TV
Televisions show sounds and pictures.
They get data from cables, discs, or
over-the-air signals. They turn this data
into sounds and images. People watch
news and shows on them. You
probably call them TVs.
John Baird made the first TV in 1925. By 1948 there were 4 big TV networks in
It had one color. It could only show 30 America. They aired their shows from 8 to
lines. This was just enough room for a 11 each night. Local shows were aired at
face. It didn't work well, but it was a other times. Most of the time, nothing was
start. shown at all. TV was not "always on" like
it is now.
The first TV station was set up in 1928.
It was in New York. Few people had Color TVs came out in 1953. They cost
TVs. The broadcasts were not meant to too much money for most. Also, shows
be watched. They showed a Felix the were aired in black and white. By
Cat doll for two hours a day. The doll 1965, color TVs were cheaper. TV
spun around on a record player. They stations started airing shows in color.
were experimenting. It took many years People had to switch if they wanted to see
to get it right. the shows.
By the end of the 1930s, TVs were Now most TVs are high-def. This means
working well. America got its first taste that they have many lines on them. This
at the 1939 World's Fair. This was one makes the image clear. TVs have come a
of the biggest events ever. There were long way since Baird's 30 line set. High-
200 small, black and white TVs set up def TVs have 1080 lines. There are state
around the fair. The U.S. President of the art sets called 4K TVs. These TVs
gave a speech over the TVs. The TVs have 3,840 lines. Some people watch TV
were only five inches big but the in 3D. I wonder what they will come up
people loved it. with next. Smell-o-vision anyone?
They wanted TVs. But World War II
was going on during this time.
Factories were busy making guns and
bombs. When the war was over, TV
spread across the country.
1. When did color TVs come out?
a.1925
b.1953
c.1939
d.1965
2. Which was not true about the first TV?
a.It could only show one color.
b.It only had 30 lines.
c.It did not have sound.
d.It did not work well.
3. When did networks start showing
programs in color?
a. 1948
b. 1953
c. 1965
d. 1939
4. Why did the first TV station only show
Felix the Cat for two hours a day?
a. They were running tests.
b. Felix the Cat was really popular.
c. Felix the Cat had been a big radio star.
d. Felix the Cat was the only show that
they had.
5. Which of these events slowed the spread
of TVs?
a. The World's Fair of 1939
b. The Civil War
c. The election of the U.S. President.
d. World War II
6. What is the author's main purpose in
writing this?
a. He is trying to explain how a TV works.
b. He is telling readers how TVs became
popular.
c. He is describing the history of the TV.
d. He is trying to get people to watch more
TV.
7. Why did many families switch to color
TVs in 1965?
a. Color TVs cost a lot of money.
b. Many shows were only shown in color.
c. Color TVs came out in 1965.
d. World War II ended and troops returned
home.
8. Why was 1939 an important year for
TV?
a. Many Americans were introduced to
TV. b. The first color TV was
released.
c. The first TV station began broadcasting.
d. John Baird created the first TV.
9. How many lines does a 4K TV have?
a. 30
b. 1,080
c. 4,000
d. 3,840
10. Which happened first?
a. The 1939 World's Fair
b. The release of high-def TVs
c. The end of World War II
d. The release of color TVs
