The Refrigerated Rail Car — Reading Comprehension

In the late 1800s, the refrigerated rail car changed how food moved across the United States. Before this invention, farmers and meatpackers had a big problem. They could not send fresh meat, milk, or fruit far away. Food would spoil because there was no way to keep it cold during long trips on trains.

Gustavus Swift, a meatpacker from Chicago, wanted to solve this problem. He believed that people everywhere should have fresh meat. In 1878, he worked with an engineer to create a new kind of train car. This car had thick walls and was filled with big blocks of ice. The ice kept the food cold as trains traveled from city to city.

At first, some railroad companies did not want to use Swift’s new cars. They were worried about leaks or extra costs. But Swift was determined. He started his own company, and soon his refrigerated cars proved they worked. Meat and other foods arrived fresh, even after long trips.

This invention changed life in America. Farmers could sell their products to people far away. Cities grew because they could get healthy food from distant places. Grocery stores began to offer more choices, like beef, pork, and fresh fruit. People started eating better and living healthier lives.

Other companies saw how well the refrigerated rail cars worked. They began to build their own versions. By the early 1900s, thousands of these special cars traveled across the country. They carried not just meat, but eggs, milk, fruit, and vegetables. The refrigerated rail car helped connect farms to cities. It also helped businesses grow and created new jobs for many people.

The story of the refrigerated rail car is a story of problem-solving and progress. Gustavus Swift said, "I saw a need and filled it." His idea helped change the way Americans lived and ate.

Interesting Fact: The first trip of a refrigerated rail car carried meat from Chicago to Boston in 1878. The meat arrived fresh, and people were amazed!

Who invented the refrigerated rail car?

What kept food cold in the new cars?

Which city did the first refrigerated car trip start from?

Why did cities grow after this invention?

How did the invention help farmers?

What was a problem before this invention?

The first refrigerated car arrived in Boston. True or false?

What does 'determined' mean?