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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In which state did the family settle when they came to the United States?

2. What word is used in reference to McCoy's fascination with mechanical objects?

3. What was the name of Latimer's wife?

4. What was Lewis Latimer's middle name?

5. In what year was Norbert Rillieux born?

Short Essay Questions

1. The text claims that Banneker was born of unusual stock. What does that mean?

2. Explain how Woods taught himself to become an engineer.

3. What barrier did Banneker face when he decided to create a clock from scratch?

4. Who is Granville T. Woods? To who is he often compared? What was Woods' field of study?

5. What items did Banneker use to assist in creating the project? How long did it take to build? What was unusual about the piece?

6. Explain the heritage and early years of Jan Earnst Matzeliger. Where did the family originate? At what age did Matzeliger come to the US?

7. What life changing event occurred in Banneker's pre-teen years?

8. What job did Lewis Latimer get that helped to propel him into the field of drafting? What did Latimer propose to his employers? How did it affect his career?

9. How did the public receive McCoy's inventions? What common phrase showed the industries' appreciation for McCoy's work?

10. Discuss Wood's first patent. What patent soon followed? How were Woods' patents connected?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Elijah McCoy was an important part of the transportation industry. Discuss McCoy's contributions. What inspired McCoy? How did McCoy invent his first lubricating cup? Why is lubrication important? How did McCoy's invention revolutionize the railroad system? How did the work inspire the phrase: "Is that the real McCoy?"

Essay Topic 2

Granville T. Woods had a great deal of experience in the field of electricity before returning to his status as a full time inventor. Create a time line of Woods' inventions. Write at least two paragraphs on each invention. What other inventors may have been involved? What was Woods' most important invention? How many patents did Woods hold?

Essay Topic 3

Banneker attended the Third Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Explain the reason for Banneker's attendance. Was it unusual for a black man to attend such a political function? Why was Banneker so interested in Thomas Jefferson? What were the pros and cons of Jefferson according to Banneker? Why do you think the founding fathers chose to listen to a black man when it came to reconstructing the plans for Washington, D.C.? What was Banneker's greatest contribution?

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