Nikola Tesla

____ 1. According to the information in “Nikola Tesla: The Greatest Inventor of All?” in what way did Nikola Tesla
excel as a student?

a. He was a remarkable athlete.

b. He was the school’s best writer.
c. He was a whiz in foreign languages.
d. He was an outstanding math student.
____ 2. As illustrated in “Nikola Tesla: The Greatest Inventor of All?” which of the following were characteristics of
Nikola Tesla? Choose three options.

a. shy and insecure

b. arrogant and proud
c. corrupt and insincere
d. creative and resourceful
e. intelligent and quick-witted
f. hard-working and determined
____ 3. According to “Nikola Tesla: The Greatest Inventor of All?” why did Tesla become such an important
employee in Thomas Edison’s company?

a. He was able to solve many of the company’s most important problems.

b. He was willing to work for little money to help the company succeed.
c. He was willing to travel around the world for the company.
d. He was a superb salesman and sold a lot of inventions.
____ 4. As explained in “Nikola Tesla: The Greatest Inventor of All?” what are some of Tesla’s accomplishments?
Choose three options.

a. He helped develop x-ray machines and the radio.

b. He invented modern electric cars, called Tesla Motors.
c. He improved Thomas Edison’s motors and generators.
d. He earned a lot of money and gave most of it to charity.
e. He helped develop wireless remotes and fluorescent lights.
f. He became the first member of his family to graduate from college.
____ 5. In “Nikola Tesla: The Greatest Inventor of All?” what was the “War of the Currents”?

a. It was a newspaper battle over the events of the day.

b. It was a problem with the flow of water in Niagara Falls.
c. It was a rivalry between Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison.
d. It was a lawsuit between Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse.

____ 6. Which job would an engineer most likely do?

a. evaluate electrical systems, products, and components

b. create carefully woven fabrics for sale in local markets
c. manage apartment buildings and other real estate properties
d. teach specialized writing classes in poetry and historical fiction
____ 7. What is the meaning of the word current as used in the following sentence?
The current to the strand of lights was cut, so the room was dark.
a. the movement of water through a narrow passageway
b. an event that is happening at the present time
c. the flow of electricity through wires
d. a general trend or influential style
____ 8. In which situation would you most likely need a generator?

a. The pilot dims the lights in the cabin so passengers can sleep.
b. The gas light comes on in your car, indicating it is time to fill up.
c. The lines at the coffee shop are long, and you are late to a meeting.
d. The power is out throughout your neighborhood because of a windstorm.

Close Read: Analyze the Text

Identify the choice that best answers the question.

____ 9. At the beginning of “Nikola Tesla: The Greatest Inventor of All?” what is Baez implying when she says the
following?

When Tesla was young, he was able to do such complex math problems in his head that his teachers
thought he was cheating.

a. Basic math is the most important subject to learn for success in school and in life.
b. It was much more difficult to do math problems before calculators were invented.
c. Tesla’s brilliance was evident from his youth, as he could do difficult mental math.
d. If you can’t do math when you are young, you will never be able to do it with confidence.

Close Read: Analyze Craft and Structure

Identify the choice that best answers the question.

____ 10. In “Nikola Tesla: The Greatest Inventor of All?” which main purpose of biographical writing is most clear?

a. to show the causes and effects of one person’s genius

b. to inform readers about one person’s life and accomplishments
c. to focus equally on three great people who share notable similarities
d. to convince readers that one particular invention is better than another
____ 11. In “Nikola Tesla: The Greatest Inventor of All?” what general method of organization does Baez use to
arrange the information that she presents?

a. comparison and contrast

b. order of importance
c. chronological order
d. cause and effect
____ 12. Use context clues to determine the most likely meaning of plant as it is used in this sentence from “Nikola
Tesla: The Greatest Inventor of All?”

He helped create a power plant in Niagara Falls that provided power all the way to New York City.

a. trap
b. shrub
c. factory
d. blockade
____ 13. Use context clues to determine the most likely meaning of models as it is used in this statement from “Nikola
Tesla: The Greatest Inventor of All?”

Edison always made a lot of models and tried them out, which took longer.

a. people who pose for photographers

b. particular kinds of computers
c. people who wear certain outfits in a display
d. small versions of items that show their construction

Language Development: Conventions

Identify the choice that best answers the question.

____ 14. In which sentence is the comma used correctly?

a. Nikola Tesla was forgotten, when he died but today people celebrate his accomplishments.
b. Nikola Tesla was forgotten when he died today, people celebrate his accomplishments.
c. Nikola Tesla was forgotten when he died, today people celebrate his accomplishments.
d. Nikola Tesla was forgotten when he died, but today people celebrate his accomplishments.
____ 15. In which sentence is the comma used correctly?

a. When he was just starting out, Tesla moved to New York City and worked for Thomas
Edison.
b. When he was just starting out Tesla, moved to New York City and worked for Thomas
Edison.
c. When he was just starting out Tesla moved to New York City and, worked for Thomas
Edison.
d. When he was just starting out Tesla moved to New York City, and worked for Thomas
Edison.
____ 16. In which sentence is the semicolon used correctly?

a. Nikola Tesla; was a great inventor he helped our lives in many ways.
b. Nikola Tesla was a great inventor; he helped our lives in many ways.
c. Nikola Tesla was a great inventor he helped; our lives in many ways.
d. Nikola Tesla was a great inventor he; helped our lives in many ways.
____ 17. In which sentence is the punctuation correct?

a. Nikola Tesla excelled in math as a child; therefore, it was natural for him to look for jobs
in electricity as an adult.
b. Nikola Tesla excelled in math as a child, therefore, it was natural for him to look for jobs
in electricity as an adult.
c. Nikola Tesla excelled in math as a child therefore; it was natural for him to look for jobs
in electricity as an adult.
d. Nikola Tesla excelled in math, as a child therefore, it was natural for him to look for jobs
in electricity as an adult.