The Wright Brothers Take Flight — Reading Comprehension

Orville and Wilbur Wright were two brothers from Ohio. They loved to fix and build things. As young men, they owned a bicycle shop. They wanted to solve the problem of flying. Other people had tried, but no one had built a plane that could carry a person and fly safely.

The brothers studied birds. They read about inventions and flying machines. They built many small models before making a real airplane. Every time something failed, they worked together to fix it. They showed bravery and patience.

In 1903, the brothers went to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The wind was strong there, which helped with flying. They built a plane called the Flyer. Wilbur and Orville took turns testing it. On December 17, 1903, Orville climbed onto the Flyer. The engine roared. The plane rose off the ground and flew for 12 seconds. It went about 120 feet. This was the first time a powered airplane carried a person and flew on its own.

People were amazed. Wilbur said, "It is possible to fly without motors, but not without knowledge and skill." The Wright brothers kept working. Each flight lasted longer. Their invention changed travel for everyone. Today, people can fly across the world because of their hard work.

Interesting Fact: The first flight was shorter than the length of a football field!

Where did the first flight take place?

Who made the first powered flight?

What year did the first flight happen?

Why did the brothers go to Kitty Hawk?

What helped the brothers build the plane?

How did the first flight change travel?

The Flyer was a train. True or false?

What does "invention" mean?