Shortwave Radio

This passage is about John's first time hearing a shortwave radio.

Lexile Level: 750L

Categories: People & Places Science & Technology

When John heard a shortwave radio for the first time, he couldn't believe his ears. With each turn of the large, lighted dial he heard the distant voices of people broadcasting from all over the world. Through the humming, buzzing, and crackling of the airwaves, John heard dozens of voices. Some were very faint. Others came in stronger. It was a magical feeling, knowing that most of the voices he heard were coming from many thousands of miles away. John wondered who these people were. And because most of those he heard were speaking in a foreign language, he wondered what they were saying. Some spoke slowly in a monotone voice. Others sounded more animated. He wondered if someone might be broadcasting an emergency. The more he listened the more John wanted to be able to understand the unfamiliar words he was hearing. That's why he decided to learn as many foreign languages as he could.