A Young Tinker Builds a Windmill

According to “A Young Tinkerer Builds a Windmill, Electrifying a Nation,” how did Mr. Kamkwamba first learn to make windmills?

• He asked some foreigners visiting his village to help him make his windmills.

• He studied engineering at a local school and took a class in windmill design.

• He figured it out himself after seeing a picture of a windmill in a textbook.

• He watched and then copied another villager who made windmills.

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As explained in “A Young Tinkerer Builds a Windmill, Electrifying a Nation,” what is the main problem that Mr. Kamkwamba is trying to solve?

• his family’s expensive electricity bills

• the lack of access to electricity in his country

• the poorly constructed windmills in his village

• the pollution caused by electrical plants in Malawi

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According to “A Young Tinkerer Builds a Windmill, Electrifying a Nation,” why do people visit the Kamkwamba family compound? Choose two options.

• They can stay at the compound and help make windmills.

• They can pay for a tour of the house and its windmills.

• They can use the electricity to charge their phones.

• They can see the windmills they are curious about.

• They can borrow money from Mr. Kamkwamba.

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In “A Young Tinkerer Builds a Windmill, Electrifying a Nation,” how did Mr. Kamkwamba’s family react when he first decided to build a windmill?

• They laughed and thought that he was wasting his time.

• They were surprised but excited about getting electricity.

• They were proud and told all the villagers about his plans.

• They were unsure about its purpose but applauded his effort.

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According to “A Young Tinkerer Builds a Windmill, Electrifying a Nation,” what has caused tension in Mr. Kamkwamba’s village?

• Other villagers think that Mr. Kamkwamba should focus on building windmills for them.

• Other villagers observe the family’s success and want the same for themselves.

• Other villagers feel that the family is greedy and should share their wealth.

• Other villagers are angry because all the visitors are disturbing them.

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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

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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

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Read this excerpt from “A Young Tinkerer Builds a Windmill, Electrifying a Nation.”

The contraption causing all the fuss is a tower made from lashed-together blue-gum tree trunks. From a distance, it resembles an old oil derrick. For blades, Mr. Kamkwamba used flattened plastic pipes. He built a turbine from spare bicycle parts. When the wind kicks up, the blades spin so fast they rock the tower violently back and forth.

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.

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Read this excerpt from “A Young Tinkerer Builds a Windmill, Electrifying a Nation.”

“I got information about a windmill, and I try and I made it,” he said in halting English to a big ovation. After the conference, a group of entrepreneurs, African bloggers, and venture capitalists—some teary-eyed at the speech—pledged to finance his education.

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 impressed them.

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