Alcatraz Island

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/alcatraz-island

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. Where is Alcatraz Island?San Francisco Bay, California, United States
2. How big is Alcatraz Island?22 acres (8.9 hectares)
3. When was Alcatraz Island built?Military fortification established mid-19th century; Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary established 1934
4. How many people live in Alcatraz Island?0 permanent residents (2024)
5. What is Alcatraz Island and why is it famous?Alcatraz Island is a small island in San Francisco Bay that was once a federal prison and later a site of Native American protest. It is famous for its tough natural defenses and its complex history.
6. Why was Alcatraz Island considered escape-proof?The island’s icy waters, strong tides, and isolation made it very hard for prisoners to escape. These natural barriers were key to keeping the prison secure.

Golden Gate Strait: The narrow maritime passage connecting San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean, known for its strong currents and fog.
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary: A maximum-security federal prison that operated from 1934 to 1963, renowned for its incorrigible inmates and escape-proof reputation.
Native American Occupation of Alcatraz: A 19-month protest by Native Americans from 1969 to 1971, highlighting issues of treaty rights and federal policy.