Richard Halliburton

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

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/richard-halliburton

1. When was Richard Halliburton born?
2. What did Richard Halliburton do that made people think of him as a super‑adventurer?
3. Why did Halliburton pay only 36 cents for his Panama Canal swim?

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. When was Richard Halliburton born?January 9, 1900
2. What did Richard Halliburton do that made people think of him as a super‑adventurer?He swam the entire Panama Canal, a 50‑mile waterway full of ships and locks, showing his love for daring challenges.
3. Why did Halliburton pay only 36 cents for his Panama Canal swim?He wanted to experience the canal in a personal, non‑commercial way and prove that adventure could be about the challenge, not money.

Adventure Travel Writing: A literary genre focusing on personal experiences and daring exploits in diverse and often challenging locations.
Panama Canal: A critical maritime route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, significantly reducing travel time between the two bodies of water.
Chinese Junk: A traditional Chinese sailing vessel, historically used for trade and exploration, characterized by its distinctive battened sails.
Golden Gate International Exposition: A world's fair held in San Francisco in 1939, celebrating the cultures of the Pacific Rim and featuring international exhibits.