READING CHECK || "African-American Inventors"

What class period do you have American History?

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

What is your FIRST name? Please capitalize correctly.

What is your LAST name? Please capitalize correctly.

Which President of the United States signed the first "Patent Act" into law?

• George Washington
• John Adams
• Thomas Jefferson
• James Madison

The 1790 Patent Act gave inventors the sole right to make and sell their invention for how many years?

• 4 years
• 10 years
• 14 years
• 20 years

How did Benjamin Banneker acquire his diverse skill set during his youth?

• Banneker attended college at the University of Virginia.
• Banneker was specially trained by the United States military.
• Banneker taught himself mathematics and surveying techniques.
• Banneker was an apprentice to a master watchmaker.

Which detail from the following paragraph BEST supports the conclusion that some inventions can improve an already existing invention?

• He taught himself math and became a mathematician.
• When he was 21, Banneker was shown a pocket watch.
• Banneker studied watches and decided to build his own.
• Banneker's wooden clock kept time for more than 40 years.

How did James Forten make his fortune?

• Forten patented a hand mill that easily ground corn into corn meal
• Forten developed a new method to turn cotton lint into thread
• Forten developed a device to handle ships' sails.
• Forten invented a method to dry-clean clothing.

Which detail MOST CLEARLY shows that equality was an important issue for African-Americans?

• It worked so well that Virginia lawmakers freed him so that he could work as a doctor and heal people.
• But slavery did not end until 59 years after Banneker died.
• Forten refused and said he never would become a traitor.
• Forten used his money to support the movements for women's rights and ending slavery.

Which of these was NOT an important need for almanacs in the 18th century by farmers, sailors, and other citizens?

• Almanacs predicted severe weather events like blizzards, tornados, and hail storms for farmers.
• Almanacs told when the sun would rise and set each day.
• Almanacs told the dates of solar and lunar eclipses.
• Almanacs listed the different phases of the moon.