Toys

There’s nothing silly about the toy industry.  Over the past ten years, 100 billion dollars of toys have been sold, and there will be $20 billion more sold this year.  That’s a lot of Barbie dolls and video games!

Like everything else, toys have changed over time.  Today, the basic wooden soldier just wouldn’t be okay with most children.  These classic toys have been replaced by exciting action figures, complete with moving parts and sound effects.

Modern toys are enough to make any adult jealous.  There are little cars that can actually run, toy airplanes that can fly, and small trains with their own track.  Of course, there are still plenty of dolls, action figures, and stuffed animals.  You can also get board games, video games, and puzzles…

In short, if you can imagine it, they probably make a toy for it!


 

Reading Comprehension Questions

1)     Which of the following is the main idea of the passage?

a.      Simple toys are of lower quality than modern toys.

b.      The toy industry is huge and is always changing.

c.      The most profitable industry will soon be the toy industry.

d.      It is getting much more difficult to please children with toys.

 

2)     In the 2nd paragraph of the above passage, which of these “wouldn’t be okay with most children”?

a.      toys that are too complicated

b.      toys that are too simple

c.      toys that seem too real

d.      toys that are too expensive

 

3)     The author of the above passage would agree with which of the following statements?

a.      “The toy industry is constantly growing.”

b.      “Children in every generation enjoy the same toys.”

c.      “Barbie dolls are the most popular selling toy ever.”

d.      “Toys do not provide enough entertainment for children.”

 

4)     In the above passage, what is the author’s tone when he writes about modern toys?

a.      annoyed

b.      uninterested

c.      impressed

d.      confused

 

5)     The above passage was most likely taken from a book about which of the following?

a.      making your own toys

b.      the history of toys

c.      repairing toys

d.      teaching with toys

Answer Key

1)     Which of the following is the main idea of the passage?

a.      Simple toys are of lower quality than modern toys.

b.     The toy industry is huge and is always changing.

c.      The most profitable industry will soon be the toy industry.

d.      It is getting much more difficult to please children with toys.

 

2)     In the 2nd paragraph of the above passage, which of these “wouldn’t be okay with most children”?

a.      toys that are too complicated

b.     toys that are too simple

c.      toys that seem too real

d.      toys that are too expensive

 

3)     The author of the above passage would agree with which of the following statements?

a.      “The toy industry is constantly growing.”

b.      “Children in every generation enjoy the same toys.”

c.      “Barbie dolls are the most popular selling toy ever.”

d.      “Toys do not provide enough entertainment for children.”

 

4)     In the above passage, what is the author’s tone when he writes about modern toys?

a.      annoyed

b.      uninterested

c.      impressed

d.      confused

 

5)     The above passage was most likely taken from a book about which of the following?

a.      making your own toys

b.     the history of toys

c.      repairing toys

d.      teaching with toys