The word “it” in line 2 refers to......

• (A) paper

• (B) ink reservoir

• (C) writing instrument

• (D) ball

The word “housing” in line 3 is

closest in meaning to...

• (A) point

• (B) residence

• (C) case

• (D) orbit

It can be inferred from the

passage that there was interest

in designing a new type of pen

because the old ones...

• (A) were too big

• (B) were expensive

• (C) leaked

• (D) cracked

The word “expire” in line 8 is

closest in meaning to...

• (A) end

• (B) change

• (C) copy

• (D) expand

It can be inferred that the

ballpoint pen first gained

popularity among

• (A) military personnel

• (B) businesspeople

• (C) scientists

• (D) artists

Which of the following

statements is true of the ball in

a ballpoint pen?

• (A) It is fitted directly into the

  tube

• (B) It controls the flow of ink.

• (C) It has a small hole.

• (D) It contains a reservoir of

  ink.

The author mentions a “suction

pump” in line 17 to indicate a

function of the

• (A) reservoir

• (B) plastic tube

• (C) socket

• (D) ball

The word “which” in line 19

refers to

• (A) supply

• (B) back of the ball

• (C) partial vacuum

• (D) ink reservoir

What was the purpose of

the small hole mentioned in

line 20?

• (A) To drain off excess ink

• (B) To improve ink flow to the

  tip of the pen

• (C) To reduce the amount of

  air in the pen

• (D) To allow the reservoir to be

  refilled

Until recently one limitation of

ballpoint pens was

• (A) their inability to function

  upside down

• (B) the cost of replacing empty

  reservoirs

• (C) the fragility of the point

• (D) corrosion due to the ink