Chicago

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/chicago

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 Chicago?Northeastern Illinois, on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan
2. How many people live in Chicago?Approximately 2.7 million residents (city proper)
3. When was Chicago built?Settlement began in the 1780s; incorporated as a city in 1837
4. What is the main city?Chicago
5. Why is Chicago called "The Windy City"?Chicago is called "The Windy City" because lake breezes from Lake Michigan cool the summer and add chill in winter, and some say it also comes from the city’s lively political speeches.
6. How did Chicago become famous for its skyscrapers?After the Great Chicago Fire, builders used new techniques and designs to rebuild, creating tall, strong buildings that became the first skyscrapers in the world.

Prairie: A large, flat expanse of land dominated by grasses, historically defining the region's natural landscape.
Illinois and Michigan Canal: A historic waterway that connected the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River, crucial for Chicago's early economic development.
Skyscraper: An extremely tall building, a defining feature of Chicago's architectural innovation and skyline.
Mayoral System: A form of city government where a mayor serves as the chief executive, with significant executive powers.