Question

Is using crowdfunding to raise money for projects really a new idea? You might be surprised to
know that the first crowdfunding project actually dates back to over a hundred years ago.
In 1885, the Statue of Liberty arrived in New York as a gift from France, but the United States
had a problem. They didn t have enough money to pay for the pedestal (the bottom part that
supports the statue). The pedestal cost $250,000. To solve the problem, Joseph Pulitzer, a
famous publisher decided to launch a fundraising campaign in his newspaper. He asked
people to donate money to help the project
The crowdfunding project was a big success. Around 160 000 people, including young
children businessmen, street cleaners and politicians, donated money. More than three-
quarters of the donations were less than a dollar. In just five months, the newspaper company
raised enough money to pay for the pedestal. They even had money left over to buy a gift for
the sculptor!
Today, the Statue of Liberty still stands on the same pedestal that these people helped to buy
A
Choose the best title for the article.
a. The Gift from France
b. The First Crowdfunding Project
C. Joseph Pulitzer Donates Money to Help New York City
B
Answer the questions. Circle T for True or F for False
1. The pedestal was a gift from France
IF
2. Joseph Pulitzer owned a newspaper.
I F
3. The newspaper collected more than $250,000. T F
4. The Statue of Liberty now has a new pedestal. T F
​

Answer 1

A

Choose the best title for the article.

a. The Gift from France

b. The First Crowdfunding Project √

C. Joseph Pulitzer Donates Money to Help New York City

B

Answer the questions. Circle T for True or F for False

1. The pedestal was a gift from France

IF [False]

2. Joseph Pulitzer owned a newspaper. [True]

3. The newspaper collected more than $250,000. [ False]

4. The Statue of Liberty now has a new pedestal. [False]