Reading Comprehension Assessment invention.

The next time you’re at an amusement park, don’t

just look up at the impressive wheel in the sky on your way
Directions: Read the passage. Then answer the questions
to a newer attraction. Take it for a spin!
below.
1. As used in paragraph 1, the word attraction most
The Incredible Machine
nearly means ….
Everyone has a favorite attraction at an amusement A. sense
park, and I am no different. However, unlike most people B. park
who seem to prefer rollercoasters, my favorite ride is a little C. ride
more gentle. Every time I go to Coney Island, Navy Pier, or D. vision
the Santa Monica Pier, I absolutely have to ride the Ferris 2. It can be understood that Coney Island, Navy Pier,
wheel. and the Santa Monica Pier are all examples of ….
A. amusement parks
The Ferris wheel is simple and yet also quite B. Ferris wheels
complex. That is, riding it is easy, but how it works is C. vacation spots
complicated. A series of carts are attached to a wheel, which D. boat docks
is attached to a rim. That rim rotates vertically around an 3. As used in paragraph 2, which is the best antonym
axis, and gravity keeps the carts upright. As simple as the for complex?
ride seems, only advanced engineers can make safe and fun A. impressive
Ferris wheels. B. beautiful
What It Lacks in Thrills… C. exciting
D. simple
While the Ferris wheel is not as thrilling as a 4. What does the author like best about Ferris
rollercoaster, it is still very exciting. The fact of being high in wheels?
the air makes it so much more entertaining than a lot of A. the impressive engineering and beauty of
rides. I mean, how often do you hang from that high up in them
daily life? B. the excitement and thrills they guarantee
Nevertheless, I have to admit, I don’t seek Ferris C. the beautiful sights and relaxation they
wheels out because of their excitement. Rather, I find them allow
very relaxing. At the top of the Ferris wheel, you get D. the fact that most amusement parks have
beautiful sights of the park. You also get a sense of calm that one
you don’t get in the hustle and bustle of the park below. 5. According to the passage, the Ferris wheel was
originally designed for ….
Additionally, Ferris wheels are also gorgeous to look A. Coney Island
at when they are lit up at night. In fact, the original Ferris B. the world’s fair
wheel was designed as much to be seen as to be ridden. C. Disneyworld
D. Singapore
It Happened at the World’s Fair
6. This passage was most likely written to ….
The first Ferris wheel was made by and named after A. describe the author’s favorite amusement
George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. He designed it for the park rides
Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. It was the tallest attraction B. explain the original design of Ferris
there, standing 264 feet high. wheels and how they work today
C. describe the history of Ferris wheels and
However, visitors to the fair were impressed by the
why they are so popular
size of the ride as well as the mechanics of it. In 1893,
D. explain the history of Ferris wheels and
anything that was not turned by hand was considered a sight
why the author likes them
to see. And the wheel, which was a machine, was truly
7. Using information in the passage, the reader can
incredible to see. Further, as one visitor put it, the wheel
understand that the tallest Ferris wheel in the
was amazing because it seemed to be missing support. That
world
is, it did not look like it could stand on its own. And yet it did
Is ….
and even rotated!
A. under 250 feet tall
They Keep Reaching Higher and Higher B. between 250 and 500 feet tall
C. between 500 and 750 feet tall
Ferris wheel technology has only improved since D. over 750 feet tall
then. Most of today’s Ferris wheels are much larger than
that first one. The largest in the world is the "Singapore
Flyer," which stands slightly taller than twice what Ferris’s
did!

Today, the Ferris wheel is the most common

amusement park ride. But that does not mean you should
take them for granted. Instead, be thankful for Ferris’