Vincent Thomas Bridge

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/vincent-thomas-bridge

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. How long is Vincent Thomas Bridge?1,500 feet (460 m)
2. How tall is Vincent Thomas Bridge?Approximately 185 feet (56 m)
3. What is the bridge type?Suspension bridge
4. What is the location?Los Angeles Harbor, California, connecting San Pedro and Terminal Island
5. Why is the bridge called the Vincent Thomas Bridge?It is named after Vincent Thomas, a California Assemblyman who worked hard to get the bridge built.
6. What makes the bridge special in engineering?It was the first U.S. suspension bridge to use welding instead of rivets and it uses pre‑stressed concrete, which makes it strong and quick to build.

Suspension Bridge: A bridge that relies on the tension of large cables to support the deck, allowing for long spans.
Pre-stressed Concrete: Concrete that has been subjected to tensile stress before it is subjected to external loads, enhancing its load-bearing capacity.
Welding: A process of joining materials, typically metals, by melting them and allowing them to cool and fuse together.
Maritime Commerce: The trade and transportation of goods conducted via sea or ocean routes.