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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. What was the woman's first name?

2. Morgan was also involved in working with what type of machines?

3. What was the name of the company Latimer worked for next?

4. Which adjective best describes Matzeliger's family?

5. How many patents were held by McCoy?

Short Essay Questions

1. What activity did Banneker undertake when he was 41 years old? Why was the project important?

2. hen did McCoy obtain his first patent? What was the invention? What other inventions can be attributed to McCoy?

3. What were McCoy's natural gifts? What prevented McCoy from working in his chosen field when he returned to the US?

4. What was the reason Rillieux decided to leave New Orleans? Where did Rillieux go?

5. What astounding accomplishment did Banneker make in regards to the building of Washington, DC?

6. What problems did McCoy notice on his job as a railroad fireman? What were McCoy's thoughts on the process? What did McCoy do to remedy the situation?

7. Banneker became interested in politics. Which event did Banneker attend? Which speech moved Banneker the most in regards to the new government?

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

9. What type of company did Woods start? Was the company lucrative? What was Woods' preferred occupation?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Several of the inventors in the book came from notable heritage. Explain the heritage of at least three of the inventors, how they were similar, and how the ancestry affected their ability to invent new products, techniques, and machines. Which inventor benefited most from his heritage? Which inventors saw little or no benefits? How did the inventors' education levels affect their ability to invent? What was the most common activity of the inventors after retirement?

Essay Topic 2

Louis Tompkins Wright was most well known for his work in developing a vaccination for smallpox during his tenure in the US Army's Medical Corps. Wright also introduced what kind of medicine? What other field did Wright work in that made significant advancements? How did Wright become involved in research? Did Wright continue to work as a surgeon? Create a time line of Wright's life, education, and professional life.

Essay Topic 3

Benjamin Banneker was a unique man that lived in Colonial times. Why was Banneker considered to be different than other blacks at the time? Examine Banneker's fascination with clocks and watches. What do you think inspired Banneker's interest in mathematics? How did Banneker develop his passion for mathematics? What were Banneker's experiences involving clocks?

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