Famous Scientists Robert Hooke

Non-fiction: Famous Scientists – Robert Hooke

Many people have never heard of Robert Hooke. He was a very important scientist. He discovered the cell1.

In 1665, Hooke created a very valuable microscope. It was the best microscope of his time. He was able to look at tiny objects like fleas and tiny slices of cork. These things had never be seen in such great detail before.

By studying these small objects, Hooke was the first person to discover the cells. He discovered them first in cork and then in plants. He noticed that the cells in the cork looked like the cells in a monastery (the small rooms where monks sleep). This discovery led scientists to make great discoveries in plant and animal science.

1 cell: the tiniest unit, the building block of living things

Questions: Famous Scientists – Robert Hooke

Name: ______Date:______

1. First Hooke ______, then he ______.

a. discovered cells, observed fleas b. observed corks, invented a microscope c. discovered cells, observed corks d. invented the microscope, discovered cells

2. A picture of ______would best suit this passage. a. Robert Hooke b. cork slices c. Sir Isaac Newton d. monastery cells

3. A microscope helps you to see

a. things that are far away. b. things that are tiny. c. small plants. d. small animals.

4. The following is an opinion.

a. Robert Hooke is not well known. b. Robert Hooke invented the microscope. c. Robert Hooke discovered cells. d. Robert Hooke was a scientist.

5. Based on the passage, it is likely that Hooke

a. did not create the microscope b. created the microscope to study really large objects c. was able to discover cells because of his microscope d. was able to discover cells because he used to be a monk

Questions: Famous Scientists – Robert Hooke

6. Why did Hooke compare cells to a monastery?

______

7. Based on this passage, why was Robert Hooke an important person in science?

______

8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

Many people have never heard of Robert Hooke, ______he was a very important scientist.

a. even though b. and c. since d. because

9. Answer the following questions based on the sentence below.

In 1665, Hooke made a valuable contribution to science by creating the microscope.

Who? Hooke

(did) What? ______

When? ______

How? ______

10. Vocabulary Word: valuable: worth a lot, very important.

Use the vocabulary word in a sentence: ______

______

Answers: Famous Scientists – Robert Hooke

Teacher Guide and Answers

Passage Reading Level: Lexile 690

Featured Text Structure: Descriptive – the writer explains, defines or illustrates a concept or topic

Passage Summary: This passage describes the important work of Robert Hooke, a scientist who created the microscope and discovered cells. These two discoveries allowed future scientists to make more discoveries in plant and animal science.

1. First Hooke ______, then he ______. a. discovered cells, observed fleas b. observed corks, invented a microscope c. discovered cells, observed corks d. invented the microscope, discovered cells

2. A picture of ______would best suit this passage. a. Robert Hooke b. cork slices c. Sir Isaac Newton d. monastery cells

3. A microscope helps you to see a. things that are far away. b. things that are tiny. c. small plants. d. small animals.

4. The following is an opinion. a. Robert Hooke is not well known. b. Robert Hooke invented the microscope. c. Robert Hooke discovered cells. d. Robert Hooke was a scientist.

5. Based on the passage, it is likely that Hooke a. did not create the microscope b. created the microscope to study really large objects c. was able to discover cells because of his microscope d. was able to discover cells because he used to be a monk

Answers: Famous Scientists – Robert Hooke

6. Why did Hooke compare cells to a monastery?

Suggested answer: Hooke thought that the cells looked like little rooms, all lined up, similar to the way that monasteries are designed.

7. Based on this passage, why was Robert Hooke an important person in science?

Suggested answer: Robert Hooke created the microscope, which allowed other scientists to see much smaller objects. His discovery of cells allowed other scientists to make other discoveries about plants and animals.

8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

Many people have never heard of Robert Hooke, ______he was a very important scientist.

a. even though b. and c. since d. because

9. Answer the following questions based on the sentence below.

In 1665, Hooke made a valuable contribution to science by creating the microscope.

Who? Hooke

(did) What? made a valuable contribution to science

When? in 1665

How? by creating the microscope

10. Vocabulary Word: valuable: worth a lot, very important.

Use the vocabulary word in a sentence: answers may vary.