Keeping Homes Bright — Reading Comprehension Questions

Read the passage Keeping Homes Bright: People have tried different ways to bring light into their homes for thousands of years. Long ago, people used torches made of sticks and cloth. Later, they used oil lamps and candles to brighten dark rooms. In the late 1800s, electric light bulbs changed everything. Thomas Edison invented a long-lasting light bulb in 1879. Soon, people used electric lamps instead of candles. Electric lamps were safer because they did not use fire. At first, only a few buildings had electric lighting because it was expensive. But as more power plants were built, lights became more common. By the early 1900s, many stores and city streets had bright electric lights. This made it easier for people to shop at night and walk safely outdoors. Over time, light bulbs continued to improve. Newer bulbs use less energy and last much longer. Today, people use many kinds of bulbs in their homes, schools, and cars. Without electric lighting, daily life would be very different for us. Which sentence from the text is an example of cause and effect?

Read the passage Keeping Homes Bright: People have tried different ways to bring light into their homes for thousands of years. Long ago, people used torches made of sticks and cloth. Later, they used oil lamps and candles to brighten dark rooms. In the late 1800s, electric light bulbs changed everything. Thomas Edison invented a long-lasting light bulb in 1879. Soon, people used electric lamps instead of candles. Electric lamps were safer because they did not use fire. At first, only a few buildings had electric lighting because it was expensive. But as more power plants were built, lights became more common. By the early 1900s, many stores and city streets had bright electric lights. This made it easier for people to shop at night and walk safely outdoors. Over time, light bulbs continued to improve. Newer bulbs use less energy and last much longer. Today, people use many kinds of bulbs in their homes, schools, and cars. Without electric lighting, daily life would be very different for us. Part of the author’s purpose is to show that people have tried many ways to create light. Which sentence from the text demonstrates this purpose?

Read the passage Keeping Homes Bright: People have tried different ways to bring light into their homes for thousands of years. Long ago, people used torches made of sticks and cloth. Later, they used oil lamps and candles to brighten dark rooms. In the late 1800s, electric light bulbs changed everything. Thomas Edison invented a long-lasting light bulb in 1879. Soon, people used electric lamps instead of candles. Electric lamps were safer because they did not use fire. At first, only a few buildings had electric lighting because it was expensive. But as more power plants were built, lights became more common. By the early 1900s, many stores and city streets had bright electric lights. This made it easier for people to shop at night and walk safely outdoors. Over time, light bulbs continued to improve. Newer bulbs use less energy and last much longer. Today, people use many kinds of bulbs in their homes, schools, and cars. Without electric lighting, daily life would be very different for us. PART A: Which statement best captures the central idea of the passage?

Read the passage Keeping Homes Bright: People have tried different ways to bring light into their homes for thousands of years. Long ago, people used torches made of sticks and cloth. Later, they used oil lamps and candles to brighten dark rooms. In the late 1800s, electric light bulbs changed everything. Thomas Edison invented a long-lasting light bulb in 1879. Soon, people used electric lamps instead of candles. Electric lamps were safer because they did not use fire. At first, only a few buildings had electric lighting because it was expensive. But as more power plants were built, lights became more common. By the early 1900s, many stores and city streets had bright electric lights. This made it easier for people to shop at night and walk safely outdoors. Over time, light bulbs continued to improve. Newer bulbs use less energy and last much longer. Today, people use many kinds of bulbs in their homes, schools, and cars. Without electric lighting, daily life would be very different for us. PART B: Which two details from the text support the central idea in PART A that lighting inventions have changed over time?

Read the passage Keeping Homes Bright: People have tried different ways to bring light into their homes for thousands of years. Long ago, people used torches made of sticks and cloth. Later, they used oil lamps and candles to brighten dark rooms. In the late 1800s, electric light bulbs changed everything. Thomas Edison invented a long-lasting light bulb in 1879. Soon, people used electric lamps instead of candles. Electric lamps were safer because they did not use fire. At first, only a few buildings had electric lighting because it was expensive. But as more power plants were built, lights became more common. By the early 1900s, many stores and city streets had bright electric lights. This made it easier for people to shop at night and walk safely outdoors. Over time, light bulbs continued to improve. Newer bulbs use less energy and last much longer. Today, people use many kinds of bulbs in their homes, schools, and cars. Without electric lighting, daily life would be very different for us. Choose two details that would be important to include in a summary of Keeping Homes Bright.

Based on the images and captions (not provided here, but imagine one early large bulb system and one modern small bulb), what can be learned about lighting technology?

Which sentence from the text shows why Naomi became interested in tennis?

PART A: What is the central idea of the passage?

PART B: Which two details support your answer to PART A?

Which sentence explains what a major tournament is?