working as a stage magician when he was only 17, but he wasn’t very good at first. It took a few years before he learned what people liked to see, and he had to practice a long time to make his tricks go smoothly. But finally he started doing escape tricks. He would have himself locked up so tightly that the audience thought he would never get free, but he always did. Soon he was traveling all over the world to show his skills as an escape artist. Many people believe that Harry Houdini died doing one of his tricks, but he actually died from an illness. Thousands of people attended his funeral.

What is the author's purpose?

• explain how to do magic tricks

• persuade young people to do magic tricks

• tell an entertaining story

• give information about Harry Houdini

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When Harry Houdini was born in 1874, there were no movies or television. People often went to theaters for fun, and they loved to be amazed. Harry Houdini became famous for his magic tricks and his ability to amaze people more than anyone ever had. Harry Houdini was born Ehrich Weiss, but he decided to name himself after an earlier magician, Houdin. Harry started working as a stage magician when he was only 17, but he wasn’t very good at first. It took a few years before he learned what people liked to see, and he had to practice a long time to make his tricks go smoothly. But finally he started doing escape tricks. He would have himself locked up so tightly that the audience thought he would never get free, but he always did. Soon he was traveling all over the world to show his skills as an escape artist. Many people believe that Harry Houdini died doing one of his tricks, but he actually died from an illness. Thousands of people attended his funeral.

What is the author's view of Harry Houdini's ability?

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There are many ways to learn how to perform magic. Some tricks can be learned from books. These tricks are often easy and don’t use fancy tools. You can also learn magic from videos, but the best way to learn is from other magicians. You might be able to find someone who will give you lessons, or you can enroll in one of the nation’s exclusive magic schools. The most important thing is to practice, practice, practice. Even the most expensive tools won’t help if you don’t practice. Magic only works if your audience can’t guess what you are doing or how you do it. If you make a mistake, they will know your secrets.

What is the main purpose of this passage?

• persuade readers to learn magic

• tell an entertaining story

• explain how to learn magic

• give information about magic schools

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Ways to Learn Magic There are many ways to learn how to perform magic. Some tricks can be learned from books. These tricks are often easy and don’t use fancy tools. You can also learn magic from videos, but the best way to learn is from other magicians. You might be able to find someone who will give you lessons, or you can enroll in one of the nation’s exclusive magic schools. The most important thing is to practice, practice, practice. Even the most expensive tools won’t help if you don’t practice. Magic only works if your audience can’t guess what you are doing or how you do it. If you make a mistake, they will know your secrets.

According to the author, what kind of tricks are usually taught in books?

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The author of the passage thinks the most important thing about being a magician is...

• take lessons from someone

• practice a lot

• make sure you have a good audience

• use videos

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