Portrait of Albert Einstein, renowned physicist.

Grade 5 Reading Comprehension Worksheet: Albert Einstein

Let's go through the passage and answer each question based on the information provided.

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#### Passage Summary
The passage tells the story of Albert Einstein’s life, from his early years to his major scientific contributions. It highlights:
- His birth in Germany in 1879.
- His parents’ professions (father: electrical engineer; mother: musician).
- That he didn’t speak until age two.
- A compass at age six sparked his curiosity about science.
- He attended school in Munich and later lived in Italy and Switzerland.
- He worked at the Swiss Patent Office.
- In 1905, he published three groundbreaking papers.
- He won the Nobel Prize in 1921 for the photoelectric effect.
- He developed theories on mass-energy relation and special relativity.
- Later, he moved to Princeton, USA, and contributed to general relativity.
- He died at age 76.

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Answer Each Question

#### 1. What do you know about the early life of Albert Einstein?

Answer:
Albert Einstein was born on March 14, 1879, in Ulm, Germany. His father was an electrical engineer, and his mother was a musician who taught him music. He didn't start speaking until he was two years old. At age six, his father gave him a compass, which fascinated him because the needle always pointed north. This experience sparked a deep curiosity in science and nature. He attended Luitpold Gymnasium in Munich and later spent time in Italy before moving to Zurich, Switzerland.

> ✔ *This answer includes key details about his birth, family, speech development, and early influences.*

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#### 2. Where did Einstein job?

Answer:
Einstein worked at the Swiss Patent Office in Zurich, Switzerland. There, he examined patents for people’s inventions.

> ✔ *This is clearly stated in the passage: "He took a job at the Swiss Patent Office..."*

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#### 3. Why was the year 1905 a remarkable year for Einstein?

Answer:
The year 1905 was remarkable because Einstein published three outstanding scientific papers that changed physics. These included:
- The photoelectric law (for which he later won the Nobel Prize),
- A paper on the relationship between mass and energy,
- And the Special Theory of Relativity, where he concluded that the speed of light is constant at 186,000 miles per second.

> ✔ *These three papers are known as his "Annus Mirabilis" or "miracle year."*

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#### 4. What was Einstein’s major work?

Answer:
Einstein’s major work included developing the Special Theory of Relativity and the General Theory of Relativity, which are considered pillars of modern physics. He also explained the photoelectric effect, earning him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921. His work greatly influenced both science and the philosophy of science.

> ✔ *The passage emphasizes his theories of relativity and the photoelectric effect as central to his legacy.*

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✔ Final Answers:

1. Early Life: Born in Germany in 1879; didn’t speak until age two; received a compass at age six that sparked curiosity; attended school in Munich; moved to Switzerland.
2. Job Location: Swiss Patent Office in Zurich, Switzerland.
3. 1905 Remarkable Year: Published three groundbreaking papers on the photoelectric effect, mass-energy relation, and Special Theory of Relativity.
4. Major Work: Developed the Special and General Theories of Relativity and explained the photoelectric effect—revolutionizing modern physics.

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