Gentle Giant, The Tongue-Cut Sparrow, It Has Survived Reading Comprehension Worksheet
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7READING
Read the passage below about a “Gentle Giant.” Then answer the question that follows.
Robert Pershing Wadlow
Robert Pershing Wadlow was born,
the shoe company. There was a quiet manner
educated, and buried in Alton, Illinois. His
about Robert that earned him the title “Gentle
height of 8' 11.1" makes him the tallest person
Giant.”
in history, as recorded in the Guinness Book
He established his place in the history
of Records. At the time of his death he
books when he passed eight feet, four inches
weighed 490 pounds.
in 1937. He beat the record that was
Robert was born on February 22, 1918,
previously held by an Irishman who died in
and weighed a normal eight pounds, six
1877.
ounces. He drew attention when at six months
Robert's unique size was caused by an
old, he weighed 30 pounds. A year later at 18
overactive pituitary gland. His body produced
months, he weighed 62 pounds. He continued
levels of growth hormones that were much
to grow at a very fast rate. He reached six
higher than normal. Today's medical science
feet, two inches and 195 pounds by the time
can correct such a problem, but in the 1920s
he was eight years old.
there was no therapy available.
Robert was the oldest son of Addie and
Robert had enjoyed good health, but his
Harold Wadlow. Later, the Wadlow family
large feet had troubled him for many years.
added two sisters, Helen and Betty, and two
He had little feeling in his feet. He did not
brothers, Eugene and Harold, Jr. Despite
notice any chafing until blisters formed.
Robert's size, all of his family members were
While making an appearance in Manistee,
of normal height and weight.
Michigan, in July 1940, a fatal infection set in
Trying to live a normal life, Robert
when a blister formed. On July 4th, doctors
enjoyed photography and collecting stamps.
had Robert confined to a hotel bed, unable to
He became the world's tallest Boy Scout at
find a suitable bed at the local hospital. Over
seven feet, four inches, when he was 13 years
the next weeks, he had emergency surgery
old.
and blood transfusions. However, the
infection stayed and his temperature
At age 18, he had reached eight feet, four
continued to rise. At 1:30 a.m., on the 15th of
inches tall, and weighed 390 pounds. His
July, Robert Wadlow passed away in his
clothes required three times the normal
sleep.
amount of cloth. His size 37 shoes cost $100 a
pair (a lot of money back in the 1930s). Two
Robert Wadlow holds a special place in
years later his shoes were provided free by the
Alton's history. In 1984, a citizens’ group set
International Shoe Company.
up plans to remember Robert. In 1985, a
bronze statue was placed on the campus of the
When he turned 20, Robert went on tour
Southern Illinois University School of Dental
across the country for the shoe company. He
Medicine. He is remembered as a quiet young
visited over 800 towns and 41 states. His
man who overcame a unique handicap. He
father had to change the family car by taking
was an inspiration to all those who knew him.
out the front passenger seat. This change let
Robert sit in the backseat and stretch out his
long legs. The father and son team traveled
over 300,000 miles on their goodwill tour for
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