An Everyday Invention

An Everyday Invention

VII Questions

Paragraph I) Read Theory Passage

Toilet paper: you use it every day. But have you ever wondered about its history?

Paragraph II) Read Theory Passage

As far as we know, the first time people used toilet paper was in ancient China. But what did other people use? Ancient Romans used a sponge on a stick. Rich people in medieval Europe used cloth. People who could not afford to waste cloth used leaves, grass, hay, or water.

Paragraph III) Read Theory Passage

The modern toilet paper we use today was invented in 1857 by an American named Joseph Gayetty. He was so proud of his invention that his name was stamped on every sheet! In 1890, Clarence and Irvin Scott figured out how to put toilet paper on a roll. They sold their rolls of paper to drugstores and hotels. Soon, everyone wanted a roll in their home.

Paragraph IV) Read Theory Passage

Toilet paper is one of those inventions that you do not think about very much. It is not exciting or fun, like the latest phone or a fancy car. However, one thing is certain: you would miss it if it were gone!

Multiple Choice

Who were the first people to use toilet paper?

• the ancient Romans

• the ancient Chinese

• rich medieval Europeans

• poor medieval Europeans

Multiple Choice

Based on the information in paragraph 2, readers can conclude that in medieval Europe,

• cloth cost a lot of money

• grass and hay were hard to find

• poor people did not wear clothes

• rich people did not have leaves

Multiple Choice

In paragraph 3, we learned that "The modern toilet paper we use today was invented in 1857 by an American named Joseph Gayetty."

Which of these things is the most modern?

• a horse and buggy

• a tape recorder

• a tablet computer

• a typewriter

Multiple Choice

Based on the passage, who first put toilet paper on a roll?

• the ancient Romans

• the ancient Chinese

• Joseph Gayetty

• Clarence and Irvin Scott

Multiple Choice

Read the following sentence. Then answer the question below.

"Today, you can still find Scotts' brand toilet paper in almost any store."

If added to this passage where would this sentence fit best.

• paragraph 1

• paragraph 2

• paragraph 3

• paragraph 4

Multiple Choice

What is the main idea of the last paragraph?

• Someone should find a way to make toilet paper more fun and exciting.

• People do not think about toilet paper because they do not really need it.

• It is very sad that no one cares about the history of toilet paper.

• Even though toilet paper is not an exciting invention, it is important.

Open Ended

Can you think of another everyday invention that we might not think about, but use all the time? What is it? Why would we miss it? Explain.