Twins in Space: The Journey of Scott and Mark Kelly
Growing up in New Jersey, identical twin brothers Mark and Scott Kelly did almost everything together. Born just six minutes apart in 1964, the boys were energetic, curious, and always looking for adventure. When they were young, neither brother seemed destined for greatness in school. Scott often found it hard to pay attention in class, while Mark spent much of his time playing sports and working as an emergency medical technician. However, both brothers shared a love for excitement and a desire to serve their country.
Everything changed during college when Scott read a book about the brave pilots chosen for America's early space program. Inspired by the story, Scott decided he wanted to become a naval aviator. Around the same time, Mark discovered the same passion. Both brothers joined the United States Navy, learned to fly high-speed fighter jets, and became elite test pilots. Flying dangerous missions off the decks of giant aircraft carriers taught them how to stay calm under intense pressure.
- identical:
- Exactly the same, such as twins who develop from a single egg and share the same genes.
- microgravity:
- A condition in space where gravity seems very weak, causing objects and people to float.
- orbit:
- The curved path an object takes around a planet, moon, or star in space.
- control:
- A standard or unchanged subject in an experiment used for comparison.
- radiation:
- Energy sent out in the form of invisible waves or high-speed particles.
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Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Where did identical twin brothers Mark and Scott Kelly grow up?
- 2What inspired Scott Kelly to pursue a career as a naval aviator?
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About this biography passage for 4th Grade
“Twins in Space: The Journey of Scott and Mark Kelly” is a biography reading passage about Space Exploration, written for 4th Grade. It takes about 3 minutes to read (474 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.