Characters
This is the main character of the story.
Suman
This country is where Suman lives.
Nepal
This type of bridge carries people above the river using cables.
TarPul
This is the first step where engineers identify the problem.
Ask
This natural process wears away soil using wind, water, or ice.
Erosion
She becomes sick, making Suman worry about getting medical help.
Ajee, his grandmother
This river floods during the rainy season.
What is the Karnali River?
This engineer studies soil, rocks, and the ground using their knowledge of math and science before construction begins.
What is a geotechnical engineer?
In this step, engineers brainstorm different possible solutions.
Imagine
This type of soil would be the poorest choice for holding up a bridge.
soft, sandy, loose
This type of engineer helps decide where to build the bridge.
Who is a geotechnical engineer?
This season makes crossing the river especially dangerous.
Rain OR floods OR rainy season
Before building, engineers first need to understand this about the soil.
What is whether it is strong and stable?
Engineers draw models and decide how they will build.
Plan
In the story, this natural force was responsible for most of the erosion along the riverbanks.
Floods or moving water
Suman noticed this object leaning over because it was placed in weak soil.
What is the tetherball pole?
People in Suman's village need to reach this place for medical care.
The clinic
Loose soil can cause structures to do this.
Be unstable
During this step, engineers build and test their idea.
Create
After a major flood, engineers would inspect the bridge because erosion may have removed this from around the bridge supports.
Soil
This person was unsure about building the TarPul until learning more about it.
Buwa, Suman's father
The villagers wanted a bridge because this natural event made travel unsafe, washing away previous river crossings.
Flooding
The best bridge location had this type of ground.
What is firm, compact soil?
After testing, engineers make changes to make their design better.
Improve
What holiday is on Saturday?
Independence Day or 4th of July