Roller Coasters in History

Which innovation in the roller coaster’s history occurred first?

• 𝖠 cables for lifting cars

• 𝖡 ramps with rollers for sleds

• 𝖢 sleds with wheels to ride down ramps

• 𝖣 a track that rose and fell

2. Why did the construction of roller coasters decline in the 1930s?

• 𝖠 They were not safe enough.

• 𝖡 New kinds of construction materials were used to build rides.

• 𝖢 Theme parks became more successful.

• 𝖣 People could not afford to spend money at amusement parks.

3. Which of these innovations was developed by John Miller?

• 𝖠 locking lap bars

• 𝖡 spiraling tracks

• 𝖢 cables for lifting cars

• 𝖣 steel as a construction material

4. The information in “Roller Coasters in History” suggests that roller coasters are —

• 𝖠 too dangerous for people to ride.

• 𝖡 not as popular as they once were.

• 𝖢 constantly changed and improved.

• 𝖣 an important part of Russian culture.

5. Which sentence from “Safer Than They Seem” states an opinion?

• 𝖠 People worry that the forces roller coasters put on the body

  are too great.

• 𝖡 Mechanical failures are also very rare, and accidents

  are uncommon.

• 𝖢 Because people ignore rules, roller coasters now have many

  extra safety devices.

• 𝖣 Roller coasters are the greatest rides ever invented—and

  they’re safe.

6. To help persuade readers that roller coasters are safe, the author of “Safer Than They Seem” leaves out which piece of information?

• 𝖠 the number of accidents caused each year by roller coasters

• 𝖡 the speed of the fastest roller coaster

• 𝖢 the number of deaths caused each year by roller coasters

• 𝖣 the materials roller coasters are made of

Give two examples of evidence from “Safer Than They Seem” to support the idea that roller coasters are safe.

Pick three answers.

• Out of 300 million visitors, only a few deaths occur each year.

• • Riding a roller coaster is safer than driving a car on the highway.

• • Roller coasters are inspected daily.

• Response should summarize the development of roller coasters since

  the 1700s. It should include the sleds with wheels in Russia, sleds with

  runners in France, early roller coasters in Coney Island, and modern

  innovations. (4 points)