Both Passages: The First Powered Flight (RI.4.9)

Which statement best explains how the Wright brothers’ teamwork, described in both passages, helped them succeed?

• They worked together to solve problems and improve their designs

• They divided their work so one could build and the other could test

• They competed to see who could build the better machine

• They each worked on separate projects and combined them later

Why is the Wright brothers’ success in 1903, as described in Passage 2, considered a major milestone?

• It proved that powered flight was possible

• It allowed them to sell more bicycles

• It inspired others to make better toys

• It showed that teamwork is more important than hard work

Which of the following is the best summary of Passage 2?

• The Wright brothers achieved the first powered flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903 after years of hard work, experimentation, and overcoming challenges. Their success changed the world and marked the beginning of modern aviation.

• The Wright brothers tested their airplane at Kitty Hawk, and it flew for 12 seconds before landing.

• The Wright brothers built a plane and tested it on the sandy dunes of North Carolina but had trouble steering.

• The Flyer’s first flight at Kitty Hawk was a short event but showed that teamwork was the key to their success.

Based on both passages, how did the Wright brothers’ failures help them reach their goal?

• They learned from their mistakes and improved their designs

• They stopped working for a while to plan better

• They avoided trying risky experiments

• They decided to rely only on ideas from other inventors

Which detail from the passages shows that the Wright brothers were determined?

• They ran a bicycle shop to support their work

• They studied other inventors and performed experiments

• They chose Kitty Hawk as their test site

• They gave up after their first attempt failed

Which detail was included in Passage 1 but not in Passage 2?

• The location of Kitty Hawk was chosen for its strong winds

• The Flyer’s engine was custom-built by the brothers

• The brothers gained inspiration from observing birds in flight

• The longest flight lasted 59 seconds and covered 852 feet