Grade 5 Reading Information - Text Structure

Story 1 - Cars and Planes

Both the car and the plane were invented in the early 1900s. However, it took less time to upgrade the car to what it is today. The same cannot be said for the commercial airplane. Planes were used in World War II in the 1940s, but people did not start regularly flying until the early 1960s. Traveling long distances could be done in both cars and planes because many people would use these types of transportation to go to their vacation spot. However, getting to an overseas location could only be done by an airplane or ship.

Story 2 - Safety Features in Cars

Cars are a wonderful invention that many people use on a daily basis. However, safety precautions had to be fashioned in or on the outside of cars due to many injuries sustained in car accidents. When people would be sent through the windshield or tossed about the car, seatbelts and then later airbags were fitted into the cars. Specialized tires and snow chains were created for those cars being driven in icy weather. In addition to that, air conditioning and heaters were installed in cars so people would not feel uncomfortable while driving or riding in cars.

Story 3 - Plane Procedures

Before a plane takes off, flight attendants give a presentation about safety procedures. This is done in order for all passengers to know what to do in case of an emergency while onboard the aircraft. Also, the airline wants the passengers on an airplane to feel comfortable, so they offer beverages and sometimes snacks or meals on flights. On longer flights, airlines offer movies and games to play on the screen on the back of the seat in front of passengers. This helps them pass the time during a flight that may last hours and hours.

Story 4 - History of Transportation after 1900

Even though the invention of the transcontinental railroad seemed to be a perfect solution to travelers crossing from the East to the West in the United States, people wanted to move faster. At first, in the early 1900s, Henry Ford invented a car to get people around town in shorter distances. This mode of transportation cut down the hours it would take to get from one town to another. About the same time Ford was perfecting the car, the Wright brothers were testing their first plane. However, flying was in its infancy stage. By the 1950s, people were buying cars and riding in airplanes. In the 1980s and 1990s, the space shuttle was invented and sent into space to explore planets, moons and comets.