Chinese and Irish Workers on the Rails — Reading Comprehension

In the late 1800s, the United States needed a way to connect the East and West. The answer was the Transcontinental Railroad. This railroad stretched all the way across the country. Building it was a huge job. Two main groups helped make it happen: Chinese and Irish workers.

First, workers from Ireland came to America looking for better lives. They found jobs with the Union Pacific Railroad. They worked hard laying tracks across the flat plains. The work was tough. They used hammers and shovels. Sometimes, they worked in very hot or cold weather. Still, they kept building, one mile at a time.

At the same time, many Chinese workers joined the Central Pacific Railroad. They came from China, hoping to earn money for their families. The work was even harder in the mountains. The Chinese workers had to dig tunnels through solid rock. They used explosives to blast through hills. It was dangerous. Many workers were brave every day, even when it was risky.

The Chinese workers helped solve big problems. When snow blocked the tracks, they dug paths and built strong walls to keep the snow back. The Irish workers also faced challenges, such as long days and little pay. But both groups kept going. They wanted to finish the railroad for everyone in America.

On May 10, 1869, the two railroads met at Promontory Point, Utah. The last, special spike was called the "Golden Spike." It joined the railroads together. A leader said, "May God continue the unity of our Country." The crowd cheered. The country was now linked by rail.

After the railroad was finished, travel was much faster. People and goods could move across the country in just days instead of months. The work of Chinese and Irish workers changed America. They helped more people settle in the West and made trade easier.

Today, we remember the bravery and hard work of these men. They showed that people from different places can work together to solve big problems. Their story is important to the history of the United States.

Interesting Fact: Many Chinese workers cooked their own food and drank boiled tea to stay healthy while working on the railroad.

Who worked for the Union Pacific?

Where did the railroads meet?

What was the Golden Spike?

Why did Chinese workers use explosives?

What helped people travel faster?

How did workers show unity?

True or False: Chinese workers only worked in the plains.

What does 'goods' mean?