Question
On a dark May night in 1927, starlight flickered on
the silver wings of a small plane as it sputtered on
through the sky. Through the side window, the pilot
could see the glow of the city of Paris. He glided
over villages and farms, and then the large
buildings of the city were beneath him. After
circling the Eiffel Tower, he began searching for
Le Bourget Airport. At last he was descending,
following the lights of the runway. As he drew
closer, he could see arms waving and hear 100,000
voices cheering. Charles Lindbergh breathed a sigh
of relief as his wheels touched the pavement. After
331⁄2 hours in the air, he had done what no pilot
had accomplished before. Lindbergh had crossed
the Atlantic Ocean from New York to Paris in a
single flight.
Young Pilot
2 At age 25 Lindbergh had already become known as an excellent pilot, at least in
St. Louis, Missouri, where he lived at that time. A veteran of barnstorming, or
trick flying, Lindbergh had also become the chief pilot for the airmail service
between St. Louis and Chicago. But Lindbergh longed for more.
3 Lindbergh decided to accept a challenge offered by New York hotel owner
Raymond Orteig in 1920. Orteig had challenged pilots to fly from New York to
Paris in one trip. Several pilots had tried to make this flight and failed. Still
Lindbergh and other pilots were preparing to attempt the challenge. Most were
planning to fly large, sturdy planes with multiple engines. Lindbergh believed
this was the wrong approach. A lighter, smaller plane, with only one person on
board and a single engine, would conserve fuel and have the best chance of
completing the trip.
A Dream Becomes Real
4 After speaking with some businessmen in St. Louis, Lindbergh convinced them
to support his idea. They provided $15,000, and Lindbergh searched for a
company to make his plane. Wherever he went, aircraft makers rejected his
ideas. But at last, a small company agreed to build his plane. They believed in
him and completed the project in only two months.
Reading
Page 26
Lindbergh with the Spirit of St. Louis.
This plane can now be seen at the
Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C.
New York Daily News Archive/Contributor
5 The plane, which Lindbergh named the
Spirit of St. Louis, had a unique design.
Instead of placing the gas tank behind
the pilot’s seat, as was usually done,
Lindbergh had it placed in front of him.
He didn’t want to be caught between
the tank and the engine if the plane
went down. However, this meant that
Lindbergh would not be able to see out
the front window. He didn’t mind,
though. “There’s not much need to see
ahead in normal flight,” he told the
designer. In order to see, Lindbergh
had to bank, or tilt, his plane slightly.
If necessary, he could use a periscope,
an instrument that helped him see
objects outside the plane.
6 Having the lightest plane possible was very important. Instead of using a heavy
pilot’s seat, Lindbergh wedged a lightweight wicker chair into the plane. He
packed only the items he considered essential—a raft, a knife, and a flashlight.
His plane included a few tools, such as oil pressure and temperature gauges, a
clock, and a compass. His efforts to rid the plane of any unnecessary weight also
included trimming his flight maps and wearing specially designed lightweight
boots.
7 Lindbergh made numerous short test flights in his new plane before flying from
California to New York in only 20 hours and 21 minutes. With this, he set a new
transcontinental record. When he reached New York City, he found several other
pilots there, preparing for their flight to Paris. However, bad weather kept them
from leaving.
8 On May 20, 1927, Lindbergh found a small break in the weather. Just after dawn
he filled extra gas tanks with 450 gallons of fuel, placed them inside the plane,
and took off. His plane wobbled on bulging wheels down the muddy runway.
“The Spirit of St. Louis feels more like an overloaded truck than an airplane,” he
wrote. Although the wind was blowing in the wrong direction and the engine felt
weak, Lindbergh urged the plane forward. At the last second, it lifted off. It
cleared power lines by only 20 feet.
The Flight
9 Armed with only a few sandwiches and some water, Lindbergh was in for a
3,600-mile flight. He was already exhausted because he had not gotten any
sleep the night before. He flew very low over land, ocean, and ice, navigating
through fog and darkness. His compass and the stars guided him. His body grew
stiff, and his legs and feet became cramped. At times he felt himself drifting off
to sleep, so he opened the window and gulped in fresh air to make himself alert.
10 After 27 hours Lindbergh flew over some fishing boats. “Which way is Ireland?”
he shouted, but no one answered. So he continued, gaining energy as he flew
over Ireland, England, the English Channel, and France.
Reading
Page 27
11 When Lindbergh finally arrived in
Paris, the excited crowd lifted
him up and carried him. Later
royal leaders and the president
of the United States presented
him with awards. Lindbergh’s
incredible journey had made him
an international star and inspired
young dreamers everywhere.
How do Linbergh's essential tools, as described in paragraph 6, contribute to his success?
Stacey Hallam
•
Mar 28
100 points
Due Mar 28, 11:59 PM
📖
Make sure you understand what the question is asking.
Look for keywords like
If needed, underline or highlight important parts of the question.
📝
Begin your answer by .
This helps you stay on topic and clearly answer what’s being asked.
Example:
🔍
Find a from the story that supports your answer.
Make sure your evidence is .
Example:
💡
Don’t just give the quote—.
Connect your evidence back to the question.
Example:
✅
Read your answer and ask yourself:
🏆
The more you practice, the better you’ll get!
Always aim for a clear, strong answer that includes evidence and explanation.
the silver wings of a small plane as it sputtered on
through the sky. Through the side window, the pilot
could see the glow of the city of Paris. He glided
over villages and farms, and then the large
buildings of the city were beneath him. After
circling the Eiffel Tower, he began searching for
Le Bourget Airport. At last he was descending,
following the lights of the runway. As he drew
closer, he could see arms waving and hear 100,000
voices cheering. Charles Lindbergh breathed a sigh
of relief as his wheels touched the pavement. After
331⁄2 hours in the air, he had done what no pilot
had accomplished before. Lindbergh had crossed
the Atlantic Ocean from New York to Paris in a
single flight.
Young Pilot
2 At age 25 Lindbergh had already become known as an excellent pilot, at least in
St. Louis, Missouri, where he lived at that time. A veteran of barnstorming, or
trick flying, Lindbergh had also become the chief pilot for the airmail service
between St. Louis and Chicago. But Lindbergh longed for more.
3 Lindbergh decided to accept a challenge offered by New York hotel owner
Raymond Orteig in 1920. Orteig had challenged pilots to fly from New York to
Paris in one trip. Several pilots had tried to make this flight and failed. Still
Lindbergh and other pilots were preparing to attempt the challenge. Most were
planning to fly large, sturdy planes with multiple engines. Lindbergh believed
this was the wrong approach. A lighter, smaller plane, with only one person on
board and a single engine, would conserve fuel and have the best chance of
completing the trip.
A Dream Becomes Real
4 After speaking with some businessmen in St. Louis, Lindbergh convinced them
to support his idea. They provided $15,000, and Lindbergh searched for a
company to make his plane. Wherever he went, aircraft makers rejected his
ideas. But at last, a small company agreed to build his plane. They believed in
him and completed the project in only two months.
Reading
Page 26
Lindbergh with the Spirit of St. Louis.
This plane can now be seen at the
Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C.
New York Daily News Archive/Contributor
5 The plane, which Lindbergh named the
Spirit of St. Louis, had a unique design.
Instead of placing the gas tank behind
the pilot’s seat, as was usually done,
Lindbergh had it placed in front of him.
He didn’t want to be caught between
the tank and the engine if the plane
went down. However, this meant that
Lindbergh would not be able to see out
the front window. He didn’t mind,
though. “There’s not much need to see
ahead in normal flight,” he told the
designer. In order to see, Lindbergh
had to bank, or tilt, his plane slightly.
If necessary, he could use a periscope,
an instrument that helped him see
objects outside the plane.
6 Having the lightest plane possible was very important. Instead of using a heavy
pilot’s seat, Lindbergh wedged a lightweight wicker chair into the plane. He
packed only the items he considered essential—a raft, a knife, and a flashlight.
His plane included a few tools, such as oil pressure and temperature gauges, a
clock, and a compass. His efforts to rid the plane of any unnecessary weight also
included trimming his flight maps and wearing specially designed lightweight
boots.
7 Lindbergh made numerous short test flights in his new plane before flying from
California to New York in only 20 hours and 21 minutes. With this, he set a new
transcontinental record. When he reached New York City, he found several other
pilots there, preparing for their flight to Paris. However, bad weather kept them
from leaving.
8 On May 20, 1927, Lindbergh found a small break in the weather. Just after dawn
he filled extra gas tanks with 450 gallons of fuel, placed them inside the plane,
and took off. His plane wobbled on bulging wheels down the muddy runway.
“The Spirit of St. Louis feels more like an overloaded truck than an airplane,” he
wrote. Although the wind was blowing in the wrong direction and the engine felt
weak, Lindbergh urged the plane forward. At the last second, it lifted off. It
cleared power lines by only 20 feet.
The Flight
9 Armed with only a few sandwiches and some water, Lindbergh was in for a
3,600-mile flight. He was already exhausted because he had not gotten any
sleep the night before. He flew very low over land, ocean, and ice, navigating
through fog and darkness. His compass and the stars guided him. His body grew
stiff, and his legs and feet became cramped. At times he felt himself drifting off
to sleep, so he opened the window and gulped in fresh air to make himself alert.
10 After 27 hours Lindbergh flew over some fishing boats. “Which way is Ireland?”
he shouted, but no one answered. So he continued, gaining energy as he flew
over Ireland, England, the English Channel, and France.
Reading
Page 27
11 When Lindbergh finally arrived in
Paris, the excited crowd lifted
him up and carried him. Later
royal leaders and the president
of the United States presented
him with awards. Lindbergh’s
incredible journey had made him
an international star and inspired
young dreamers everywhere.
How do Linbergh's essential tools, as described in paragraph 6, contribute to his success?
Stacey Hallam
•
Mar 28
100 points
Due Mar 28, 11:59 PM
📖
Make sure you understand what the question is asking.
Look for keywords like
If needed, underline or highlight important parts of the question.
📝
Begin your answer by .
This helps you stay on topic and clearly answer what’s being asked.
Example:
🔍
Find a from the story that supports your answer.
Make sure your evidence is .
Example:
💡
Don’t just give the quote—.
Connect your evidence back to the question.
Example:
✅
Read your answer and ask yourself:
🏆
The more you practice, the better you’ll get!
Always aim for a clear, strong answer that includes evidence and explanation.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
To answer the question regarding how Lindbergh's essential tools, as described in paragraph 6, contribute to his success, we can follow the suggested structure.
**Answer:**
Lindbergh's essential tools, including his oil pressure and temperature gauges, clock, and compass, were vital for navigating the long and treacherous flight from New York to Paris. By having these instruments, Lindbergh was able to monitor the performance of his plane and maintain proper course and altitude throughout the journey.
**Evidence:**
The text states, "His plane included a few tools, such as oil pressure and temperature gauges, a clock, and a compass."
**Explanation:**
These tools allowed Lindbergh to ensure that the engine was functioning properly, which was crucial for such a long flight. The compass, in particular, helped him navigate the vast stretches of ocean and land, enabling him to keep on course despite the challenges of fatigue and changing weather conditions. Without these essential instruments, he might have become disoriented or faced mechanical failures, potentially jeopardizing his historic flight.
**Self-check:**
Upon reviewing the answer, I clearly addressed the question by outlining the importance of Lindbergh's tools, provided appropriate evidence from the text, and explained how these contributed to his success in making a groundbreaking transatlantic flight. The answer is clear and relevant, highlighting the crucial role of the instruments in achieving his goal.
**Answer:**
Lindbergh's essential tools, including his oil pressure and temperature gauges, clock, and compass, were vital for navigating the long and treacherous flight from New York to Paris. By having these instruments, Lindbergh was able to monitor the performance of his plane and maintain proper course and altitude throughout the journey.
**Evidence:**
The text states, "His plane included a few tools, such as oil pressure and temperature gauges, a clock, and a compass."
**Explanation:**
These tools allowed Lindbergh to ensure that the engine was functioning properly, which was crucial for such a long flight. The compass, in particular, helped him navigate the vast stretches of ocean and land, enabling him to keep on course despite the challenges of fatigue and changing weather conditions. Without these essential instruments, he might have become disoriented or faced mechanical failures, potentially jeopardizing his historic flight.
**Self-check:**
Upon reviewing the answer, I clearly addressed the question by outlining the importance of Lindbergh's tools, provided appropriate evidence from the text, and explained how these contributed to his success in making a groundbreaking transatlantic flight. The answer is clear and relevant, highlighting the crucial role of the instruments in achieving his goal.