Windshield Wipers

Which of the following BEST traces the steps Mary followed in her invention process?

• original idea

  finding a buyer

  drawing of sketches

  refining of sketches

  application for patent

• original idea

  drawing of sketches

  refining of sketches

  application for patent

  finding a buyer

• finding a buyerdrawing of sketchesrefining of sketchesapplication for patentoriginal idea

• application for patent

  finding a buyer

  drawing of sketches

  refining of sketches

  original idea

Why did Anderson add a counterweight to her invention?

• to keep the wipers on the car when it was moving quickly

• to maintain a uniform wiper speed for the blades

• to make it easier to change the wiper blades

• to help the wipers wipe the entire window

With which statement would the author of “Windshield Wipers—Mary Anderson” MOST LIKELY agree?

• Ideas can often be inspired through other people.

• Useful advances are often the result of much research.

• The success of a new idea is best predicted by the public’s first response.

• Sometimes people benefit from the work of those that came before them.

What did Mary do after her invention was rejected by a large company?

• She offered her invention to another company.

• She had a model made of her wiper invention.

• She submitted other patents for additional inventions.

• She allowed her patent to go out of date.

Read the sentence from Paragraph 10.

They encouraged her, however, to submit any other “useful patents” she might have for their consideration.

The author uses the quoted phrase to introduce what kind of tone?

• unhappy

• sarcastic

• serious

• ironic

What is the setting at the beginning of this passage?

• Canada

• Chicago

• Alabama

• New York

The Canadian company rejected Mary’s windshield wipers because

• they were too expensive to manufacture.

• they were unattractive and heavy.

• they would not be safe.

• they would not sell.

What is the purpose of this passage?

• to show how to fill out a patent application

• to explain what it is like to be a streetcar driver

• to persuade readers to create their own inventions

• to tell how windshield wipers were first invented

Why was Mary’s wiper designed to be removed in good weather?

• because it was in the way of clear sight

• because the wiper would destroy a dry windshield

• because it was not needed

• because the streetcars would have an attractive appearance

Read the sentence from the passage.

The invention would not only improve conditions for all drivers, but would save countless lives as well.

What does the word countless mean, as used in the sentence?

• Regardless

• Frequent

• limitless

• complicated