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Spinning tops have existed in China for a very long time. In 1926, a top was found that was more than 4,000 years old.

Early tops were made of wood, nuts, bamboo, or stone. Later on, a string was attached to the top. This string, called the whip, is wound around the top. When it is released, the top spins very fast.

In China, spinning a top has always been a popular children's game. Children's tops are small and colorful. Tops used in competitions are much bigger. They weigh at least 1 pound (.45 kg) and have a whip that is more than 6.5 feet (2 m) long. Some competitions have tops that weigh more than 100 pounds.

Competitive top-spinning in China is known as "Da Tuoluo." Competitions feature a variety of games. In one game, Battling Tops, players try to knock over each others' tops. In another game, the players try to keep their top spinning as long as possible.

In 2005, a man in Taiwan set a record when he spun a wooden top weighing 132 pounds (60 kg) for 39 seconds.

What is the smallest weight for a competitive top?
1 pound
10 pounds
100 pounds
1 pound What is the string called that is attached to the top of a spinning top?
top rope
whip
lasso
whip How old are the oldest tops in China?
400 years old
1000 years old
more than 4,000 years old
more than 4,000 years old Children are not allowed to play with spinning tops.
True
False
It doesn't say in the story.
False Spinning tops have only only existed in China since 1926.
True
False
It doesn't say in the story.
False What is the name of the game where players try to knock over each other’s tops?
Spinning Battles
Battle Spins
Battling Tops
Battling Tops A Taiwanese man set a world record for spinning a very large top. How long did the top spin?
39 seconds
60 seconds
3 minutes
39 seconds

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