A Young Tinkerer Quiz

How did Kamkwamba first learn to make windmills?

• He asked some foreigners visiting his village to help him make his windmills.
• He figured it out himself after seeing a picture of a windmill in a textbook.
• He studied engineering at a local school and took a class in windmill design.
• He watched and then copied another villager who made windmills.

What is the main problem that Mr. Kamkwamba is trying to solve?

• the lack of access to electricity in his country
• his family's expensive electricity bills
• the poorly constructed windmills in the village
• the pollution caused by electrical plants in Malawi

Why do people visit the Kamkwamba family compound? Choose two options.

• They can use the electricity to charge their phones.
• They can borrow money from William Kamkwamba.
• They can stay at the compound and help make windmills.
• They can see the windmills they are curious about.
• They can pay for a tour of the house and its windmills.

What has caused tension in William Kamkwamba's village?

• Other villagers observe the family's success and want the same for themselves.
• Other villagers think that William should focus on building windmills for them.
• Other villagers feel that the family is greedy and should share their wealth.
• Other villagers are angry because all the visitors are disturbing them.

Which of the following examples best illustrates the meaning of scarcity?

• a restaurant that serves a delicious new dish
• a store that has beautiful jewelry in its windows
• a city that puts limits on water use during a drought
• a country that sends athletes to the summer Olympics

What is the most likely meaning of desire in the following sentence? The young actors desire a lead role in the new play, but they would also be happy with a small role.

• to want or wish for
• to feel or express
• to regard as true
• to reach a goal

What is the meaning of attempts in this sentence? Dad made several attempts to fix the leak, but the dripping continued.

• prices paid for something
• comments made to someone
• acts of trying to do something
• ideas about what someone should do

Read the excerpt in the image. What does this excerpt reveal about Mr. Kamkwamba's abilities?

• He is able to follow directions very carefully.
• He is able to work quickly under tight deadlines.
• He is able to find creative solutions to problems.
• He is able to persuade people to work hard for him.

Part A: Read the excerpt in the image. Which sentence best describes the effect that Mr. Kamkwamba had on the audience at the TED conference?

• He startled them.
• He amused them.
• He offended them.
• He inspired them.

Part B: Which phrase from the excerpt best supports the answer to Part A?

• about a windmill
• After the conference
• a group of entrepreneurs
• pledged to finance his education