You've learned how text structures help readers of informational text more generally. Now apply your new skills to a specific piece of text. First skim this chapter to see what you can learn from its typographical features. Then read the chapter more closely, looking for clues about its use of organizational patterns. Then, figure out why the author chose to use the text structure he did. The questions beside the chapter will help you perform your analysis.
Which typographical cue is used in this textbook chapter?
- illustrations
- captions
- subheadings
- bullet lists
A shift in ideas is indicated by subtitles or subheadings.
A shift in ideas is indicated by subtitles or subheadings.
A shift in ideas is indicated by subtitles or subheadings.
A shift in ideas is indicated by subtitles or subheadings.
What does the first subheading suggest about the chapter's first section?
- that fireworks are different colors because of chemical reactions
- that the discovery of fireworks was a matter of luck, not careful science
- that a chemist is a person who studies chemicals and their reactions
- that the chapter will be about other uses of fireworks--besides 4th of July celebrations
The use of the word accidental in the subheading suggests that the scientific process played no part in the first use of fireworks.
The use of the word accidental in the subheading suggests that the scientific process played no part in the first use of fireworks.
The use of the word accidental in the subheading suggests that the scientific process played no part in the first use of fireworks.
The use of the word accidental in the subheading suggests that the scientific process played no part in the first use of fireworks.
What organizational pattern was used to organize the ideas in this chapter?
- cause and effect
- comparative
- problem and solution
- chronological
The subheadings are listed in sequential order.
The subheadings are listed in sequential order.
The subheadings are listed in sequential order.
The subheadings are listed in sequential order.
How does the organizational pattern of the chapter help the author make his point?
- It supports his purpose of showing how long fireworks have been used--throughout much of human history.
- It allows him to make a clear comparison between fireworks used in ancient China and today's fireworks displays.
- It provides a logical order for the author's spatial description of how most fireworks displays are designed.
- It creates a sense of suspense for readers as they wait to find out how often fireworks misfire.
The chronological order of the chapter helps the author explain how humans throughout history have been creating and using fireworks.
The chronological order of the chapter helps the author explain how humans throughout history have been creating and using fireworks.
The chronological order of the chapter helps the author explain how humans throughout history have been creating and using fireworks.
The chronological order of the chapter helps the author explain how humans throughout history have been creating and using fireworks.
Why does the author put some words in boldface?
- to emphasize their importance in the chapter
- to indicate they will be defined at the bottom of the page
- to introduce technical jargon related to fireworks
- to point out the author's credentials
Boldface is used to indicate higher level vocabulary.
Boldface is used to indicate higher level vocabulary.
Boldface is used to indicate higher level vocabulary.
Boldface is used to indicate higher level vocabulary.
Summary
Questions answered correctly:
Questions answered incorrectly:
Chapter 6: China and Our Technological World
Section 1: An Explosive and Far-reaching Discovery
We’ve all seen them flashing in the sky for 4th of July or New Year’s Eve celebrations or lighting up stadiums after football games or before the Olympic Games begin. The range of colors and shapes produced by fireworks never fails to awe the crowd, but where—and how—did fireworks begin?
Accidental Chemistry
The first recorded use of fireworks occurred in 200 BC in China. Villagers would throw green bamboo shoots into fires, and the heat would expand the air pockets inside until the bamboo exploded. The loud bang was meant to scare away evil spirits.
During the first century, Chinese chemists discovered the hard way that when they mixed potassium nitrate (or saltpeter), charcoal, sulfur and heat they got a loud explosion. This mixture was the earliest form of gunpowder.
Soon after it was discovered, the Chinese began to use gunpowder in their religious ceremonies. They stuffed it into green bamboo shoots and threw those into the fire. The result was an extra-loud bang accompanied by a bright flash. Firecrackers have been used in China to celebrate the Lunar New Year ever since.
Chinese soldiers soon found a more practical use for fireworks. They would attach gunpowder-filled tubes of paper to arrows and fire them at enemy targets. The original purpose of these “missiles” was to frighten away the enemy, which is exactly what happened. This use of fireworks inspired the aerial displays we are all now familiar with.
Sharing the Excitement
Explorers who visited China brought gunpowder and fireworks back to Europe with them. European chemists and metallurgists experimented with ways to make gunpowder more powerful. They also designed weapons like muskets and cannons to harness the powder’s explosive properties.
In Medieval England, men known as firemasters would organize fireworks displays to mark religious celebrations and military victories. Their assistants were called “green men” because they wore hats woven of green leaves to protect their heads from sparks.
Next, European royalty began using fireworks to light their castles when they wished to mark special occasions. King Henry VII sponsored a giant display to celebrate his marriage, and James II put on a show to mark his coronation.
Fireworks eventually made it to America. According to one legend, John Smith set off the first fireworks display in 1608 in Jamestown, the very first settlement in what was to become the United States. On July 4, 1777, fireworks were used to celebrate the first anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and Americans have been enjoying fireworks displays every 4th of July since.
Exploding the Rainbow
Until the 1830s, fireworks were limited in their range of colors. They produced streaks of orange across the night sky, accompanied by loud booms. Fireworks masters also developed ways to create cascades of controlled fire, allowing them to design ground-based displays of sparks. They would create huge outlines of fire, drawing castles and dragons and ships against the dark background of the sky.
Pyrotechnics experts in Italy were the first to discover that they could change the color of the sparks by adding specific chemicals to the gunpowder. Fireworks were no longer limited to orange flashes but could produce a limited number of other colors. By precisely mixing the chemicals that produced these new colors, fireworks masters were able to create explosions of every color in the rainbow.
| Color | Chemical |
| red | strontium salts |
| orange | calcium salts |
| yellow | sodium compounds |
| green | barium compounds |
| blue | copper compounds |
The Technology Today
The standard fireworks used today contain four parts. The part you can see—the container, or shell—consists of a paper and string cylinder that holds the other components together tightly. Inside the shell are the stars—small balls or cubes of specially formulated chemicals that explode into specific colors and designs. The bursting charge is at the center of the shell and is what makes the stars explode outwards. Everything is linked together with a fuse that burns at a specific rate. This carefully calculated rate ensures that the fireworks explode at the proper height. Fireworks shells are shot from mortars—tiny “cannons” made of short sections of steel pipe. The bottom of the mortar is filled with black powder, which provides the initial explosion that launches the shell. When the shell gets to the correct height, the fuse lights the bursting charge, and the resulting explosion sends the stars flying out into their stunning patterns. Building fireworks is a precise, and very dangerous, science. A limited number of pyrotechnics experts in the world are licensed to design and build modern fireworks. These artists are always working to develop new colors and patterns to thrill and surprise us on special occasions.
chemist: a person who studies chemicals and their reactions
aerial: reaching high into the air
metallurgists: people who work with metal, often using metals to create weapons
coronation: a ceremony marking the crowning of a king or queen
