Summarizing Text Nonfiction Article

Barbed wire fences seem like such a humble barrier. They are not gates of iron that need locks and keys, nor are they the Great Wall of China. But the simple barbed-wire fence changed the history of the American West far more than the Great Wall of China changed the history of China.

Before barbed wire, the number of people who could settle in the western half of the United States was limited. Farming and ranching were difficult when there were no boundaries. There were few trees on the prairie with which to build fences. Rocks for stone walls were few and far between in the plains. Shrubs and hedges took too long to grow. The introduction of barbed wire to the West in the 1800's allowed farmers to keep track of their cattle, and settlers to live in a place that was safe and secure.

Barbed wire was unwelcome by Native Americans, cowboys, and just about anyone else who preferred the wide open spaces to being fenced in. But once introduced, barbed-wire fences were here to stay.

What is the article mostly about?

• The Great Wall of China

• different kinds of barriers and their uses

• an invention that helped shape the American West

• inventions that affected life on the plains

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Barbed wire fences seem like such a humble barrier. They are not gates of iron that need locks and keys, nor are they the Great Wall of China. But the simple barbed-wire fence changed the history of the American West far more than the Great Wall of China changed the history of China.

Before barbed wire, the number of people who could settle in the western half of the United States was limited. Farming and ranching were difficult when there were no boundaries. There were few trees on the prairie with which to build fences. Rocks for stone walls were few and far between in the plains. Shrubs and hedges took too long to grow. The introduction of barbed wire to the West in the 1800's allowed farmers to keep track of their cattle, and settlers to live in a place that was safe and secure.

Barbed wire was unwelcome by Native Americans, cowboys, and just about anyone else who preferred the wide open spaces to being fenced in. But once introduced, barbed-wire fences were here to stay.

Why was the invention of barbed wire so important in American history?

• It helped define property boundaries.

• It provided many benefits to farmers, ranchers, and settlers.

• It allowed farmers to fence in their crops.

• It allowed sheriffs to build walls to prevent prisoners from escaping.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Barbed wire fences seem like such a humble barrier. They are not gates of iron that need locks and keys, nor are they the Great Wall of China. But the simple barbed-wire fence changed the history of the American West far more than the Great Wall of China changed the history of China.

Before barbed wire, the number of people who could settle in the western half of the United States was limited. Farming and ranching were difficult when there were no boundaries. There were few trees on the prairie with which to build fences. Rocks for stone walls were few and far between in the plains. Shrubs and hedges took too long to grow. The introduction of barbed wire to the West in the 1800's allowed farmers to keep track of their cattle, and settlers to live in a place that was safe and secure.

Barbed wire was unwelcome by Native Americans, cowboys, and just about anyone else who preferred the wide open spaces to being fenced in. But once introduced, barbed-wire fences were here to stay.

Where was the effect of the invention of barbed wire first seen?

• the Northern colonies

• western parts of China

• the plains

• the American South

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.3

CCSS.RI.5.3

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.7.3

CCSS.RI.8.3

Barbed wire fences seem like such a humble barrier. They are not gates of iron that need locks and keys, nor are they the Great Wall of China. But the simple barbed-wire fence changed the history of the American West far more than the Great Wall of China changed the history of China.

Before barbed wire, the number of people who could settle in the western half of the United States was limited. Farming and ranching were difficult when there were no boundaries. There were few trees on the prairie with which to build fences. Rocks for stone walls were few and far between in the plains. Shrubs and hedges took too long to grow. The introduction of barbed wire to the West in the 1800's allowed farmers to keep track of their cattle, and settlers to live in a place that was safe and secure.

Barbed wire was unwelcome by Native Americans, cowboys, and just about anyone else who preferred the wide open spaces to being fenced in. But once introduced, barbed-wire fences were here to stay.

Which of these BEST summarizes the article?

• Barbed wire helped bring about important developments in the American West.

• Different types of fences have played significant roles in world history.

• Many inventions helped shaped the American West.

• Native Americans and cowboys were not happy to see barbed-wire fences spread across the American West.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

How did barbed wire impact the settlement patterns in the American West?

• It discouraged settlers from moving west.

• It allowed for more organized and secure settlements.

• It led to the abandonment of the plains.

• It had no significant impact on settlement patterns.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.9

CCSS.RL.8.9

What was a major challenge for farmers and ranchers before the invention of barbed wire?

• Finding enough water for crops.

• Building fences with limited materials.

• Dealing with frequent wildfires.

• Transporting goods to the market.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.3

CCSS.RI.5.3

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.7.3

CCSS.RI.8.3

Why did some groups oppose the use of barbed wire in the American West?

• It was too expensive to produce.

• It restricted the open range lifestyle.

• It was ineffective in keeping cattle contained.

• It was difficult to install and maintain.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5