How the Smithsonian Began
A museum visitor pauses before a display of natural-history specimens and scientific objects. Each item has a carefully written label explaining what it is or where it came from. Behind that display is an institution created to do more than collect interesting things: the Smithsonian was established to increase and share knowledge.
The Smithsonian Institution began with an unusual gift. James Smithson was a British scientist who died in 1829. In his will, he left his property to his nephew. But Smithson included another direction: if his nephew died without children, the money would go to the United States to establish an institution in Washington, D.C. Its purpose would be the increase and spread of knowledge.
Smithson’s nephew died in 1835 without children. The United States then had to decide whether to accept the gift and how to carry out Smithson’s wishes. The money reached the United States in 1838, but accepting it did not settle every question. Smithson had described a broad purpose, not a detailed plan for a building or a collection.
- institution:
- An organization established for a particular purpose.
- specimens:
- Examples of living things or natural objects collected for study.
- property:
- Things or money that a person owns.
- preserve:
- To protect and care for something so it lasts.
- collections:
- Groups of objects gathered and kept together.
- exhibits:
- Displays of objects for people to look at and learn from.
- evidence:
- Information or objects that help people learn or answer questions.
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 was Smithson's main purpose for the institution, and how does the Smithsonian carry out that purpose today?
- 2Why did Smithson's gift go to the United States instead of remaining with his nephew?
You Might Also Like
About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
“How the Smithsonian Began” is a explanatory article reading passage about Smithsonian Institution, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (488 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.