The Amazing Marie Curie

Early Life and Education 1 Marie Curie was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1867. As a schoolgirl, Maire liked science. She was an excellent student. When Curie was older, she wanted to study science and math at a college in Warsaw. But women weren’t allowed. Instead, Curie read textbooks. She also studied with other women at a secret school.2 Finally, at age 24, Curie started college in France. It was a famous college called the Sorbonne. Curie didn’t have much science training. But she worked hard. She was the best student in her class. Curie graduated with a science degree in 1893. The next year, she graduated with a math degree. Science Discoveries 3 In 1896, Curie heard about a new discovery. Another scientist was working with an element called uranium. An element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down any further. The scientists noticed that uranium naturally gives off a type of energy.4 Curie became interested in this energy. She named it radioactivity. She wondered how uranium created radioactivity. She also wondered if there were other radioactive elements. Curie spent all her time studying radioactivity.5 By 1904, Curie had made some important discoveries. She figured out that uranium gives off radioactivity through its atoms. Atoms are tiny particles that make up all matter. Scientists were just learning about atoms. Curie’s discovery showed that atoms could change.6 Curie also did something few other scientists do. She discovered two new elements. Both were radioactive. She named them polonium and radium. Scientists soon discovered an important use for radium. It killed living cells. Doctors started using it to treat cancer patients. Recognition and Awards 7 Curie received two Nobel Prizes for her work with radioactivity. A Nobel Prize is an important award given to people who do exceptional things. She was the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize – and the first person to receive two Nobel Prizes!8 Later, Curie became director of the Radium Institute in Paris. It had one laboratory where scientists studied treatments for cancer. In another laboratory, scientists studied radioactivity. This is where Marie Curie worked until her death in 1934. 1. Look at the chart below.Which sentence belongs in the empty box? Curie received two Nobel Prizes for her work with radioactivity. Curie became director of the Radium Institute in Paris. Marie Curie was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1867. Curie graduated with a science degree in 1893. 2. The pictures in the selection show that Marie Curie — worked hard while attending college in France. spent most of her life working on science discoveries. was part of a large family. was good at math. 3. In paragraph 3, what does the word substance means? a special material. a new discovery. a scientist. a laboratory. 4. Which sentence from the selection shows that Marie Curie was recognized for her work? Curie received two Nobel Prizes for her work with radioactivity. She named them polonium and radium. In 1896, Curie heard about a new discovery. She was an excellent student. 5. Which words from paragraph 5 help the reader know the meaning of discoveries? had made some figured out gives off tiny particles 6. The author wrote this selection most likely to — persuade readers to like science. show readers that science is important. tell a made-up story about a young woman that lived long ago. tell about the life of a woman and her special discoveries 7. In which section of the selection can the reader find information about Marie Curie’s work with uranium? Recognition and Awards Science Discoveries Early Life and Education The Amazing Marie Curie 8. The reader can tell that this selection is a literary nonfiction passage because — it has an interesting plot. it includes rhyme and has lines. it is a true story about an event or the life of a person. it teaches a person how to do something.