Ed White Steps Outside
On June 3, 1965, astronaut Ed White did something no American had ever done before. High above Earth, traveling at more than 17,000 miles per hour inside the Gemini IV spacecraft, White prepared to step out into the empty vacuum of space. Earlier that year, a Soviet cosmonaut named Alexei Leonov had performed the world's first spacewalk. Now, NASA was ready to show that an American astronaut could also work and survive outside an orbiting craft.
Stepping into space is not as simple as opening a car door. Outside the capsule, there is no air to breathe, and temperatures can swing from boiling hot in direct sunlight to freezing cold in the shadows. To stay alive, White wore a specialized, layered pressure suit that provided oxygen and shielded his body from the harsh environment. His gold-coated helmet visor protected his eyes from the blinding glare of unfiltered sunlight.
Before White could open the hatch, he and his command pilot, James McDivitt, had to prepare the cabin. The Gemini capsule had no separate airlock, which meant both astronauts had to put on their helmets and seal their suits. Next, they pumped all the air out of the entire spacecraft. Only when the cabin pressure matched the vacuum of space could White push open the heavy hatch above his seat.
- vacuum:
- A space that is completely empty of air and other matter.
- capsule:
- A small, sealed compartment or spacecraft designed to hold astronauts.
- airlock:
- A special airtight chamber that allows people to exit a spacecraft without losing all the air inside.
- tether:
- A strong rope or cable used to connect a person or object to something secure.
- maneuvering:
- Moving or steering carefully to change direction or position.
- milestone:
- An important event or accomplishment marking a major stage of progress.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Vocabulary
Practice words from the passage with a printable worksheet.
Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
Fix the Sentence
Practice editing sentences drawn from this passage with a printable worksheet.
Ready to use this passage in class?
Start free with the Mixed worksheet and 3 PDF downloads each week. Focused skill sets depend on plan.
Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What historic accomplishment did Ed White achieve on June 3, 1965?
- 2Why did astronauts need special protection like a pressure suit and a gold-coated visor in space?
You Might Also Like
About this explanatory article passage for 4th Grade
“Ed White Steps Outside” is a explanatory article reading passage about Ed White's historic spacewalk, written for 4th Grade. It takes about 3 minutes to read (453 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.