How the Internet Changed the World
Lexile: 850 | Grade: 5
Passage
Today, it’s hard to imagine life without the internet. We use it to watch videos, send messages, play games, and even learn new things. But the internet wasn’t always around. In fact, it’s a fairly recent invention that has changed the world in big ways.
The story of the internet began in the 1960s. Back then, computers were very large and expensive. Only universities and government labs had them. Scientists wanted to find a way to connect computers, so they could share information quickly and safely.
One of the first computer networks was called ARPANET. It was created by the U.S. government in 1969 to help researchers send data between computers. This idea of linking machines together was the first step toward what we now call the internet.
In the 1980s and 1990s, more and more people began using computers. New technology like email and websites made it easier to communicate and find information. Soon, the internet was spreading across the world.
Today, the internet connects billions of people. It helps doctors learn about new medicine, students research projects, and families stay in touch—even across oceans.
But with all its benefits, the internet also comes with challenges. People must learn how to stay safe online, check facts, and treat others with kindness, just like they would in real life.
The internet is one of the most important inventions of modern times. It changed how we live, learn, and connect—and it continues to grow every day.
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Questions
Q1: What is the main idea of the passage?
- A. Computers are the only way to use the internet.
- B. The internet was invented by one person in the 1960s.
- C. The internet changed how people communicate, learn, and live.
- D. The internet is only used for playing games and watching videos.
Q2: Which of the following happened first?
- A. The internet helped doctors and students.
- B. ARPANET was created to share data.
- C. People used websites and email.
- D. Families stayed in touch across oceans.
Q3: What is ARPANET?
- A. A modern website used for research
- B. A way to send emails to family
- C. An early computer network that helped lead to the internet
- D. A type of video game created in the 1960s
Q4: Why does the author say the internet 'comes with challenges'?
- A. The internet is hard to build.
- B. It is hard to find a computer in most places.
- C. People must learn to be safe and kind online.
- D. The internet makes school harder for kids.
Q5: What lesson does the passage teach about technology?
- A. Technology is only useful for scientists.
- B. Technology should only be used by adults.
- C. Inventions like the internet can improve life but must be used wisely.
- D. The internet is the only useful invention in the world.
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Answers & Reasoning
Q1: What is the main idea of the passage?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: The passage explains how the internet was invented and how it has changed the way people around the world live and learn.
Q2: Which of the following happened first?
✅ Correct Answer: B
💡 Reasoning: ARPANET was the first network mentioned in the timeline, created in 1969 before the internet became widely used.
Q3: What is ARPANET?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: The passage says ARPANET was an early network developed to send data between computers.
Q4: Why does the author say the internet 'comes with challenges'?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: The author explains that with the internet’s benefits, people also need to learn digital safety and respect.
Q5: What lesson does the passage teach about technology?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: The final paragraph and earlier warnings about safety show the author’s message: technology can be powerful, but also requires responsibility.
Printable Comprehension Practice
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