DCA Term 2 Practice "The Most Startling Ride in the World"

Which statement summarizes the central idea of the text?

• In 1902, Alfred Pitzer exhibited a new and terrifying ride called the Haunted Swing. Riders were tricked into believing they were revolving weightlessly in a swing.

• By nailing down the furniture and objects in the room, Alfred Pitzer was able to defy the laws of gravity.

• For the 1902 Midwinter Fair in San Francisco, Alfred Pitzer shocked and surprised guests with a new and inventive ride.

• Alfred Pitzer’s Haunted Swing was shaped like a boat with four wooden benches for riders. The benches had neither seat belts nor safety devices.

How does the author convey the central idea?

• by providing scientific data on the physics and structure of the ride

• by pointing out how Pitzer was able to market the ride to the public

• by describing riders’ experiences on the ride as well as how the ride worked

• by presenting a firsthand account from a guest after riding the swing

Read the claim from paragraph 2.

"Yet it was actually one of the safest rides ever built."

Does the author provide sufficient evidence to support the claim?

• Yes. The author provides only positive details of the riders’ experiences.

• Yes. The author explains that the riders remained safe because the swing did not move

• No. The author fails to describe the safety mechanisms put in place for the swing.

• No. The author includes mentions of other rides that are safer than the swing.

What is the meaning of the phrase “out of this world” in paragraph 4?

"At the beginning of this century, the idea of weightlessness was foreign to everyone. Airplanes didn’t exist. High-speed automobiles were just a dream. Space travel was pure fantasy. And yet Pitzer was offering everyone the chance to experience something out of this world."

• new and exciting

• scientific and complex

• unable to be replicated

• unmatched in scale

Look at the illustrations of the Haunted Swing titled “Occupant Perspective” (left) and “True Position” (right).

How do the illustrations help the reader develop an understanding of the topic?

• by presenting the reader with an idea of how the usher operated the swing

• by showing the ways in which the swing could be dangerous if riders fell out

• by presenting the reader with a sketch of the belongings inside the room

• by showing why riders felt they were upside down when they were not

Read the excerpt from a newspaper article from the March 2, 1894, edition of The Herald.

Which idea is shared between both “The Most Startling Ride in the World” and the newspaper article?

• The construction of the swing was misleading because it never moved.

• The illusion was easily determined after taking the first ride.

• The cost of the ride made it possible to take multiple rides.

• The experience was unlike anything riders had experienced before.

Which statement illustrates how the descriptions of the Haunted Swing are similar in both texts?

• Fabric decorations swaying in the room add to the illusion.

• Contrary to the feeling of the ride, the Haunted Swing is extremely safe.

• The cost of the ride, ten cents, makes the experience even more enjoyable.

• The Haunted Swing requires two attendants to operate.