Elijah McCoy

Based on paragraphs 1 and 9, why do people still use the saying, “I want the real McCoy”?

• A. to remember the inventor that created so many wonderful inventions

• B. to demonstrate that high-quality products are still important to the consumer

• C. to express how the railroad is important to today’s society and the world

• D. to determine whether the product was invented by Elijah McCoy

What can be inferred from the information in paragraph 2?

• A. Railroads were seen as a dangerous way to travel

• B. Railroads were vital to the development of America.

• C. Railroads were a huge source of trouble for engineers.

• D. Railroads were a fun, new way to travel across America.

What does the author mean when he says that the North American West “was built by the railroads” in paragraph 2?

• A. There is a town called North American West that was built by a railroad company.

• B. Railroad companies resisted building railroads in certain places in the country.

• C. Population growth in the North American West was possible because railroad travel was possible.

• D. The most famous railroad company in the region was called North American West.

What does apprentice mean, as used in paragraph 3?

• A. learn from more-experienced teachers

• B. create new and important inventions

• C. teach less-experienced learners

• D. design parts for trains and cars

How does paragraph 5 contribute to the idea that McCoy saw a need for improvement in lubricating engine parts?

• A. It emphasizes the amount of work McCoy did.

• B. It details how McCoy created a new invention.

• C. It explains why McCoy wanted to work for the railroad

• D. It describes the problem that McCoy recognized.

What inference can be made about Elijah McCoy’s second lubricator as compared to the first?

• A. It was safer for companies to use.

• B. It took less time to produce.

• C. It cost less money to produce

• D. It allowed the train to keep moving.

What does the phrase “the real McCoy” mean, based on paragraph 9?

• A. the best-quality item

• B. the family business

• C. the first train engineers

• D. the engine lubrication

Which quote supports the idea that Elijah McCoy liked to share his talents with others?

• A. “When he returned to North America, he ended up in Michigan, at the home of the Michigan Central Railroad.”

• B. “Although he was trained as an engineer, the best job he could get was as a stoker, the worker who kept the fire burning on steam-powered locomotives.”

• C. “The railroad was pleased with McCoy’s work and encouraged him to improve his invention.”

• D. “He became a teacher, instructing others about the use of his lubricator and about other workings of engines.”