Text Structure Practice

Toothbrushes Through the Ages

Archaeologists trace the use of tooth-cleaning tools back 5,000 years. In ancient Egypt and, later, in Greece, Rome, and the Middle East, people rubbed a frayed stick on their teeth to clean them. The first toothbrush was patented in China in 1498, although it may have been used there as early as the Tang Dynasty (618-907). They fastened stiff bristles from the back of boars' necks to a handle made of bone or bamboo. One hundred years later, silver-handled toothbrushes found their way into the mouths of European nobility.

Still, most ordinary people in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries cleaned their teeth with a rag, sometimes dipped in chalk or salt, sometimes attached to a stick to reach the back teeth. An Englishman named William Addis wanted to bring real toothbrushes to ordinary folk. In 1780, he created and marketed the first mass-produced toothbrushes, made of boar bristles attached to a bone handle. His business made him a wealthy man. In 1857, H.N. Wadsworth became the first American to patent a toothbrush.

Except for the development of plastic handles after World War I, toothbrushes did not change much until 1938, out of necessity. World War II disrupted the trade in Chinese boar bristles, and toothbrush makers looked for a replacement. The first modern toothbrush with nylon bristles was called Dr. West's Miracle Toothbrush.

To date, there have been thousands of patents for toothbrushes worldwide. Today, brushes with angled handles, bristles of different lengths, electronic pulsing, rubber gum massagers, and tongue scrapers give people a wide array of options for keeping their pearly whites clean and healthy.

What is the overall text structure of the article?

• Problem/solution because the author states the problem with toothbrushes and gives solutions to keeping your teeth clean.

• Cause/effect because the author states the cause of a dirty mouth and how it effects a person.

• Chronological order because the author explains how the toothbrush has changed over the years.

• Compare/contrast because the author compares the toothbrush of the past to the toothbrush of future.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.5

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

Toothbrushes Through the Ages

Archaeologists trace the use of tooth-cleaning tools back 5,000 years. In ancient Egypt and, later, in Greece, Rome, and the Middle East, people rubbed a frayed stick on their teeth to clean them. The first toothbrush was patented in China in 1498, although it may have been used there as early as the Tang Dynasty (618-907). They fastened stiff bristles from the back of boars' necks to a handle made of bone or bamboo. One hundred years later, silver-handled toothbrushes found their way into the mouths of European nobility.

Still, most ordinary people in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries cleaned their teeth with a rag, sometimes dipped in chalk or salt, sometimes attached to a stick to reach the back teeth. An Englishman named William Addis wanted to bring real toothbrushes to ordinary folk. In 1780, he created and marketed the first mass-produced toothbrushes, made of boar bristles attached to a bone handle. His business made him a wealthy man. In 1857, H.N. Wadsworth became the first American to patent a toothbrush.

Except for the development of plastic handles after World War I, toothbrushes did not change much until 1938, out of necessity. World War II disrupted the trade in Chinese boar bristles, and toothbrush makers looked for a replacement. The first modern toothbrush with nylon bristles was called Dr. West's Miracle Toothbrush.

To date, there have been thousands of patents for toothbrushes worldwide. Today, brushes with angled handles, bristles of different lengths, electronic pulsing, rubber gum massagers, and tongue scrapers give people a wide array of options for keeping their pearly whites clean and healthy.

What feature of today's toothbrushes makes them different from toothbrushes of the 1700's?

• a bone handle

• a silver handle

• boar bristles

• nylon bristles

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Toothbrushes Through the Ages

Archaeologists trace the use of tooth-cleaning tools back 5,000 years. In ancient Egypt and, later, in Greece, Rome, and the Middle East, people rubbed a frayed stick on their teeth to clean them. The first toothbrush was patented in China in 1498, although it may have been used there as early as the Tang Dynasty (618-907). They fastened stiff bristles from the back of boars' necks to a handle made of bone or bamboo. One hundred years later, silver-handled toothbrushes found their way into the mouths of European nobility.

Still, most ordinary people in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries cleaned their teeth with a rag, sometimes dipped in chalk or salt, sometimes attached to a stick to reach the back teeth. An Englishman named William Addis wanted to bring real toothbrushes to ordinary folk. In 1780, he created and marketed the first mass-produced toothbrushes, made of boar bristles attached to a bone handle. His business made him a wealthy man. In 1857, H.N. Wadsworth became the first American to patent a toothbrush.

Except for the development of plastic handles after World War I, toothbrushes did not change much until 1938, out of necessity. World War II disrupted the trade in Chinese boar bristles, and toothbrush makers looked for a replacement. The first modern toothbrush with nylon bristles was called Dr. West's Miracle Toothbrush.

To date, there have been thousands of patents for toothbrushes worldwide. Today, brushes with angled handles, bristles of different lengths, electronic pulsing, rubber gum massagers, and tongue scrapers give people a wide array of options for keeping their pearly whites clean and healthy.

What is the main idea of the paragraph?

• The history of the toothbrush

• How the toothbrush was invented

• Why we started brushing our teeth

• The history of archaeologists creating the first toothbrush

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Toothbrushes Through the Ages

Archaeologists trace the use of tooth-cleaning tools back 5,000 years. In ancient Egypt and, later, in Greece, Rome, and the Middle East, people rubbed a frayed stick on their teeth to clean them. The first toothbrush was patented in China in 1498, although it may have been used there as early as the Tang Dynasty (618-907). They fastened stiff bristles from the back of boars' necks to a handle made of bone or bamboo. One hundred years later, silver-handled toothbrushes found their way into the mouths of European nobility.

Still, most ordinary people in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries cleaned their teeth with a rag, sometimes dipped in chalk or salt, sometimes attached to a stick to reach the back teeth. An Englishman named William Addis wanted to bring real toothbrushes to ordinary folk. In 1780, he created and marketed the first mass-produced toothbrushes, made of boar bristles attached to a bone handle. His business made him a wealthy man. In 1857, H.N. Wadsworth became the first American to patent a toothbrush.

Except for the development of plastic handles after World War I, toothbrushes did not change much until 1938, out of necessity. World War II disrupted the trade in Chinese boar bristles, and toothbrush makers looked for a replacement. The first modern toothbrush with nylon bristles was called Dr. West's Miracle Toothbrush.

To date, there have been thousands of patents for toothbrushes worldwide. Today, brushes with angled handles, bristles of different lengths, electronic pulsing, rubber gum massagers, and tongue scrapers give people a wide array of options for keeping their pearly whites clean and healthy.

2. Which sentence shows why toothbrush makers needed to find a new material for bristles in 1938?

• • "In 1780, he created and marketed the first mass-produced toothbrushes, made of boar bristles attached to a bone handle."

• • "Except for the development of plastic handles after World War I, toothbrushes did not change much until 1938, out of necessity."

• • "Today, brushes with angled handles, bristles of different lengths, electronic pulsing, rubber gum massagers, and tongue scrapers give people a wide array of options for keeping their pearly whites clean and healthy."

• • "World War II disrupted the trade in Chinese boar bristles, and tooth brush makers looked for a replacement."

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Archaeologists trace the use of tooth-cleaning tools back 5,000 years. In ancient Egypt and, later, in Greece, Rome, and the Middle East, people rubbed a frayed stick on their teeth to clean them. The first toothbrush was patented in China in 1498, although it may have been used there as early as the Tang Dynasty (618-907). They fastened stiff bristles from the back of boars' necks to a handle made of bone or bamboo. One hundred years later, silver-handled toothbrushes found their way into the mouths of European nobility.

Still, most ordinary people in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries cleaned their teeth with a rag, sometimes dipped in chalk or salt, sometimes attached to a stick to reach the back teeth. An Englishman named William Addis wanted to bring real toothbrushes to ordinary folk. In 1780, he created and marketed the first mass-produced toothbrushes, made of boar bristles attached to a bone handle. His business made him a wealthy man. In 1857, H.N. Wadsworth became the first American to patent a toothbrush.

Except for the development of plastic handles after World War I, toothbrushes did not change much until 1938, out of necessity. World War II disrupted the trade in Chinese boar bristles, and toothbrush makers looked for a replacement. The first modern toothbrush with nylon bristles was called Dr. West's Miracle Toothbrush.

To dat, there have been thousands of patents for toothbrushes worldwide. Today, brushes with angled handles, bristles of different lengths, electronic pulsing, rubber gum massagers, and tongue scrapers give people a wide array of options for keeping their pearly whites clean and healthy.

Q5 Which sentence best supports the idea that toothbrushes have changed throughout history?

• In the 17th & 18th century, most people cleaned their teeth with a rag.

• Archaeologists trace the use of tooth-cleaning tools back 5,000 years.

• In ancient Egypt, people rubbed a frayed stick on their teeth.

• Today, brushes offer a wide variety of options for keeping teeth clean.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Archaeologists trace the use of tooth-cleaning tools back 5,000 years. In ancient Egypt and, later, in Greece, Rome, and the Middle East, people rubbed a frayed stick on their teeth to clean them. The first toothbrush was patented in China in 1498, although it may have been used there as early as the Tang Dynasty (618-907). They fastened stiff bristles from the back of boars' necks to a handle made of bone or bamboo. One hundred years later, silver-handled toothbrushes found their way into the mouths of European nobility.

Still, most ordinary people in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries cleaned their teeth with a rag, sometimes dipped in chalk or salt, sometimes attached to a stick to reach the back teeth. An Englishman named William Addis wanted to bring real toothbrushes to ordinary folk. In 1780, he created and marketed the first mass-produced toothbrushes, made of boar bristles attached to a bone handle. His business made him a wealthy man. In 1857, H.N. Wadsworth became the first American to patent a toothbrush.

Except for the development of plastic handles after World War I, toothbrushes did not change much until 1938, out of necessity. World War II disrupted the trade in Chinese boar bristles, and toothbrush makers looked for a replacement. The first modern toothbrush with nylon bristles was called Dr. West's Miracle Toothbrush.

To date, there have been thousands of patents for toothbrushes worldwide. Today, brushes with angled handles, bristles of different lengths, electronic pulsing, rubber gum massagers, and tongue scrapers give people a wide array of options for keeping their pearly whites clean and healthy.

Q6: The author organizes information from the article in chronological order most likely to ________.

• show how the tooth-cleaning tools have evolved over time.

• show why it's important to clean your teeth.

• show what teeth-cleaning tools looked like in the old days.

• show when people started cleaning their teeth.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.5

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

There are many types of lethal venom in the animal kingdom, but perhaps no stranger carrier than the platypus. The platypus is one of few venomous mammals. Male platypus carry a venom cocktail in their ankle spurs. This venom incapacitates victims with excruciating pain. Stranger still, the platypus is the only mammal that uses electroreception. That means that the platypus uses its bill to sense the electricity produced by the muscular movements of its prey. Electroreception is a sixth sense different from seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or feeling. Perhaps most odd, the platypus is the only mammal that lays eggs rather than giving birth to live young. What an odd creature indeed!

Q7: Which sentence best supports the idea that the platypus is a strange creature?

• There are many types of lethal venom.

• The platypus is the only mammal that lays eggs rather than giving birth to live young.

• Venom incapacitates victims with excruciating pain.

• The platypus uses its bill to sense prey.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

There are many types of lethal venom in the animal kingdom, but perhaps no stranger carrier than the platypus. The platypus is one of few venomous mammals. Male platypus carry a venom cocktail in their ankle spurs. This venom incapacitates victims with excruciating pain. Stranger still, the platypus is the only mammal that uses electroreception. That means that the platypus uses its bill to sense the electricity produced by the muscular movements of its prey. Electroreception is a sixth sense different from seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or feeling. Perhaps most odd, the platypus is the only mammal that lays eggs rather than giving birth to live young. What an odd creature indeed!

Q8: The author describes the platypus by _______.

• showing why it uses venom.

• explaining how dangerous it is to prey.

• showing what a strange creature it is.

• explaining how it uses electroreception.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.5

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

There are many types of lethal venom in the animal kingdom, but perhaps no stranger carrier than the platypus. The platypus is one of few venomous mammals. Male platypus carry a venom cocktail in their ankle spurs. This venom incapacitates victims with excruciating pain. Stranger still, the platypus is the only mammal that uses electroreception. That means that the platypus uses its bill to sense the electricity produced by the muscular movements of its prey. Electroreception is a sixth sense different from seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or feeling. Perhaps most odd, the platypus is the only mammal that lays eggs rather than giving birth to live young. What an odd creature indeed!

Q9: Which idea is developed throughout the paragraph?

• The platypus is creepy.

• The platypus is an odd mammal.

• The platypus lays eggs rather than giving live birth.

• The platypus senses electricity produced by muscular movements.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

There are many types of lethal venom in the animal kingdom, but perhaps no stranger carrier than the platypus. The platypus is one of few venomous mammals. Male platypus carry a venom cocktail in their ankle spurs. This venom incapacitates victims with excruciating pain. Stranger still, the platypus is the only mammal that uses electroreception. That means that the platypus uses its bill to sense the electricity produced by the muscular movements of its prey. Electroreception is a sixth sense different from seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or feeling. Perhaps most odd, the platypus is the only mammal that lays eggs rather than giving birth to live young. What an odd creature indeed!

Q10: The author organizes the paragraph by _______.

• explaining the types of animals that are venomous.

• showing why the platypus is misunderstood.

• describing how the platypus is a strange mammal.

• describing how the platypus hunts prey.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.5

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5