Text Structure Practice

What's that in the sky? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a firework! Fireworks capture the attention of crowds around the world, but how do they work? First, the firework is stuffed into a tube loaded with gunpowder. This is the mortar. Second, a fuse that leads to the mortar is lit. When the fuse ignites the gunpowder in the mortar, an explosion launches the firework into the air. A fuse on the firework is lit at the same time as the mortar fuse, but this fuse burns slower, allowing the firework to get into the air before it explodes. After it has risen to its peak, the firework should explode, causing tiny pieces of metal to burn in different colors as they scatter outward. Oooooh!

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Fireworks are beautiful; but as with many beautiful things, they are also dangerous. Misusing fireworks can result in property damage, injury, and even the loss of life. Such accidents usually happen for one of two reasons. The operators may be using poorly manufactured products, such as fireworks with fuses that burn too quickly. A defective firework can cause even the most skilled operator to have an accident. Other times, however, it is the operator who is at fault. The operator may be unskilled or distracted and make a mistake, such as setting up an explosion sequence improperly or not accounting for conditions in the environment, like soundproof foaming. For these reasons even the most beautiful fireworks display can turn really ugly really quickly.

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During the Revolutionary War, Americans learned just how important friends can be. When the Americans declared independence on July 4 th , 1776, they had virtually no allies. But on February 6 th , 1778, after the American victory at Saratoga, the French assisted the American cause. The French went into deep debt helping the Americans. The Americans would receive additional help in June of 1779, when the Spanish joined the fight against the British. They would secure Southern ports and supply lines. Without the help of these allies, many more Americans would have died in the fight for independence.

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The Revolutionary War was a time of great division. Americans were split into two groups: Patriots and Loyalists. Patriots were Americans who supported the struggle for independence. They believed that Americans should be free from the control of an English king. They fought against the English to establish a new government in America. Loyalists were Americans who remained loyal to the crown. Some of them were happy under English rule. Others believed that they might be rewarded after the Americans lost the war. Though both Patriots and Loyalists lived in America, a deep division ran between them.

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There were many important battles in the Revolutionary War, but perhaps none were more important than the Battles of Saratoga. The results of the Battles of Saratoga shifted the momentum of the war toward the Americans. Though they had previously lost numerous battles, the Americans captured British General Burgoyne's army during the Battles of Saratoga. This victory convinced other countries, especially France, that the Americans could win the war. Because of this, not only did France declare war on England, but other nations also began openly supporting the American fight for independence. The Battles of Saratoga will be remembered as a pivotal moment in this fight.

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In most cases American soldiers could not stand toe-to-toe against British soldiers. The British were better trained, better armed, and more experienced. When the American soldiers attempted to match the British, they suffered heavy losses. The Americans had to use what advantages they had, so they developed what are now known as Guerilla Warfare tactics. Guerrilla warfare is a form of fighting where small groups of fighters use ambushes, sabotages, and the elements of surprise to harass a larger, less mobile army. By using Guerilla Warfare tactics, American soldiers were able to equalize some of the British's advantages on the battlefield.

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American soldiers during the Revolutionary War suffered horrible conditions to win independence. You can experience some of these conditions by eating the same food that soldiers ate at Valley Forge: fire cake. Fire cake is a horrible tasting blob of burnt gluten. To make some first mix flour with water until you get thick, damp dough. Then, form it into a cake and in your palms. Put this doughy lump on a greased cookie sheet and bake it until it is brown. This will be very similar to the awful fire cakes that American soldiers ate at Valley Forge. Enjoy!

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Fireworks have been around for at least as long as gunpowder. Both gunpowder and fireworks are Chinese inventions. During the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth centuries, fireworks were commonly sold in Chinese markets as a way to get rid of evil spirits. During the thirteenth century, Chinese merchants developed rocket propulsion. This allowed fireworks to travel great distances, much like they do today. In the 17th century, Chinese fireworks were popularized in Europe. After becoming popular with the British, fireworks spread all over their vast empire. Nowadays people around the world celebrate with fireworks. Whether at a sporting event, concert, or public gathering, fireworks signal a great celebration.

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