The Assembly Line: Mass Production in Action — Reading Comprehension

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Grades

Standards

D2.HIS.2.3-5
D2.HIS.3.3-5
RI.4.3
RI.4.4
W.4.2

About This Reader

This engaging U.S. history reading passage explores the invention and impact of the assembly line during the Progressive Era. Students will learn how Henry Ford and other innovators changed the way products were made, making goods faster and cheaper for everyone. The passage uses clear language and a chronological structure to help students understand cause and effect in history. Key vocabulary is highlighted and explained. The resource includes activities such as a quiz, timeline, writing prompts, and a graphic organizer to support comprehension. The passage is aligned with C3 Framework and Common Core standards, making it perfect for classroom learning. Audio read aloud and Spanish translation are included for accessibility. Ideal for lessons on the Industrial Revolution, innovation, and social change.

CONTENT PREVIEW

1927 Ford Model T Touring, 20900 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn, Wayne County, MI.
Source: Library of Congress - Historic American Engineering Record

The assembly line changed the way products were made in America. In the early 1900s, factories were filled with workers building things by hand. Each worker would work on one item from start to finish. This took a lot of time and made products expensive. People wanted a better way to make things faster and cheaper.

Henry Ford, an American car maker, had a big idea. He wanted to build cars that many people could afford. In 1913, Ford started using the assembly line in his factory. Instead of one person making a whole car, each worker did just one job, like putting on wheels or doors. The car moved along a line, stopping at each worker’s station. This way, workers became experts at their jobs and worked quickly.

The conveyor belt was a key part of the assembly line. It moved slowly, carrying each car from one worker to the next. The pace was steady. Everyone worked as a team. Ford said, “Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.”

With the assembly line, Ford could build a car in just 93 minutes. Before, it took more than 12 hours! This innovation made cars cheaper, so more families could buy them. The assembly line also created many new jobs. Other companies saw Ford’s success. They started using assembly lines to make things like radios, refrigerators, and toys.

The assembly line changed life in America. It helped cities grow, because people moved to work in factories. It also made products more affordable for everyone. The assembly line showed how teamwork and new ideas can solve problems. It was one of the most important changes of the Progressive Era.

Today, assembly lines are used all over the world. They help people make everything from cars to computers quickly and safely. The assembly line is a great example of how one idea can change the world.

Interesting Fact: Ford’s Model T was the first car built on an assembly line. By 1927, more than 15 million Model T cars had been made!

Who started using the assembly line in 1913?

Henry FordThomas EdisonAlexander BellGeorge Washington

What made cars cheaper to build?

Assembly lineHorse powerHand paintingAirplanes

What did the conveyor belt do?

Moved cars to workersCooked foodCleaned factoriesPlayed music

Why did Ford make the assembly line?

To make cars fasterTo build trainsTo sell candyTo dig tunnels

How did the assembly line help workers?

They became expertsThey worked aloneThey made trainsThey traveled more

What is a key effect of assembly lines?