Who Was Steve Jobs?

Lexile: 750 | Grade: 5

Passage

Steve Jobs was a man who changed the way people think about technology. He helped create the iPhone, iPad, and other tools that millions of people use every day. But his journey was not always smooth.

Steve was born in California in 1955 and showed an early interest in electronics. As a young adult, he worked in his garage with his friend Steve Wozniak to build one of the first personal computers. Together, they started a company called Apple in 1976.

Jobs had big ideas. He believed computers could be simple and beautiful—not just for scientists, but for everyone. Under his leadership, Apple became famous for making technology easier to use. He helped launch the Macintosh, the iPod, the iPhone, and the iPad—devices that changed the way people listen to music, talk to each other, and learn new things.

But Steve’s path had setbacks too. In 1985, he was forced to leave Apple after a disagreement with the company’s board. For many people, that would have been the end of the story. But not for Steve. He started a new computer company called NeXT and bought a small animation company that would become Pixar. Pixar went on to make famous movies like *Toy Story* and *Finding Nemo*.

In 1997, Steve returned to Apple, and the company became even more successful. His bold ideas helped Apple grow into one of the most valuable companies in the world. Steve Jobs passed away in 2011, but his creativity and vision still shape how people use technology today.

Questions

Q1: What is the main idea of the passage?

  • A. Steve Jobs only worked on movies at Pixar.
  • B. Steve Jobs became famous for his art skills.
  • C. Steve Jobs changed technology through creative ideas and hard work.
  • D. Steve Jobs invented the first television.

Q2: Why did Steve Jobs leave Apple in 1985?

  • A. He wanted to start a pizza business.
  • B. He was tired of working on computers.
  • C. He disagreed with the company’s board.
  • D. He decided to become a teacher.

Q3: What does the passage suggest about Steve Jobs’s personality?

  • A. He gave up easily when things got hard.
  • B. He liked to copy other people’s work.
  • C. He had big ideas and didn’t give up, even after setbacks.
  • D. He didn’t enjoy working with other people.

Q4: Why is Pixar mentioned in the passage?

  • A. To show that Steve Jobs worked with musicians
  • B. To explain why Steve Jobs became a movie director
  • C. To show that Steve Jobs helped create famous animated movies
  • D. To show he liked cartoons as a child

Q5: Which of the following devices was NOT mentioned as a creation Jobs helped with?

  • A. iPhone
  • B. iPad
  • C. iPod
  • D. Television

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Answers & Reasoning

Q1: What is the main idea of the passage?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The passage shows how Steve Jobs used innovation and determination to impact the world through technology.

Q2: Why did Steve Jobs leave Apple in 1985?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The passage states that Jobs left after a disagreement with Apple’s board.

Q3: What does the passage suggest about Steve Jobs’s personality?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: Jobs’s determination is shown by how he started new companies and later returned to lead Apple.

Q4: Why is Pixar mentioned in the passage?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The passage explains how Jobs helped Pixar become successful by producing hit movies.

Q5: Which of the following devices was NOT mentioned as a creation Jobs helped with?

✅ Correct Answer: D

💡 Reasoning: The iPhone, iPad, and iPod are listed as Apple products influenced by Jobs, but not television.