Lonnie Johnson and Marie Curie Info Text Questions

What is the controlling idea of the article “Lonnie Johnson: From NASA Engineer to Super Soaker Inventor”?

• Lonnie Johnson’s engineering skills helped him create one of the most popular toys in history.

• Lonnie Johnson’s invention of the Super Soaker happened by accident.

• Lonnie Johnson was more focused on developing toys than advancing technology.

• Lonnie Johnson faced obstacles in his career at NASA but used problem-solving and perseverance to succeed.

Read this sentence from the selection.

“In 1982, while working on a new cooling system for NASA, Johnson accidentally discovered a way to shoot water at high pressure.”

How does this sentence contribute to the article’s development?

• It highlights how unexpected discoveries can lead to major inventions.

• It shows that Lonnie Johnson was not originally interested in toy design.

• It explains why Johnson decided to leave his job at NASA.

• It emphasizes that Johnson made mistakes before perfecting his invention.

How does the cause-and-effect structure in the article help the reader understand Johnson’s career?

• It shows how each challenge he faced led to an important discovery or innovation.

• It demonstrates how Johnson was always successful in the initial stage of building his inventions.

• It explains why Johnson had to make multiple career changes before succeeding.

• It describes how his inventions became more advanced over time.

What key idea about Lonnie Johnson is supported by the details in paragraphs about his work beyond the Super Soaker?

• He was more focused on making toys than contributing to technology.

• His engineering background allowed him to create groundbreaking inventions in other fields.

• He made most of his money from patents rather than from selling inventions.

• His success with the Super Soaker prevented him from pursuing more challenging projects.

Which idea is supported by information in BOTH “Marie Curie: You Glow, Girl” and “Lonnie Johnson: From NASA Engineer to Super Soaker Inventor”?

• A. Scientific discoveries often require perseverance.

• B. People should always be recognized for their contributions during their lifetime.

• C. Inventions are more valuable when they benefit the inventor personally.

• D. Being successful in science requires financial backing.

What is a major way Marie Curie’s discoveries in the selection “Marie Curie: You Glow, Girl” DIFFER from Lonnie Johnson’s inventions in “Lonnie Johnson: From NASA Engineer to Super Soaker Inventor”?

• Curie’s discoveries improved entertainment, while Johnson’s inventions advanced medicine.

• Curie’s discoveries were accidental, while Johnson’s inventions were carefully planned.

• Curie’s discoveries had life-threatening consequences, while Johnson’s inventions were safe.

• Curie’s discoveries were controversial, while Johnson’s inventions were universally praised.

In what way is the focus of the selections “Marie Curie: You Glow, Girl” and “Lonnie Johnson: From NASA Engineer to Super Soaker Inventor” SIMILAR?

Select TWO answers

• Both selections show how unexpected discoveries can change the world.

• Both selections explain how perseverance leads to major scientific achievements.

• Both selections highlight the importance of winning awards in science.

• Both selections describe how inventors create new products for commercial success.

Use the RACE strategy to respond to the following question:

What is the most likely reason the author used chronological order to organize the "Lonnie Johnson" article?

Use details from the article to support your answer.