Our love of excitement and entertainment is seen in the success of huge amusement parks. The combination of candy, performances and roller coasters results in memories that last a lifetime. But where did our love for these attractions come from?
The ancestors of theme parks began in Europe just before the Renaissance era, which took place from 1300 to 1600. Festivals were typically centered around religious holidays. Simple rides began and Medieval games and competitions were held.
By the mid-1700s, pleasure gardens began in major cities in Europe to entertain the growing middle class. With extra cash to spend and more free time, people were ready to be entertained. News of the fun of pleasure gardens traveled across the ocean to America.
In the late 1800s, pleasure gardens turned into entertainment areas that more closely look like the modern theme parks we know and love today. The amusement park industry grew throughout the early 1900s. By 1920, there were hundreds of parks across the country. The increase in industrialization and transportation let workers work for less time, giving them more time to enjoy these parks.
Comprehension
1) What kinds of places do people love that have rides and candy?
2) Where did the first theme parks come from?
3) Why did amusement parks become more popular in the early 1900s?
Vocabulary
Match the words to the definition:
1) success
2) roller coasters
3) ancestors
4) pleasure
5) cash
6) turn into
a) become, change into something different
b) rides at an amusement park
c) fun, enjoyment
d) to accomplish your objective
e) the people in your family who lived a long time ago
f) money
Grammar Highlights
Adverb placement can be difficult. Adverbs of manner are often put before the main verb:
“Festivals were typically centered around religious holidays.”
*This article was adapted from another article to make it more suitable for English learners. You can read the original article here.