Bridge Suspension System — Questions and answers

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What was a big problem with old bridge designs, according to John Augustus Roebling?

Choices

  1. They were too expensive to build.
  2. They struggled to span long distances over deep water. ✓
  3. People didn't dream of crossing rivers.
  4. They were made of metal, which rusted.

Answer: They struggled to span long distances over deep water.

From page 1

What kind of force did Roebling want to use to build better bridges?

Choices

  1. Pushing forces
  2. Twisting forces
  3. Pulling forces (tensile strength) ✓
  4. Magnetic forces

Answer: Pulling forces (tensile strength)

From page 2

What was John Augustus Roebling's revolutionary idea for building strong bridges?

Choices

  1. Using very thick stone pillars.
  2. Using extremely heavy wooden beams.
  3. Using wire rope. ✓
  4. Making bridges float.

Answer: Using wire rope.

From page 4

What was special about Roebling's 'in-situ' method for making bridge cables?

Choices

  1. He made cables from wood.
  2. He transported giant, pre-made cables.
  3. He spun thousands of wires together directly across the river. ✓
  4. He made cables that were very heavy and stiff.

Answer: He spun thousands of wires together directly across the river.

From page 6

In a suspension bridge, what do the main cables do?

Choices

  1. They push downwards into the earth.
  2. They hold the bridge up by pulling with tensile strength. ✓
  3. They make the bridge sway in the wind.
  4. They are only for decoration.

Answer: They hold the bridge up by pulling with tensile strength.

From page 7

Which two famous bridges first showed that Roebling's wire rope system worked well?

Choices

  1. Golden Gate Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge.
  2. Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge and John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge in Cincinnati. ✓
  3. Stone Arch Bridge and Timber Beam Bridge.
  4. Roebling's Workshop Bridge and Hayes's River Bridge.

Answer: Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge and John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge in Cincinnati.

From page 8

Who helped complete the Brooklyn Bridge after John A. Roebling died?

Choices

  1. Mr. Hayes and a younger engineer.
  2. His son Washington Roebling and daughter-in-law Emily Warren Roebling. ✓
  3. Ralph Waldo Emerson.
  4. Seneca the philosopher.

Answer: His son Washington Roebling and daughter-in-law Emily Warren Roebling.

From page 9

How did Roebling's bridge system change the world?

Choices

  1. It stopped people from traveling.
  2. It allowed people to build bridges only over small streams.
  3. It helped build monumental crossings worldwide, connecting communities. ✓
  4. It made bridges less safe.

Answer: It helped build monumental crossings worldwide, connecting communities.

From page 10