Natural Inspiration and Brilliant Beetle

The author wrote this selection most likely to-

• prove that water can be obtained from moist air

• explain how an animal has adapted to living in a hostile environment

• show how people can apply designs from nature to create solutions to global problems

• emphasize that water is a scarce resource in many areas on Earth

What is one way that Velcro and the water-collection panels are similar?

• The creators of both inventions experimented with different materials.

• The inventions were both inspired by the same environment.

• The models for both inventions were discovered in unexpected sources.

• The inventions received the same amount of support in the beginning.

How did the development of Velcro differ from the development of the water collection panels?

• The water-collection panels took years to create, while Velcro was created in a short period of time.

• The water-collection panels are made of synthetic materials, while Velcro is made of natural materials.

• The design of water-collection panels has changed many times, while the design of Velcro has changed very little.

• The water-collection panels are intended to solve a specific problem, while Velcro is designed to be applied in many different situations.

What is the best summary of Natural Inspiration?

• Velcro, a fastener named from a combination of the words “velvet” and “crochet,” was invented by the Swiss engineer George de Mestral. He modeled Velcro after burrs that he found in nature. He learned that nylon was the best material to use to make Velcro.

• George de Mestral was an engineer from Switzerland who had a curious mind. After studying burrs stuck to his dog’s fur, Mestral decided to create a new kind of fastener. Velcro, the product that Mestral created, is a hook-and-loop fastener that works the same way burrs work in nature.

• George de Mestral was the engineer who invented Velcro, a type of hook-and-loop fastener modeled after burrs Mestral found stuck to his dog’s fur. Mestral overcame many obstacles as he worked to produce Velcro. Today, Velcro is commonly used to fasten a variety of materials.

• A curious man, George de Mestral noticed one day that burrs were stuck to his dog’s fur. He looked at these burrs under a microscope and saw that tiny hooks on the burrs allowed them to latch onto the fur. Mestral went on to invent Velcro, which uses hooks similar to those found on the burrs.

The photograph after paragraph 3 of A Brilliant Beetle is included in the selection to —

• A. show the process of how fog turns into water

• B. allow the reader to envision the size of the Namib beetle

• C. help the reader visualize how the Namib beetle collects water

• D. demonstrate how much water is needed by desert insects

In A Brilliant Beetle, the author focuses on a unique feature of the Namib beetle in order to highlight how the beetle —

• A. could serve as a source of water for desert travelers

• B. struggles to survive in a dry part of the world

• C. uses its wings to stay cool in an arid environment

• D. is able to provide itself with water in the absence of rain

The author wrote A Brilliant Beetle most likely to —

• A. prove that water can be obtained from moist air

• B. explain how an animal has adapted to living in a hostile environment

• C. show how people can apply designs from nature to create solutions to global problems

• D. emphasize that water is a scarce resource in many areas on Earth

The reader can conclude from the details in paragraph 4 of Natural Inspiration that Mestral —

• A. was determined to make his idea for Velcro a reality

• B. did not receive the product rights for Velcro

• C. was denied help because companies had difficulty manufacturing Velcro

• D. wanted Velcro to be known as the world’s best fastener

What is the main theme of 'Natural Inspiration and Brilliant Beetle'?

• A) The importance of preserving natural habitats

• B) How nature inspires technological innovations

• C) The struggle for survival in harsh environments

• D) The beauty of natural landscapes

Which literary device is primarily used in 'Natural Inspiration and Brilliant Beetle' to convey the message?

• A) Metaphor

• B) Simile

• C) Personification

• D) Imagery