QUESTION 1
1 / 4
What cause-and-effect relationship is described in this article?
California swimming pools were used for skateboarding because skate parks were closed.
Early skateboarders came up with the new sport because they were tired of surfing.
Early skateboarders had some serious accidents because the wheels had bad traction.
California swimming pools were empty because skateboarders wanted to use them.
California swimming pools were used for skateboarding because skate parks were closed.
QUESTION 2
2 / 4
Why were many backyard swimming pools empty in California in the 1970s?
California was experiencing an extreme drought.
Skateboarding and surfing were safer than swimming.
California was experiencing a shortage of lifeguards.
Skateboarding and surfing were more fun than swimming.
California was experiencing an extreme drought.
QUESTION 3
3 / 4
Read this passage from the article:
Sometimes, however, surfers were confronted with a dilemma—what to do when there were no waves. Fortunately for fun-loving thrill-seekers everywhere, they came up with a solution.
In this passage, the word dilemma means __________.
an invitation to try something dangerous
an invitation to try something new
a challenging problem or situation
a simple task or assignment
a challenging problem or situation
Sidewalk Surfing
Close-up of a person's legs and red skate shoes on a skateboard perched at the top of a ramp at a skate park
Credit: Izf/Shutterstock
You might have seen hot shots drop into a bowl at a skate park and glide through a frontside carve around a tight corner, but have you ever wondered how skateboarding got started or what gave people the idea to create those curvy concrete courses? It's all part of the twisting, turning history of skateboarding, a sport that evolved from surfing.
Sidewalk Surfing Takes Off
Surfing became popular in the 1950s in Hawaii and California. People loved the rush of riding the waves on a surfboard. Sometimes, however, surfers were confronted with a dilemma—what to do when there were no waves. Fortunately for fun-loving thrill-seekers everywhere, they came up with a solution. When calm seas offered up only unrideable ripples, some surfers hopped on smaller boards with wheels and rode them on land, a pastime that became known as "sidewalk surfing" or skateboarding.
The Wheel Gets Reinvented
Originally, skateboards had slippery, rattling steel wheels. Those were superseded by clay wheels, which rode a bit more smoothly but still had terrible traction, leading to some serious accidents. Many people therefore began to view skateboarding as a menace to public safety, and some cities banned it. By 1965, the popularity of skateboarding had tumbled.
What turned things around? Better wheels. In 1973, a company started by a surfer named Frank Nasworthy introduced skateboards with wheels made of a material called polyurethane. They gripped the ground for a safer, smoother ride, propelling the sport forward on a second wave of popularity.
Backyard Skaters Give the Sport a Boost
In the late 1970s, California experienced a severe drought. Because water was scarce, many backyard swimming pools were empty. Where other people saw dry basins devoid of joy, however, resourceful skaters spotted an opportunity for fun. They jumped in on their skateboards and glided along like surfers riding concrete waves, contributing to the creation of a whole new type of skateboarding. Now many skate parks feature concrete bowls shaped like swimming pools where skaters attempt complicated tricks.
Those were just a few of the ups and downs in the early history of skateboarding. Today, the sport is still rolling along, changing with the times. It's safe to say there are plenty more twists and turns to come.
QUESTION 4
4 / 4
According to the article, why did surfers invent "sidewalk surfing"?
A drought made it impossible to go surfing.
Skateboarding in pools caused too many accidents.
A calm sea meant there were no waves for surfing.
Skate parks did not allow skateboarders to do tricks.
A calm sea meant there were no waves for surfing.
QUESTION 2
2 / 4
Look at these words. Select the words that have at least one open syllable. Say the words out loud if it helps you to hear the long vowel sound in the open syllables.
open
eleven
fasten
polish
photo
delight
maybe
magic