Ben Franklin and the Lightning Rod
Benjamin Franklin was a lot of things during his life. Some of the things he’s most remembered for was being an inventor and scientist. One of his inventions was the lightning rod. It was created to protect homes and buildings from fires resulting from direct lightning strikes. Students will read this fictional account of Franklin's discovery and answer questions on story details and character traits.
Reading Comprehension Passage
Ben Franklin and the Lightning Rod
Reading Comprehension Questions
Vocabulary List
Vocabulary List
Each of the vocabulary words below are used in the reading passage. As you read the passage, pay attention to context clues that suggest the word’s meaning.
- form
- confirmed
- attract
- divert
- dilemma
- drafting
- torrential
- effective
Context Clues
Context Clues
Using context clues from the sentences in the passage, underline the correct meaning of the word in boldface.
1) He knew lightning was a form of electricity from his experiment with the kite.
a. part b. structure c. type d. drawing
2) The lightning struck the key which confirmed that lightning was electrical.
a. denied b. supported c. refuted d. disproved
3) “Hmm. If the metal key attracts the lightning, maybe something can be made to attract it and divert it from harming homes.”
a. pull toward b. push away from c. harness d. collect
4) We just have to figure out how to divert the lightning through the rod safely to the ground.”
a. turn toward b. turn away from c. stop d. send up
5) “Yes, yes. That’s the dilemma.”
a. experiment b. question c. easy solution d. difficult choice
6) Ben and his assistant began drafting images of rods and wires to be put on top of buildings.
a. taking b. photographing c. sketching d. collecting
7) Finally, a thunderstorm brought heavy winds, torrential rain, and lots of thunder. Ben stood inside the tool shed watching and hoping for a direct hit.
a. seasonal b. a small amount c. an abundance d. light
8) They were so effective that a very large one was constructed on the dome of the State House in Maryland.
a. easy b. expensive c. cheap d. useful