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WorksheetsThe Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Total questions: 497
Worksheet time: 12hrs 22mins
Which inference is best supported by the phrase “Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope” in the excerpt’s title?
A. The author has more interest in inspiring his countrymen than he does in developing new power sources.
B. The discovery of windmills could change the way science is taught in Malawi.
C. The windmills have the potential to provide an escape from poverty.
D. The people of Malawi believe their standard of living can be improved through prayer.
Which of the following best explains why the author spends so much time in the library?
A. He and Gilbert go just because they enjoy pestering Mrs. Sikelo.
B. He enjoys reading and needs extra time to sort through the disorganized books.
C. It is the only public place in his region of Malawi that has adequate lighting and heating.
D. He has hopes of one day arranging all the books in the library alphabetically.
How mainly does the story of Syracuse and Archimedes add to the development of the story (paragraphs 12-13)?
“Imagine that hostile forces have invaded your town, and defeat seems certain. If you needed a hero to ‘save the day,’ it’s unlikely you would go to the nearest university and drag a scientist to the battlefront. Yet, according to legend, it was not a general who saved the Greek city of Syracuse when the Roman fleet attacked it in 214 b.c.
”It explained how Archimedes used his “Death Ray”—which was really a lot of mirrors—to reflect the sun onto the enemy ships until, one by one, they caught fire and sank. That was an example of how you can use the sun to produce energy.
A. It suggests that energy might be able to combat the hostile forces in Malawi the way it once did in Ancient Greece.
B. It inspires the author down a long road of consuming more and more classic stories from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome.
C. It gives the author an idea of how he might be able to defend his people against violent attacks.
D. It leads the author to see solar power as the key to turning things around in Malawi.
What does the line “No more skipping breakfast; no more dropping out of school” from the following passage mainly reveal (paragraph 20)?
No more skipping breakfast; no more dropping out of school. With a windmill, we’d finally release ourselves from the troubles of darkness and hunger. In Malawi, the wind was one of the few consistent things given to us by God, blowing in the treetops day and night. A windmill meant more than just power, it was freedom.
Answer choices for the above question
A. The author does not spend much time thinking about his future.
B. The author has a set way of living that he does not want to change.
C. The difficult conditions in Malawi have a major effect on the author’s day-to-day life.
D. Despite challenging conditions, the people of Malawi are highly optimistic.
Which of these inferences is best supported by the text?
A. The author was inclined toward engineering before he had ever heard of windmills.
B. Energy and science books never appealed to the author before because he thought they had no bearing on his life.
C. The author is frustrated that he did not learn about windmills earlier when they were more commonly used to generate power.
D. Mrs. Sikelo was trying to prevent the boys from learning about the power of windmills.
Which sentence from the text most strongly supports your answer to Question 5?
A. “All I needed was a windmill, and then I could have lights.”
B. “The English-Chichewa dictionaries were actually kept on the bottom shelf, but I never really spent much time looking down there.”
C. “People throughout Europe and the Middle East used windmills for pumping water and grinding grain.”
D. “We’d find old water bottles people threw away in the trading center, cut the plastic into blades like a fan, then put a nail through the center attached to a stick.”
What is most closely a central idea of the excerpt?
A. Discovering this book has the potential to radically alter the author’s life.
B. The author is mad at himself for not discovering this book sooner.
C. While the author found the windmill book interesting, he did not see much connection between it and the struggles in his life.
D. The people in Malawi did not see anything wrong with the conditions they were living in.
Which excerpt from the text most strongly supports the answer to Question 7?
A. “So I squatted down to grab one of the dictionaries, and when I did, I noticed a book I’d never seen, pushed into the shelf and slightly concealed.”
B. “A windmill meant more than just power, it was freedom.”
C. “That’s it, just a stupid pinwheel.”
D. “The cover featured a long row of windmills—though at the time I had no idea what a windmill was.”
Mrs. Sikelo hurries the boys to use the library quickly.
The author goes to the dictionary instead of Mrs. Sikelo since she is busy.
The author spots a book about windmills on a shelf he does not frequently look at.
The author discovers that wind can be harnessed for great power.
unfriendly
hostile
create
generate
generator
dynamo
corn
maize
watering
irrigation
What game did William begin playing as he started to grow up?
Chigora Danda
Kudoda
Bawo
Tsoro Yematatu
How does deforestation affect ESCOM ability to produce electricity?
They have to use firewood to cook and bathe.
Without trees the flash floods carry soil, minerals and trash into the river which clog the turbines.
ESCOM uses the wood to power the turbines.
Deforestation does not affect the productions of electricity.
People started getting sick because the traders began mixing the gaga with.....
nsima
maize chaff
sawdust
fertilizer
What happened when Mrs. Kamkwamba set up her stand for the day?
People started rushing her and knocked over the stand
one man stole three cakes and ate them without paying
Two ladies began to fight about how many they wanted to buy
It started raining and the sun dried up all her goods. She earned nothing that day.
"....maybe you should eat faster." Why did Rose make this statement?
She wanted more and so she ate faster
She was mad at her sister for eating too slow
She started shouting at her mother to cook more
She had grabbed a big handful of nsima before anybody else
Who was "Mister W. M. Phiri"
The teacher
The accountant for the school
The school master
The principal
Which inference is best supported by the phrase “Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope” in the excerpt’s title?
A. The author has more interest in inspiring his countrymen than he does in developing new power sources.
B. The discovery of windmills could change the way science is taught in Malawi.
C. The windmills have the potential to provide an escape from poverty.
D. The people of Malawi believe their standard of living can be improved through prayer.
Which of the following best explains why the author spends so much time in the library?
A. He and Gilbert go just because they enjoy pestering Mrs. Sikelo.
B. He enjoys reading and needs extra time to sort through the disorganized books.
C. It is the only public place in his region of Malawi that has adequate lighting and heating.
D. He has hopes of one day arranging all the books in the library alphabetically.
What is a synonym for HOSTILE?
unfriendly
nice
awesome
great
What is a synonym for MAIZE?
tortillas
corn
bread
shoes
“In most other parts of Africa, dogs are used to protect homes and farms. No one buys them as pets like they do in America, and they certainly don’t lavish them with rubber toys and fancy food” (38).
Part A: Which best describes the meaning of the word lavish as it is used in the excerpt?
bathe
pamper
tease
scold
Reread an excerpt from chapter 2 of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, starting on page 40 (“One morning after the rains . . .”) and ending on page 41 (“. . . waistband of my trousers”).
Which of the following is something the reader can infer about William’s character from the excerpt?
He is resourceful and good at building tools.
He is faithful to his dog Khamba.
He is hard-working, spending long days hunting.
He is generous and will share the food he hunts with his family.
What happened to William's family because of the drought? (Drought means a long period of time without rain)
They did not have food
They only ate once a day
Only the children ate
Only the grown up ate
What was William forced to do because his parents did not have money?
Sell his clothes
Work in the fields
Drop out of school
After William saw lucky students going to school, what did he suddenly remember?
There was a library nearby
His dad told him to work
There was a farm at the school
The windmill was more than a machine. It was a _________________________ .
"...magical invention."
"...cool and interesting idea."
"...weapon to fight hunger."
Who is the narrator?
William Kamkwamba
Khamba
Unknown
Uncle Socrates
Who is William's best friend in chapter 2?
Witch Doctor
Gilbert
Khamba
Geoffrey
William is happy that he has to drop out because he gets more free time.
No, he wants to get education.
Yes, he can sleep and stay at home all day.
In chapter 8, how was the disease that struck Malawi called?
Diarrhea
Anemia
Tuberculosis
Cholera
Since William can't attend school because his parents don't have enough money to pay the fees, where does he get his education?
The Library
Chamama
How much kwacha did the dynamo cost?
he found it in a scrap yard
200 kwacha
500 kwacha
1,000 kwacha
How did Khamba die?
They cooked him because they didn't have any food.
They through a stone on top of him.
Charity, William and Mizeck took Khamba to the forest, tied him up to a tree and let him die.
Where did William put his windmill?
in front of his house
in the trading center
in the feilds
behind the kitchen
Where did William travel to go to the conference?
Tanzania
California
Palm Springs
Nigeria
What did item did William make to go hunting?
sword
bow and arrow
bat
Knives
Did the witch doctor help William fight the bully?
Yes, the witch doctor casted a spell that made William stronger.
No, the witch doctor betrayed William and lied to him by telling him he will become strong.
What food can William not live without?
chicken
maize
nsima
pumpkin leaves
William's easiest subject and the best he was at was...
(a)
Another saying for witch doctor is...
(a)
What was William curious about when he went to the conference?
The Internet
Laptops
cellphones
Why did William not go to school when all of the other students returned?
His father died and he had to stay home to help his mother.
He was working on his hunting skills so that his family would have food to eat.
His family did not have the money to pay the fees for school.
He decided that he did not want to go to school anymore.
In the beginning of Chapter 9, with what did Gilbert offer to help William?
Planting the maize for his family so that they would have food
The independent study that would keep William’s brain from becoming soft
Putting Khamba out of his misery
Planting the blue gum pole for his hammock
Two of the books that William checked out from the library were Explaining Physics and Integrated Science. Why was the physics book more difficult than the Integrated Science book, and how did William overcome this?
The physics book was written in English, but William had Gilbert help him with the words.
The science book was written in the native language of Malawi, so it was easy for him.
William never had a problem with either of these books, but the geography was hard.
The physics book had long complicated words, but it had pictures so he could figure it out.
How did the book Using Energy change William’s life?
He read about how magnets could help him make electricity in this book.
In this book he learned about why science was positive.
This is the book where William learned about the power of windmills.
This was the book that explained the power of the dynamo.
How did William get a generator to power his experimental windmill?
He loaded trucks at CHiPiKU to make money to buy it.
He sold some of his mother’s cakes so that he could afford one.
He had some spares from when he and his friends repaired radios for fun.
He took it out of Geoffrey’s Panasonic that he used when working in the fields.
Where did William get many of the parts to build the windmill?
They were ordered through the library where he got the windmill book.
They were ordered through the library where he got the windmill book.
Gilbert went to town at night and stole them.
Geoffrey paid for all of the parts.
At the beginning of Chapter 10, William’s father gives William money to buy a book and two pencils, and his mother purchases a new bar of soap. How does William react to this?
He becomes anxious over his parents spending this much money on him.
He feels reassured and excited that his parents will now be able to afford to send him back to school.
He becomes upset because he knows that Gilbert will be unable to return to school with him.
He begins bragging to the older school boys about his new supplies.
After being unable to pay his fees, William sneaks around and hides during roll call in order to secretly stay in school for a few weeks. How does this make him feel?
Excited by the thrill of hiding
Extremely nervous
Angry because he can’t just go for free
Confident that he will get away with it for the remainder of the year
Why does the fact that William is a boy make it feel worse that he cannot attend school?
An education is a boy’s only opportunity to escape poverty here
Girls never attend school in Malawi
Every boy in William’s family has managed to graduate with an education, until now
Most girls wait until later in their lives to continue their schooling, but boys go to school while they’re young
While looking for parts for his project, William pretends that he is a great mechanic, and imagines helping his employees fix a car. What character trait does this most display?
Determination to succeed
Immaturity
Loyalty
Intelligence
What did William figure out when he blew up his dad’s radio?
That the radio receiver was broken
That the dynamo was flooding the radio with too much voltage
That wind energy doesn’t convert to radio energy
That he would have to start all over again and find a new dynamo
Which is one of the ways that Gilbert proves he is a great friend?
Even though his dad had paid, he refused to go to school so that he could keep William company.
When he had money, he gave it William money to pay for the creation of the windmill.
He would never discuss William with all of the other students who bad-mouthed him.
He convinced his dad to apply for government funding for William’s project.
Which word best describes the way the crowd reacted to the windmill when it worked?
They were jealous and resentful.
They were angry and bitter.
They were excited and curious.
They were relaxed and reassuring.
How did the light William installed in his room change his typical routine?
It meant that he could stay up past dark and read.
It meant that he could save his chores for the night and read all day.
It meant that he had to fold laundry in his room at night.
It meant that all of his sisters came into his room after dark and bothered him.
When William’s family went to one meal per day, why did the family decide that they should eat dinner instead of breakfast or lunch?
Because then they could have the energy to work all night when it wasn’t so hot outside, and sleep during the day
So that they wouldn’t have to go to bed hungry
William’s sister, Annie, never ate breakfast anyway
Because the children were at school during breakfast and lunch times
How did William respond to the extremely small meal that his family had when they decided they needed to cut back?
He made sure that all of his sisters had plenty before he took any.
He punched a wall out of anger that they had so little.
He was happy that they at least had something to eat.
He became terrified when he saw the bowl, and ate nothing.
What is the significance of William’s new sister’s name, Tiyamike?
It means “We Are Starving,” and it was used to reflect the poor circumstances into which she was born.
It means “No Name,” and it was given to her in place of a real name, because they did not know if she would survive during the famine.
It means “Blessed,” and it was chosen for her because the family had just enough food to keep her fed.
It means “Thank God,” and it was given to her because she was born healthy.
How did William’s father respond to the news that Annie had run away with the teacher?
He was secretly glad for her that she would no longer be burdened by the famine.
He was thankful that he would not have to continue paying her school fees because her new husband would care for her.
He was furious at first, but then seemed to quickly accept it.
He shouted at William, asking him why he didn’t know where they had gone.
What was William’s experience at the ADMARC like?
Most people there were loud and violent, and they were fighting for food and spots in line.
It was sad and quiet—people in line were silent, withdrawn, and half-starved.
It was a refreshing experience because the workers were friendly, and the people in line were grateful.
The only problem that William encountered was that he was cheated on the amount of food he was given for the price.
What did William and Charity eat for Christmas?
Roasted Ants
Goat Skin
Fried Chicken
Lamb Leg
Why did William not get into one of the top secondary schools?
Because the school administrator was angry with him
Because he did not perform well on his exams
Because he had not been to school in so long
Because his father had requested he stay close to home
How did William’s mother help the family during the food shortage?
She made cakes and sold them at the market.
She sold her family heirlooms, like quilts and beads.
She grew carrots and peas in the yard.
She took in sewing jobs from the people in the village.
Why did the family meals become such a source of anxiety for William’s sister Doris?
Because her sister Rose would quickly snatch most of the food
Because she hated listening to her parents complain about food shortages
Because she was so hungry that it physically pained her to eat
Because her mother would give all of the food to the baby Tiyamike
How were the conditions of William’s new school, compared to his primary school?
Both schools were in decent shape, not great but not bad.
Just as bad—the school was in terrible disrepair.
Much better, as the government had recently increased funding.
Way worse; William’s primary school had been clean and modern.
What was ironic about the way Malawi appeared on the world map?
Malawi looked really big on the map, but it was actually very tiny.
Malawi looked beautiful and sparkling, but nearly everybody was starving to death.
Malawi looked covered in dust on the map, but it was actually lush and green.
William did not know where Malawi was located and felt foolish.
What change did William notice in the bodies of some of the starving people during the famine?
They begin to hunch over, and their backs become deformed.
Their bellies began to swell with liquid because of the lack of protein.
Many people lost their hair and fingernails.
Their bones began deteriorating so they could not walk.
Who denied that there was a hunger problem in Malawi?
The president of Malawi
The chief of Wimbe
William’s mother
The president of the United States
Why didn’t William and Khamba catch any birds on their last trip hunting together?
Because they didn’t have any real bait, only ash
Because Khama was too tired to go with him
Because all of the birds had left Wimbe
Because William could not carry the trap
What did Mizeck and Charity want William to do with Khamba?
Take him to a doctor
Feed him
Kill him
Give him to another family
How did William respond to their demand?
He went along with it and later regretted it.
He refused and then regretted it.
He ignored them and was proud of it.
He refused and then was proud of it.
What disease rapidly began sweeping the nation during the famine?
Influenza
Cholera
Malaria
Ebola
Why did William’s mother refuse to weigh herself or let the children weigh themselves?
Because she thought that thinking about hunger only made it worse
Because she thought that they were in fact gaining weight
Because they would have to use energy to walk to the scale at the market
Because she refused to believe that there was a hunger problem in Malawi
How did William feel after his Uncle John suddenly passed away when he was 9-years old?
He was ashamed of himself because he did not want to cry.
He was terrified because his mother told him that his dad would die next.
His was devastated because his Uncle John was his best friend.
William was worried about what would happen to his family now that his uncle was gone.
How did the change of president of Malawi affect William’s family?
The president had no effect on William’s family at all.
The new president stopped helping farmers and made it hard to earn a living by farming.
The new president stole the crops that the farmers grew in order to sell to other countries.
The new president refused to allow farmers to have running water in their fields.
Who was Khamba?
Khamba was Uncle John’s friend that helped him start his business.
Khamba was William’s cousin who moved back to the village after his dad lost his job.
Khamba was a dog that followed William everywhere.
Khamba was the new president after Banda was voted out.
How does William’s view of dogs compare to that of the other Wimbe citizens?
William sees dogs as totally beneath men, whereas the citizens adore dogs
William sees dogs as companions, whereas the citizens think they are filthy and dumb
Both William and the Wimbe citizens view dogs as “man’s best friend”
The Wimbe citizens view dogs as scary and dangerous, whereas William is not afraid.
How was William conflicted about the game of soccer?
He loved his team, but watching the games made him miserable
He loved his team and the neighboring village’s team equally
He wished he could play, but his father wouldn’t let him
He didn’t like to play soccer but knew it was the “cool” thing to do
How did William first learn to love science?
Fixing broken-down cars
Working with computer parts
Taking apart and fixing radios
Building a magnetic key for his father
How did the people of Malawi feel about the food nsima?
They were sick of it because they had to eat it day and night.
It was their main food, and they didn’t feel that a meal was complete without it.
They didn’t really care for it, but they ate it anyway.
Because it was passed down from many generations, they ate it only on special occasions.
What seems to motivate William the most?
Learning how things worked
What other people think of him at school
His love for sports and being the best
Seeing his ancestors again
How did discovering how the bicycle dynamo worked to create electricity make William feel?
Curious to discover more
Angry that he couldn’t use it to produce enough electricity to power his home
Ecstatic (excited) that he had figured everything out
Confused by how it worked
Which word best describes Gilbert’s father, Chief Wimbe?
Annoyed
Bitter
Responsible
Enthusiastic
Beginning in Chapter 5, what are the people in the village suddenly worried about?
Wild animal attacks
Hurricanes
Dehydration
Starvation
What happens to Khamba in Chapter 5?
He is accidentally shot by a hunter.
He becomes slower and thinner.
He runs away from William and the farm.
He gets a job in a neighboring village.
How did the officials respond to Chief Wimbe’s speech to the president?
They threw rotten vegetables at him
They gave him an abundance of food to hand out to the villagers
They applauded him and did nothing else
They beat him up
CHAPTER 3: Where did the electricity in Malawi come from?
generated from turbines in a river
coal fired power stations
from wind power
from batteries
CHAPTER 3: How did William and Gilbert begin to explore science?
the listened to radio programmes about science
the took radios apart to see how they worked
they read books about science
the asked a sing'anga
CHAPTER 4: Which of the following did NOT contribute to the low maize harvest in 2000?
grasshoppers eating the crop
expensive fertilizer
flooding
drought
CHAPTER 5 (pg 69 - 74) What did people eat as Malawi ran out of maize?
gaga (the outside parts of the maize - used for bird food)
green mangoes
the family goats
gaga, green mangoes & family goats
How did the people of Malawi feel about the food nsima?
They were sick of it because they had to eat it day and night.
It was their main food, and they didn’t feel that a meal was complete without it.
They didn’t really care for it, but they ate it anyway.
Because it was passed down from many generations, they ate it only on special occasions.
Beginning in Chapter 5, what are the people in the village suddenly worried about?
Wild animal attacks
Hurricanes
Dehydration
Starvation
During which year did Malawi experience a flood followed by drought?
1999
2005
1887
2000
Chapter 5: How does the title foreshadow what may happen in this chapter?
It makes the reader think there will be a problem with William's school assignment
It makes the reader think there will be a problem with the farmers
It makes the reader think there will be a problem with the people of Malawi getting food
It doesn't foreshadow what might happen
What can you infer about William's parents and their decision to sell their food to make money?
They are resourceful.
They don't care about their family
They have given up on living.
They are too afraid to take risks.
CHAPTER 5 (pg 83 - 88): How much food did William get at Chamama?
enough for three days
enough for one week
enough for a month
enough for 2 months
CHAPTER 5 (pg 89 - 98): What did William NOT eat during the famine?
flying ants
nsima
goat skin
his pet dog Khamba
What was one of the important moments of Trywell's day?
When he could drink at the pub.
When he saw Agnes.
When he earned lots of money.
When he was with his friends.
What was the first impression of Agnes about Trywell?
That he was relaxed and easy-going.
That he was fun and the center of attention.
That he was afraid about her.
That he was a bad person.
How was Agnes' and Trywell's first meeting?
Agnes changed her way to the market and faced him.
Trywell went to her house to ask her to marry him.
Agnes sent him a message with a village girl.
Trywell called Agnes and they had their first date.
How were Agnes' parents?
Her mother was shy and her father was brave.
Her mother was strong and her father was a tailor.
Both, her mother and her father, were violent people.
She just lived with her brother.
How did Trywell ask Agnes to marry him?
He shouted that when they met at the market.
He sent her a love letter.
He went to her parents and asked them.
They never got married.
What happened to Trywell's friends?
They became important people and moved to another city.
They all died.
Some of them died, some disappeared and some were arrested.
They all stayed with him.
What was the incident that almost got Trywell to prison?
Trywell killed a man and went to prison for some years.
Trywell almost killed a man and he was going to be sent to a terrible prison.
Trywell tried to scape with Agnes.
Trywell stole some food and medicines from the market.
What happened in Trywell's dream?
He heard a voice that asked him to marry another woman.
He became blind.
He heard a voice that asked him to quit drinking and turn to it
He saw the terrible things that happened to his friends.
What changed in Trywell's life after his dream?
He became a banker.
He drank more and more every day.
He became a better father and he had extra money.
He started fighting with his wife.
What are William's parents' names?
Trywell and Angela
Trywell and Agnes
Tryhard and Agnes
Tryhard and Angela
Why did William's father give up drinking?
He was sick
It was bad for him
To be a better man
He didn't like it any more
What did Uncle John manage to save up money for?
To start a farm imports business, buying and selling maize seed and fertiliser
Open a bar for the local farmers
To buy 49 acres of land from Chief Wimbe
He didn't manage to save any money and died penniless
Why did Agnes, Trywell, Annie, William and Aishsa move to Wimbe?
To find a job
For the children to go to a better school
So Trywell could work for Uncle John on his farm
They could no longer afford to live in their home
How did William's family acquire their house?
Trywell built it
They bought it from a local famer
They moved in with another family who then left
They didn't; they ended up homeless
What is mangolomera
A language spoken in Malawi
A contraption that helps with washing clothes
A type of vegetable that is used in Malawian cooking
A form of magic that delivered superhuman stregnth
Why did William's father end up taking on the business alone?
He was good at it and John handed it over to him
Uncle John died suddenly
William's father bought the business from his brother
Uncle John was no longer interested in it and left
Why did William's father have to give up the business?
It had to be given to John's oldest son when John died
He couldn't afford to run it any more
He had no interest in the business any more
He became ill and couldn't manage it
Who is Khamba?
William's friend
William's brother
William's dog
William's imaginary friend
What do William, Geoffrey and Khamba often do?
Go swimming
Go hunting
Go running
Watch movies
commotion
noisy confusion; disorder
movement of a train
the act of running away
outwitted
got the better of someone by being more clever
dried out from heat
very funny personality
famine
family connections
extended family
a great lack of food over a wide area
woeful
unhappy, sorrowful
joyful
hopeful
surplus
servings or helpings of food
an extra amount
army supplies
feeble
wobbly
weak; without strength
hungry
dismal
undaunted
distracted
sad, full of gloom
portions
cooked poultry
servings or helping of food from one person
partitions for sleeping
threadbare
sewing; making clothing
meager clothing
clothing so worn that the threads can be seen
meager
part of a whole
low in amount, strength or value
non-sense
contaminated
containing supplies
made dirty, polluted, or not usable
container to hold things needed
plague
a layering of calcium on the teeth
a disease that spreads quickly and kills many people
something to recognize the attributes of a person
parable
a short novel
a short story told to teach a moral
a short poem
stimulated
excited; activated
electrical shock for medical purposes
occurring a the same time
conductor
a person who conducts and interview
engineer running a train
anything that carries or allows the passage of heat or electricity
disarray
the point at which two lines cross
confusion; disorder
dissolving rays of the sun
converted
contented
changed into another form or state
electroshocked
To make from whatever materials are around
improvise
hoist
discarded
The resistance of a surface to motion
fetch
laden
friction
to lift or elevate
to get or bring back
hoist
improvise
to get or bring back
fate
fetch
forbade
One's destiny or fortune
fate
fetch
hoist
filled with a great weight
bored
lapel
laden
past tense of forbid; to prevent
forbade
forgive
fortune
thrown out; cast off
distance
discarded
friction
made a hole with a drill
fused
botched
bored
difficult to hold or carry because of size, shape, or weight
contrary
cohesive
cumbersome
equal; having the same relationship toward one another
mutual
massacre
motioning
melted together
fiction
fused
fetch
mastering or overcoming by strength of mind or character
conquering
rigorous
quenching
What game did William begin playing as he started to grow up?
Chigora Danda
Kudoda
Bawo
Tsoro Yematatu
"....maybe you should eat faster." Why did Rose make this statement?
She wanted more and so she ate faster
She was mad at her sister for eating too slow
She started shouting at her mother to cook more
She had grabbed a big handful of nsima before anybody else
Which inference is best supported by the phrase “Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope” in the excerpt’s title?
A. The author has more interest in inspiring his countrymen than he does in developing new power sources.
B. The discovery of windmills could change the way science is taught in Malawi.
C. The windmills have the potential to provide an escape from poverty.
D. The people of Malawi believe their standard of living can be improved through prayer.
Which of these inferences is best supported by the text?
A. The author was inclined toward engineering before he had ever heard of windmills.
B. Energy and science books never appealed to the author before because he thought they had no bearing on his life.
C. The author is frustrated that he did not learn about windmills earlier when they were more commonly used to generate power.
D. Mrs. Sikelo was trying to prevent the boys from learning about the power of windmills.
What does the line “No more skipping breakfast; no more dropping out of school” from the following passage mainly reveal (paragraph 20)?
No more skipping breakfast; no more dropping out of school. With a windmill, we’d finally release ourselves from the troubles of darkness and hunger. In Malawi, the wind was one of the few consistent things given to us by God, blowing in the treetops day and night. A windmill meant more than just power, it was freedom.
A. The author does not spend much time thinking about his future.
B. The author has a set way of living that he does not want to change.
C. The difficult conditions in Malawi have a major effect on the author’s day-to-day life.
D. Despite challenging conditions, the people of Malawi are highly optimistic.
What is a synonym for HOSTILE?
unfriendly
nice
awesome
great
What is a synonym for GENERATE?
stop
create
ugly
general
What is a synonym for DYNAMO?
outside
inside
big
generator
What is a synonym for MAIZE?
tortillas
corn
bread
shoes
What is a synonym for IRRIGATION?
drought
grass
field
watering
CHAPTER 12 (pg 208 - 212): What did William need to build so he could charge people's phones?
a computer
a power station
a step up transformer
a shop
CHAPTER 13 (pg 226 - 233): Which of William's projects failed?
charging phones
making a radio station
pumping water
all of them
CHAPTER 13 (pg 233 - 241): Why does William worry that the villagers will try to destroy his windmill?
Because they believe it is magic and has blown away the rain clouds.
Because it is too noisy and made of rubbish and looks terrible.
Because the electricity company (ESCOM) has paid them to destroy it.
Where does William learn about wind energy?
the school library
on television
from an elder in the village
from a summer camp he attended
What part does William need from his teacher's bike to create electricity?
the pedals
the handle bars
the spokes
the dynamo
How will William's creation help the people of the village.
the windmill will make the homes cooler at night for sleeping
the windmill will create new jobs for the people
the windmill will pump water to the crops in the dry season
Choose the most correct description of famine.
extreme scarcity of food
a disease that affects humans and other mammals
a state of armed conflict between states
dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power
What must William's father sacrifice in order for William to make the windmill work?
his money
his bicycle
his tools
his land
"Where others see garbage, I see opportunity."
What does William mean when he says the quote ?
People should recycle.
He knew everyday materials could be used to make things that were useful and could benefit their situation.
He knew nothing could be done to benefit their situation.
Collecting garbage is a job opportunity.
"I took the paper to the trading center to show everyone what a madman had done." (p249)
Why dose William refer to himself as a madman?
He has made himself crazy making windmills.
H is mad that no one believed in him.
Because everyone kept saying he was crazy while he was making the windmill.
He was going to the trading center to see a mad man about the windmill.
All of the following could be different themes of the book except:
If you want to make it, all you have to do is try
Hard work and perseverance can take you far
chase your dreams and never let them go regardless of life's difficulties
If things are too hard, just give up
CHAPTER 9 (pg 137 - 140): Why is William glad to see Gilbert after school each day?
He can play chess with him to keep his mind active.
He can play bawo with him.
Gilbert can teach him what he learned at school.
They can go hunting together to find food.
Where did this story take place? (setting)
Southern Sudan, Africa
Kenya, Africa
Malawi, Africa
Ethiopia, Africa
What year was it when the story takes place?
2010
2001
2020
1985
Is the story of the boy who harnessed the wind based on a true story?
yes
no
What is the main problem that the people of this village are facing?
shortage of food
hurricane season
forest fires
a civil war
Who does William's sister run away with?
her uncle
a group of university students
William's teacher
the rebel army
Where does William learn about wind energy?
the school library
on television
from an elder in the village
from a summer camp he attended
What part does William need from his teacher's bike to create electricity?
the pedals
the handle bars
the spokes
the dynamo
What does William build to help his village during the dry season?
an aqueduct
a windmill
a garden hose
a faucet for each home
How will William's creation help the people of the village.
the windmill will make the homes cooler at night for sleeping
the windmill will create new jobs for the people
the windmill will pump water to the crops in the dry season
What must William's father sacrifice in order for William to make the windmill work?
his money
his bicycle
his tools
his land
What is the title of Chapter 5?
Chapter 5
Malawi Begins to Starve
The Uncertain Life of an African Farmer
My School Assignment
How does the title foreshadow what may happen in this chapter?
It makes the reader think there will be a problem with William's school assignment
It makes the reader think there will be a problem with the farmers
It makes the reader think there will be a problem with the people of Malawi getting food
It doesn't foreshadow what might happen
What does the word, "ganyu" mean?
it is another word for handouts of free food from the chief
it is another word for games to be played by poor children for little money
it is another word for drought, or running out of food
it is another word for day labor, or small jobs for a little food or money.
What does mother mean when she says, "Only God can help us"?
She has a strong faith in God and she's saying that if they live through the drought, that it will be by a "miracle of God".
She has a strong faith in God and she's saying that God will come and rescue them.
She's saying that they should give up and prepare to starve to death.
She doesn't believe in God
Why does William seem surprised by people eating "gaga"?
because It was trash
because it was seen as food for chickens and pigs
because it was nasty
because it was usually used as fertilizer
What happened to the emergency maize?
The people ate it all.
The government decided no one could have any extra this year.
The harvest was too poor for any extra maize.
Corrupt men in the government sold the emergency maize and took off with the money.
What is the first meal that William's family stops eating?
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
A midnight snack
What problem is Geoffrey having?
He is having to support his family since his father died.
He hasn't been eating because they don't have enough food.
He is so busy with school he can't do his farm chores.
He has been staying in his room alone.
What can you infer about William's parents and their decision to sell their food to make money?
They are resourceful.
They don't care about their family
They have given up on living.
They are too afraid to take risks.
What does not make the people in line for the food start to push?
Impatience
hunger
desperation
happiness
What can you infer about the government officials giving out the maize in Chamama?
They are really nice
They are hungry too
They are corrupt too
They are honest
What can you infer about Mister Mangochi's character based on the following: "A few of the businessmen like Mister Mangochi bought the neighbor's furniture and later gave it back."
He is greedy
He is kind and generous
He's a smart businessman
He is making a lot of money off of the famine
What is the title of Chapter 8?
Twenty-One Pilots
Twenty Dimes
Twenty Dams
Twenty Days
What side effect of malnutrition and starvation causes body parts to bloat?
Kwashiorkor
Malaria
Elephantiasis
Dengue
What epidemic outbreak affected the Wimbe district?
COVID
Cholera
Chlorine
Ebola
What was speculated to be the cause of human contagion of cholera?
A man sneezed on to another person.
A bat got cooked and eaten in an exotic meat festival.
A man went to a funeral and caught it there, spreading it when he came back home.
A virus broke out from quarantine.
What is another cause of the outbreak of cholera? Choose all that apply.
Insects getting into the latrines, then landing on human food.
People not having clean water to drink.
Starvation in Malawi
Price hikes of maize
Which are the effects of cholera on humans? Select as many answers as possible.
Severe Diarrhea
Dehydration
Cloudy Eyes
Weakness
What did the people in Malawi put in their water to help prevent sickness?
Antibiotics
Salt
Iodine
Chlorine
What do Malawians call "corn on the cob"?
Chakra
Chikwhapu
Dowe
Dale
What signifies twenty days for William and his family?
Twenty days until crops are ready for harvest time
Twenty days until sprouts come out
Twenty days until rations from the government are distributed
Twenty days until they eat again
Was William's family able to eat a full meal again after harvesting their maize?
Yes
No
The thoughts of an individual that are not necessarily shared aloud with other individuals but that are shared with the reader
Inner Thoughts
Description
Dialogue
Anecdote
Specific and Vivid details told often with imagery; could be physical description of an individual or general description of an idea or concept.
Inner Thoughts
Description
Dialogue
Examples
The actual words spoken by an individual to another individual; written with quotation marks.
Inner Thoughts
Allusion
Dialogue
Anecdote
Specific Instance or Sample to Illustrate an idea or concept.
Description
Allusion
Anecdote
Examples
A short and interesting, sometimes funny, story.
Anecdote
Allusion
Description
Examples
Reference to a different text, person, or event.
Example
Description
Anecdote
Allusion
"What materials did you use?"
"I used a bicycle frame, and a pulley, and a plastic pipe."
This TED Talk is an example of which method?
Inner Thoughts
Description
Dialogue
Anecdote
Let them, I thought. It was time (page 2).
This is an example of
Inner Thoughts
Description
Dialogue
Examples
So cracked and wrinkled that his hands and feet looked as if they were chiseled from stone (page 11).
This is an example of
Inner Thoughts
Description
Dialogue
Examples
I pleaded in silence: Don't let me down (page 3).
This is an example of
Description
Dialogue
Inner Thoughts
Allusion
How did the men in the village act towards William the whole time he was working on his project?
They were very helpful and gave him advice.
They just laughed and made fun of him.
They had a whole lot of respect for William.
They pretty much ignored him the whole time.
Why did the crowd gasp at the end of the prologue? What did William create?
They gasped because they were amazed that he succeeded in creating the windmill.
They gasped because he almost fell off of the ladder when he created the windmill.
They gasped because they felt sorry for William when he failed at creating a windmill.
They gasped because they were amazed that he succeeded at creating a water well.
What country is William from?
Algeria
Mozambique
Ghana
Malawi
What was the nickname of the country where William lived?
The Heart of the Country
The Heart of the Sea
The Warm Heart of Africa
The Cold Heart of Antarctica
Why was the country called the "Warm Heart of Africa"?
Because it is really warm in Africa.
Because it is in the center of Africa.
Because Malawi is the capitol of Africa
Because the people are so kind and caring in Malawi
What is the downside William mentioned about not having any brothers?
He didn't have anyone to help him plant crops and do chores.
He didn't have anyone to help watch over him when other kids bullied him.
He didn't have anyone to play soccer with.
He didn't have anyone to teach him how to fish.
What kinds of chores do William and his sisters have on the farm?
Taking care of the babies and small children
Cleaning the clothes in the river
Cooking dinner for the family
Planting and harvesting maize and other crops
How is William’s access to technology different from what we are used to in our society?
There are more televisions in Malawi.
Most kids in Malawi have video game consoles.
Students in Malawi schools have Chromebooks.
Kids in Malawi have very limited access to technology.
What did William’s family use for lighting?
kerosene lamps
electric lamp
candles
torches
What was access to education like for William and other residents of Malawi?
Students in Malawi have the same opportunities as students in the United States.
Students in Malawi may all attend college for free.
Students in Malawi have nice classroom furniture and all of the supplies needed to do activities.
Students in Malawi do not have many opportunities to go to college or have access to necessary materials.
What did people in his village rely on for medical advice?
The internet
witch doctors
medical books
experienced medical doctors
What was dangerous about people in the village relying on magic?
People in the village could die for not receiving proper medical attention.
You could put a spell on someone by mistake.
It was against the law and you could go to jail for doing magic.
Magic could cause major natural disasters.
What did William and his friends discover on the road one day?
a kerosene lamp
an African soccer ball
treasure
a bag of bubble gum
What happened as a result of finding and enjoying the bubble gum?
The trader threatened to go to the sing'anga and put a spell on William and his friends.
William and his friends got very sick and threw up for days.
William had to pay the trader for the gum with his allowance.
William was haunted by evil spirits.
What scares William the most?
The witch doctors
Bullies in his school
the Gule Wamkulu
large snakes
What does William's father tell him about the spirits?
He told William not to play around with the evil spirits because they can kill him.
He told him that he should try to communicate with the spirits as much as possible.
He told him that he should not believe in evil spirits at all.
He told him that he should respect the spirits and not mess with them, but that God would protect him.
What type of magic do the people of Malawi believe in?
Juju
alchemy
shamanism
Voodoo
What does William think about Americans after watching movies?
Americans are scary!
Americans are aggressive!
Americans are crazy!
Americans are immortal!
What did they call the group of Williams friends? (William, Geoffrey, and Gilbert)
The 3 Amigos
The 3 Musketeers
The 3 Little Pigs
The Solid Gang of 3
What did William say was the same about children everywhere no matter where you go?
They all like ice cream.
They all like soccer.
They all learn the same but with different materials.
They all play about the same, but with different materials.
What started changing the year that William turned 13 years old?
He started working at the local gas station.
His body changed and he became interested in different things.
He started fishing and hunting more.
He was more interested in the girls at school.
What was "brawo"?
A game that William became good at playing.
A bird trap that he build with scraps.
Ground up maize used to catch birds in a trap.
Another word for African football.
What was William's only link to life outside of Africa?
newspapers
books about other countries
the internet
information and music heard on the radio
What things did William and the other villagers listen to on the radio?
news and sports
Malawian reggae music
church sermons and gospel music
All of these
American rhythm and blues
What was confusing to Geoffrey about what he was hearing on the radio?
He did not know if the news he was hearing was true or false.
He could not understand how one singer's voice was on one station, while another singer's voice was on another.
He did not understand how people liked listening to reggae music, while others liked Dolly Parton songs.
He did not understand the languages he was hearing on the radio.
How did William and Geoffrey begin helping people in their village?
They began cooking meals for the sick and poor in their village.
They began running errands for the elderly people in the village.
They began making soccer balls for kids that wanted to play soccer, but did not have a soccer ball.
They began to repair radios for people in the village.
William and Geoffrey did not have enough money for batteries so they solved the problem by ...
They used solar powered panels for energy.
They used a windmill to power the radios.
They used batteries in big cassette and CD players that had leftover energy.
They used dynamos to power the radios.
Why were customers so surprised when they came to the workshop?
They could not believe how neat the shop was.
They could not believe how young William and Geoffrey were.
They could not believe that there were so many supplies to work with.
They were surprised to see so many workers in the workshop.
What intrigued William the most?
The Gule Wamkulu
hunting birds in the forest
watching movies like the Terminator
how dynamos worked on bicycles
What made William different from other people in the village?
He was the youngest in the village.
He spoke a different language than other kids in the village.
He looked very different from the other people in the village.
He really wanted to know how things worked, but others could enjoy things without asking questions.
Which inference is best supported by the phrase “Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope” in the excerpt’s title?
A. The author has more interest in inspiring his countrymen than he does in developing new power sources.
B. The discovery of windmills could change the way science is taught in Malawi.
C. The windmills have the potential to provide an escape from poverty.
D. The people of Malawi believe their standard of living can be improved through prayer.
Which of the following best explains why the author spends so much time in the library?
A. He and Gilbert go just because they enjoy pestering Mrs. Sikelo.
B. He enjoys reading and needs extra time to sort through the disorganized books.
C. It is the only public place in his region of Malawi that has adequate lighting and heating.
D. He has hopes of one day arranging all the books in the library alphabetically.
How mainly does the story of Syracuse and Archimedes add to the development of the story (paragraphs 12-13)?
“Imagine that hostile forces have invaded your town, and defeat seems certain. If you needed a hero to ‘save the day,’ it’s unlikely you would go to the nearest university and drag a scientist to the battlefront. Yet, according to legend, it was not a general who saved the Greek city of Syracuse when the Roman fleet attacked it in 214 b.c.”
It explained how Archimedes used his “Death Ray”—which was really a lot of mirrors—to reflect the sun onto the enemy ships until, one by one, they caught fire and sank. That was an example of how you can use the sun to produce energy.
A. It suggests that energy might be able to combat the hostile forces in Malawi the way it once did in Ancient Greece.
B. It inspires the author down a long road of consuming more and more classic stories from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome.
C. It gives the author an idea of how he might be able to defend his people against violent attacks.
D. It leads the author to see solar power as the key to turning things around in Malawi.
What does the line “No more skipping breakfast; no more dropping out of school” from the following passage mainly reveal (paragraph 20)?
No more skipping breakfast; no more dropping out of school. With a windmill, we’d finally release ourselves from the troubles of darkness and hunger. In Malawi, the wind was one of the few consistent things given to us by God, blowing in the treetops day and night. A windmill meant more than just power, it was freedom.
A. The author does not spend much time thinking about his future.
B. The author has a set way of living that he does not want to change.
C. The difficult conditions in Malawi have a major effect on the author’s day-to-day life.
D. Despite challenging conditions, the people of Malawi are highly optimistic.
Which of these inferences is best supported by the text?
A. The author was inclined toward engineering before he had ever heard of windmills.
B. Energy and science books never appealed to the author before because he thought they had no bearing on his life.
C. The author is frustrated that he did not learn about windmills earlier when they were more commonly used to generate power.
D. Mrs. Sikelo was trying to prevent the boys from learning about the power of windmills.
Which sentence from the text most strongly supports your answer to Question 5?
A. “All I needed was a windmill, and then I could have lights.”
B. “The English-Chichewa dictionaries were actually kept on the bottom shelf, but I never really spent much time looking down there.”
C. “People throughout Europe and the Middle East used windmills for pumping water and grinding grain.”
D. “We’d find old water bottles people threw away in the trading center, cut the plastic into blades like a fan, then put a nail through the center attached to a stick.”
What is most closely a central idea of the excerpt?
A. Discovering this book has the potential to radically alter the author’s life.
B. The author is mad at himself for not discovering this book sooner.
C. While the author found the windmill book interesting, he did not see much connection between it and the struggles in his life.
D. The people in Malawi did not see anything wrong with the conditions they were living in.
Which excerpt from the text most strongly supports the answer to Question 7?
A. “So I squatted down to grab one of the dictionaries, and when I did, I noticed a book I’d never seen, pushed into the shelf and slightly concealed.”
B. “A windmill meant more than just power, it was freedom.”
C. “That’s it, just a stupid pinwheel.”
D. “The cover featured a long row of windmills—though at the time I had no idea what a windmill was.”
What is a synonym for HOSTILE?
unfriendly
nice
awesome
great
What is a synonym for GENERATE?
stop
create
ugly
general
What is a synonym for DYNAMO?
outside
inside
big
generator
What is a synonym for MAIZE?
tortillas
corn
bread
shoes
What is a synonym for IRRIGATION?
drought
grass
field
watering
Order these events chronologically as they occur in the text:
1. Mrs. Sikelo hurries the boys to use the library quickly.
2. The author goes to the dictionary instead of Mrs. Sikelo since she is busy.
3. The author spots a book about windmills on a shelf he does not frequently look at.
4. The author discovers that wind can be harnessed for great power.
1. The author spots a book about windmills on a shelf he does not frequently look at.
2. The author discovers that wind can be harnessed for great power.
3. Mrs. Sikelo hurries the boys to use the library quickly.
4. The author goes to the dictionary instead of Mrs. Sikelo since she is busy.
1. The author discovers that wind can be harnessed for great power.
2. Mrs. Sikelo hurries the boys to use the library quickly.
3. The author goes to the dictionary instead of Mrs. Sikelo since she is busy.
4. The author spots a book about windmills on a shelf he does not frequently look at.
1. The author discovers that wind can be harnessed for great power.
2. Mrs. Sikelo hurries the boys to use the library quickly.
3. The author goes to the dictionary instead of Mrs. Sikelo since she is busy.
4. The author spots a book about windmills on a shelf he does not frequently look at.
What school was William attending in Chapter 3?
Santhe Primary
Kasimu Primary
Mkhota Primary
Wimbe Primary
What month did William say was harvest time in Malawi?
October
May
September
April
When did the first rains usually come to Malawi?
December
September
June
April
How many sacks of grain did William's family harvest in the year 2000?
15
10
8
5
What did Geoffrey and William like to eat when they cleared the fields in July?
goat meat
roasted grasshoppers
phala
roasted chicken
During which year did Malawi experience a flood followed by drought?
1999
2005
1887
2000
What game did William begin playing as he started to grow up?
Chigora Danda
Kudoda
Bawo
Tsoro Yematatu
How does deforestation affect ESCOM ability to produce electricity?
They have to use firewood to cook and bathe.
Without trees the flash floods carry soil, minerals and trash into the river which clog the turbines.
ESCOM uses the wood to power the turbines.
Deforestation does not affect the productions of electricity.
with control and authority
eloquent
prestigious
command
unblemished
using words well, in a way that others enjoy hearing
eloquent
gawking
rigorous
combersome
to stare at someone or something in awe
fused
prestigious
gawk
bored
strict and demanding
rigorous
combersome
eloquent
conquered
without damage or flaws
bored
eloquent
prestigious
unblemished
important; highly esteemed
prestigious
rigorous
eloquent
command
Where did this story take place? (setting)
Southern Sudan, Africa
Kenya, Africa
Malawi, Africa
Ethiopia, Africa
Is the story of the boy who harnessed the wind based on a true story?
yes
no
What is the main problem that the people of this village are facing?
shortage of food
hurricane season
forest fires
a civil war
Where does William learn about wind energy?
the school library
on television
from an elder in the village
from a summer camp he attended
What part does William need from his teacher's bike to create electricity?
the pedals
the handle bars
the spokes
the dynamo
How will William's creation help the people of the village.
the windmill will make the homes cooler at night for sleeping
the windmill will create new jobs for the people
the windmill will pump water to the crops in the dry season
What must William's father sacrifice in order for William to make the windmill work?
his money
his bicycle
his tools
his land
Choose the most correct description of famine.
extreme scarcity of food
a disease that affects humans and other mammals
a state of armed conflict between states
dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power
William's father heard on the radio there was flooding where?
Mozambique
Rawanda
South Africa
Egypt
What type of figurative language is this an example of?
What type of figurative language is William using?
What type of figurative language is used in the sentence above?
How old was William when he thought he was cursed because he ate stolen gumballs?
5
6
8
4
What did Uncle John die from?
Tuberculosis
Pneumonia
Malaria
Cancer
PROLOGUE: What machine did the boy make?
a bicycle
a windmill
a model truck
a tractor
PROLOGUE: What machine did the boy make?
a bicycle
a windmill
a model truck
a tractor
CHAPTER 1 (pg 8 - 11): Why was William afraid of the sing'anga?
He had said bad things about magic.
He had eaten some bubblegum.
He had not looked after the cows well.
He had disobeyed his father.
CHAPTER 1(pg 11 - 15): Which of the following is NOT mentioned as something a sing'anga was supposed to be able to do?
raise someone from the dead
shrink a woman so she could be kept in a coke bottle
make dust into gold
fly in a hat
CHAPTER 1 (pg 15 - 19): What was Gilbert's father's job?
witch doctor
truck driver
district chief
teacher
CHAPTER 1(pg 20 - 23): What did the boys make out shakeshake cartons, bottle caps and pieces of wire?
toy windmills
toy trucks
radios
toy dogs
CHAPTER 2 (pg 36 - 44): Which picture looks most like Khamba?
How did William educate himself while he was a 'dropout'?
he listened to science radio
he read books from the library at Wimbe Primary School
he watched PBS on the community television
his uncle tutored him in Physics
What book did William NOT read while on 'independent study'?
Biology of Man
Integrated Science
Explaining Physics
Using Energy
Why does William want to create a windmill?
so he can open his own horse racing business
because he loves birds
to become famous in America
to provide power and freedom to his people.
What did William and Geoffrey search for as an integral part of their creation?
a doctor's mask; they needed porous paper
a woman's shoe; they needed rubber
a plastic water bottle from America; they needed a certain type of plastic
a scalpel, they needed a tiny blade
What did they boys use their windmill to power as Chapter 9 ends?
William's father's radio
an old television
a Sony walkman
a flashlight
True or False? At the start of Chapter 10, William returns to school, only to find that he has to leave due to an unpaid tuition.
True
False
After William is forced to drop out of school, who does William's father consider a failure?
William
William's mother
himself
Chief Wimbe
In Chapter 10, what became Williams's education?
church
the scrapyard
a prestigious secondary school in the capital
the local bar
How does William finish the windmill?
He and Gilbert find the perfect part in the scrapyard, an old Chevy motor.
He and Gilbert buy a bicycle dynamo for 200 kwacha.
William digs up an old dynamo from the 1920's.
William makes a dynamo with a bunch of old cell phones.
Who is the biggest supporter of William?
his sister
his mother
his father
his teacher
Which quotation from chapter 2 best develops this central idea?
No one buys [dogs] as pets like they do in America, and they certainly don’t lavish them with rubber toys and fancy food (38).
“Let’s hunt,” I said. Khamba’s ears perked at the command and he followed me into the trees (42).
Khamba didn’t worry about bones at all, just swallowed his birds in one gulp and wagged his tail for more (43–44).
After that, I gave up trying to get rid of Khamba. In fact, I started to enjoy his company (39).
“In most other parts of Africa, dogs are used to protect homes and farms. No one buys them as pets like they do in America, and they certainly don’t lavish them with rubber toys and fancy food” (38).
Part A: Which best describes the meaning of the word lavish as it is used in the excerpt?
bathe
pamper
tease
scold
“In most other parts of Africa, dogs are used to protect homes and farms. No one buys them as pets like they do in America, and they certainly don’t lavish them with rubber toys and fancy food” (38).
Part B: Which word from the excerpt best helps the reader to understand the meaning of the word lavish?
protect
farms
pets
fancy
“Khamba didn’t worry about bones at all, just swallowed his birds in one quick gulp and wagged his tail for more. I started laughing. ‘When it comes to hunting, you’re very patient.’ I told him. ‘But when it’s time to eat, that’s another story!’” (44).
Which of the following is a method used by the writers in the excerpt to further develop our understanding of William?
description
example
dialogue
allusion
“Khamba didn’t worry about bones at all, just swallowed his birds in one quick gulp and wagged his tail for more. I started laughing. ‘When it comes to hunting, you’re very patient.’ I told him. ‘But when it’s time to eat, that’s another story!’” (44).
Which of the following is something the reader can infer about William’s character from the excerpt?
William has a sense of humor.
William doesn’t like how Khamba eats.
William is kind and patient.
William enjoys hunting.
Reread an excerpt from chapter 2 of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, starting on page 40 (“One morning after the rains . . .”) and ending on page 41 (“. . . waistband of my trousers”).
Which of the following is a method used by the writers in this excerpt to further develop our understanding of William?
anecdote
dialogue
examples
photographs
Reread an excerpt from chapter 2 of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, starting on page 40 (“One morning after the rains . . .”) and ending on page 41 (“. . . waistband of my trousers”).
Which of the following is something the reader can infer about William’s character from the excerpt?
He is resourceful and good at building tools.
He is faithful to his dog Khamba.
He is hard-working, spending long days hunting.
He is generous and will share the food he hunts with his family.
The thoughts of an individual that are not necessarily shared aloud with other individuals but that are shared with the reader
Inner Thoughts
Description
Dialogue
Anecdote
Specific and Vivid details told often with imagery; could be physical description of an individual or general description of an idea or concept.
Inner Thoughts
Description
Dialogue
Examples
The actual words spoken by an individual to another individual; written with quotation marks.
Inner Thoughts
Allusion
Dialogue
Anecdote
A short and interesting, sometimes funny, story.
Anecdote
Allusion
Description
Examples
"What materials did you use?"
"I used a bicycle frame, and a pulley, and a plastic pipe."
This TED Talk is an example of which method?
Inner Thoughts
Description
Dialogue
Anecdote
Let them, I thought. It was time (page 2).
This is an example of
Inner Thoughts
Description
Dialogue
Examples
So cracked and wrinkled that his hands and feet looked as if they were chiseled from stone (page 11).
This is an example of
Inner Thoughts
Description
Dialogue
Examples
I pleaded in silence: Don't let me down (page 3).
This is an example of
Description
Dialogue
Inner Thoughts
Allusion
During the hunger starvation some people dug up trees. Why?
To build fires for heat
To eat the roots and grass
To reach the fruit
To build barns
As people began to starve, some of the people's arms, legs and bellies got fat from....
kwashiorkor
Eating nsima
working too hard
tree rot
What did some men demand from William's father?
money
porridge
water
work
In the market the price of grain like.....
food
money
gold
a dream
"...Each group told a different story of the dead: There was the man who spent days looking for food, one man said." "One morning he decided to take a nap under a tree and never woke up." What author's method is used to describe the starvation?
example
anecdote
Description
allusion
How long had it been since William and Khamba had gone huntng?
Since the family's last meal
Since Christmas
A year
6 months
What did William use for bait?
worms
tree rot and grass
ash
gaga
What happened to Khamba?
they had to kill him for food
He fainted and never woke up after he and William went hunting
he starved to death
Charity hung him with a rope to put him out of his misery
Who came looking for Khamba
Charity and his friend Mizeck
Socrates
William
Gilbert
Where did William want to take Khambo
behind his room
To the trading center
To Chamama
To the dambo
William was excited for school. What was his school assignment
Kasungu
Science
Kachokolo
Chayamba
Why did William not want to go to the school he was assigned?
It was the worst in the district
it didn't have a science program
It only had a math program
It was too far from his home
William had scored a "B" in one subject....what was it?
Science
Kasunga
Chichewa
Reading
"Everywhere you went the land smelled rich and fragrant, but it was all a cruel joke, of course, because....?
The rains had flooded the land
nothing was ready to eat
The maize had not grown
The fertilizer was still atop the soil covering the maize
People started getting sick because the traders began mixing the gaga with.....
nsima
maize chaff
sawdust
fertilizer
What happened when Mrs. Kamkwamba set up her stand for the day?
People started rushing her and knocked over the stand
one man stole three cakes and ate them without paying
Two ladies began to fight about how many they wanted to buy
It started raining and the sun dried up all her goods. She earned nothing that day.
"....maybe you should eat faster." Why did Rose make this statement?
She wanted more and so she ate faster
She was mad at her sister for eating too slow
She started shouting at her mother to cook more
She had grabbed a big handful of nsima before anybody else
What did Doris do to Rose one night at dinner?
took her portion of nsima
punched her in the face
slapped her hand and made her put her portion back
ate all the nsima so no one else would get any
Who was "Mister W. M. Phiri"
The teacher
The accountant for the school
The school master
The principal
How many students remained at school after requirement of the fees?
2
5
20
10
What is the main character's name?
Gilbert
Chief Wimbe
Geoffrey
William Kamkwamba
Where does William live?
South Africa
Egypt
Morocco
Malawi
What was different about William's Dad? (pg. 15)
He did not work.
He was a businessman.
He loved and cared for his many sons.
He did not believe in magic, but believed in God.
William described Malawi as the "Warm Heart of Africa" to show
the personalities of and the relationships among the people there
that it is in the center of Africa
that it supplies most of the food for Africa
that it is where the government is
In the prologue, how did people view William and his invention?
They thought he was crazy and made fun of him.
They admired his efforts.
They were afraid of the invention.
They expected his invention to work.
Why do many children die of something as simple as diarrhea?
Their parents don't care about them.
They eat rotten food.
The people rely on magic to cure them, when they need antibiotics and fluids.
CHAPTER 1 (pg 4 - 8): What did a sing'anga use to pretend to find the cause of diarrhea?
CHAPTER 1 (pg 8 - 11): Why was William afraid of the sing'anga?
He had said bad things about magic.
He had eaten some bubblegum.
He had not looked after the cows well.
He had disobeyed his father.
CHAPTER 1(pg 11 - 15): Which of the following is NOT mentioned as something a sing'anga was supposed to be able to do?
raise someone from the dead
shrink a woman so she could be kept in a coke bottle
make dust into gold
fly in a hat
CHAPTER 1 (pg 15 - 19): What was Gilbert's father's job?
witch doctor
truck driver
district chief
teacher
CHAPTER 1(pg 20 - 23): What did the boys make out shakeshake cartons, bottle caps and pieces of wire?
toy windmills
toy trucks
radios
toy dogs
CHAPTER 1 (pg 24 - 27): Who was unafraid of mamba snakes and was so strong he could pull up trees like weeds?
Grandpa
Geoffrey
Peter Kayira
Phiri
CHAPTER 1 (pg 28 - 35) True or False; Shabari taught William that magic doesn't work?
true
false
PROLOGUE: What machine did the boy make?
a bicycle
a windmill
a model truck
a tractor
How old was William when his Uncle John died?
6
8
13
9
What did Uncle John die from?
Tuberculosis
Pneumonia
Malaria
Cancer
According to page 55, why was kerosene a bad choice for fuel?
Kerosene was very expensive.
Kerosene was heavy to carry from the market.
Kerosene produces black smoke that makes people sick and it can easily cause fires.
The government controlled the production of kerosene.
Why did William's classmate Angela disappear from school?
She fell into the toilet and had to wait hours for rescue.
She was bit by a poisonous snake.
She had to leave the village to find work to help support her family.
She earned a scholarship to attend a school in another village.
What was different about school in Malawi?
Secondary (middle) school was not free.
In order to advance past elementary, students had to study and pass tests.
Students did not have their own lesson books, and they usually did not have supplies like paper or chalk.
All of these are correct.
What time did William's family usually go to sleep?
9 p.m.
Seven p.m.
Whenever it was dark outside
Midnight
What is the name of William's favorite band, and what type of music do they play?
Dancing Snakes, hip hop
Rolling Stones, rock
Black Missionaries, reggae
Super Friends, R&B.
What is the main characters name?
Bryan
William
Will
Khamba
What is the dogs name?
Will
Kumba
Khamba
Nomads
Where does the main character live?
USA
Virginia
Mamui
Malawi
Did Uncle Jhon die when William was a kid?
No
Maybe
Don't know
Yes
What is Williams last name?
Khamba
Kumba
Kalaku
Kamkwamba
William lived in Malawi (a)
Who is Williams cousin?
Khamba
Jhon
Charity
James
Did William end up resuming his studies?
Maybe
Don't know
YES
No
Why was William forced to drop out of school?
Because his Father needed help at the farm
Because he did not know anything
Because there was a limit to how many people could attend the school
Lack of money
Where did William first come up with his big idea?
At school
At the library
At home
At the dinner table
What was Williams "Big Idea"?
Harness the wind
Make an attraction
Make a windmill
Make something that will draw attention to his family
What is the name of Williams school? (That he was admitted to, middle school)
Kacho
Khamba
Kachokolo
Kanticolo
What was the name of Williams first school?
Kachokolo
Wimbe
Wimbay
Khamba
What was ESCOM?
Provided food
Provided electricity
Provided clothes
Provided money
What was a very popular food in Malawi?
Ful Medames
Roast chicken
Nsima
Nsmao
What do you think William was feeling when he got kicked out of school?
Why do you think that Williams Father cared a lot about his education?
Why was the maize field so important to them?
Why did William not buy the elctricity instead of making it himself?
After reading the book, why do you think that the title of the book is called "The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind"?
flat rings used with a nut and bolt
hail
ghastly
welded
washers
Tight; tense
level
spewed
abounded
taut
hail
sickness
come from
flat, even
found in large numbers
joined metal by using heat and melting the materials together
welded
spewed
abounded
washers
Ailment: sickness
True
False
Ghastly: shot out, expelled, erupted
True
False
found in large numbers
hail
ghastly
abounded
level
Level
flat, even
tight; tense
come from
sickness
Shot out, expelled, erupted
ghastly
spewed
ailment
abounded
What is a vat?
badly damaged
a large barrel or tub
flat, even
come from
Having no mercy; cruel
Ruthless
Welded
Spewed
Ghastly
Mangled: badly damaged
True
False
What country in Africa does the story take place?
Zambia
Tanzania
Malawi
Zimbabwe
What did William dream about?
Farming
Building things and taking them apart
Playing with his friends
Becoming a soccer player
What happened to William's family because of the drought? (Drought means a long period of time without rain)
They did not have food
They only ate once a day
Only the children ate
Only the grown up ate
What was William forced to do because his parents did not have money?
Sell his clothes
Work in the fields
Drop out of school
After William saw lucky students going to school, what did he suddenly remember?
There was a library nearby
His dad told him to work
There was a farm at the school
After visiting the library and reading books, what sentence did William build?
"Reading is fundamental."
"Learning is fun."
"Windmills can produce electricity and pump water."
"I have a dream."
The windmill was more than a machine. It was a _________________________ .
"...magical invention."
"...cool and interesting idea."
"...weapon to fight hunger."
Many of the village people called William, "misala." What does misala mean?"
Intelligent
Crazy
Silly
What did William say after he lit a light bulb?
"I know magic."
"I have made electric wind."
"I did it?"
PROLOGUE: What machine did the boy make?
a bicycle
a windmill
a model truck
a tractor
"Where others see garbage, I see opportunity."
What does William mean when he says the quote ?
People should recycle.
He knew everyday materials could be used to make things that were useful and could benefit their situation.
He knew nothing could be done to benefit their situation.
Collecting garbage is a job opportunity.
Why do you think that Williams Father cared a lot about his education?
What is one problem William encounters, after inventing the windmill, that he uses curiosity and ingenuity (skill or cleverness) to solve?
What does William’s windmill allow him to have that he didn’t before? How does life change for him and his family?
The movie The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is based on a true story.
True
False
What year is it at the beginning of the movie?
1990
2000
2001
2010
In what country does the story take place?
Rawanda
South Africa
Malawi
Zimbabwe
The people have trouble growing crops because of flooding caused by too much rain.
True
False
What does William fix for his father at the beginning of the movie?
a TV
a radio
stereo system
automobile
Early on, William is working on fixing something for Mr. Bamusi, but has not yet completed it when his father asks about it. What is it?
a cassette player
a TV
a bike
an iPhone
There is a famine in the country at the time the story takes place.
True
False
Choose the most correct description of famine.
extreme scarcity of food
a disease that affects humans and other mammals
a state of armed conflict between states
dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power
Who/what interrupted John's funeral?
government army forces
people dancing in traditional costumes
a dust devil
a riot of angry farmers
PROLOGUE: What machine did the boy make?
a bicycle
a windmill
a model truck
a tractor
PROLOGUE: What was the first thing the boy used the electricity to do?
CHAPTER 1 (pg 4 - 8): What did a sing'anga use to pretend to find the cause of diarrhea?
CHAPTER 1 (pg 8 - 11): Why was William afraid of the sing'anga?
He had said bad things about magic.
He had eaten some bubblegum.
He had not looked after the cows well.
He had disobeyed his father.
CHAPTER 1(pg 11 - 15): Which of the following is NOT mentioned as something a sing'anga was supposed to be able to do?
raise someone from the dead
shrink a woman so she could be kept in a coke bottle
make dust into gold
fly in a hat
CHAPTER 1 (pg 15 - 19): What was Gilbert's father's job?
witch doctor
truck driver
district chief
teacher
CHAPTER 1(pg 20 - 23): What did the boys make out shakeshake cartons, bottle caps and pieces of wire?
toy windmills
toy trucks
radios
toy dogs
CHAPTER 1 (pg 24 - 27): Who was unafraid of mamba snakes and was so strong he could pull up trees like weeds?
Grandpa
Geoffrey
Peter Kayira
Phiri
CHAPTER 1 (pg 28 - 35) True or False; Shabari taught William that magic doesn't work?
true
false
CHAPTER 2 (pg 36 - 44): Which picture looks most like Khamba?
CHAPTER 3: How did William and Gilbert begin to explore science?
the listened to radio programmes about science
the took radios apart to see how they worked
they read books about science
the asked a sing'anga
CHAPTER 3: Where did the electricity in Malawi come from?
generated from turbines in a river
coal fired power stations
from wind power
from batteries
CHAPTER 4: Which of the following did NOT contribute to the low maize harvest in 2000?
grasshoppers eating the crop
expensive fertilizer
flooding
drought
CHAPTER 5 (pg 69 - 74) What did people eat as Malawi ran out of maize?
gaga (the outside parts of the maize - used for bird food)
green mangoes
the family goats
gaga, green mangoes & family goats
CHAPTER 5 (pg 74 - 83): What meal did the Kampkwamba family decide they would still eat each day?
only breakfast
only lunch
only dinner
all of them
CHAPTER 5 (pg 83 - 88): How much food did William get at Chamama?
enough for three days
enough for one week
enough for a month
enough for 2 months
CHAPTER 5 (pg 89 - 98): What did William NOT eat during the famine?
flying ants
nsima
goat skin
his pet dog Khamba
PROLOGUE: What was the first thing the boy used the electricity to do?
CHAPTER 12 (pg 208 - 212): What did William need to build so he could charge people's phones?
a computer
a power station
a step up transformer
a shop
CHAPTER 12 (pg 212 - 218): What animal nearly makes the roof fall down?
CHAPTER 12 (pg 218 - 225): Why did William need a rubber belt for his windmill?
Because rubber is cheaper than metal.
Because it looked nicer.
Because the bicycle chain kept breaking.
Because he wanted to save the environment.
CHAPTER 13 (pg 226 - 233): Which of William's projects failed?
charging phones
making a radio station
pumping water
all of them
CHAPTER 13 (pg 233 - 241): Why does William worry that the villagers will try to destroy his windmill?
Because they believe it is magic and has blown away the rain clouds.
Because it is too noisy and made of rubbish and looks terrible.
Because the electricity company (ESCOM) has paid them to destroy it.
CHAPTER 14 (pg 242 - 248): What did Dr Mchazime think was the most important thing for children to have?
electricity
maize
x-boxes
education
CHAPTER 13 (pg 248 - 252): What do the letters TED stand for?
Time, Education, Direction
Technology, Entertainment, Design
Teaching, Educating, Deserving
Trees, Eggs, Dogs
CHAPTER 13 (pg 252 - 259): True or False? The black trousers and white shirt were the nicest clothes William had ever owned.
true
false
CHAPTER 15 (pg 260 - 267): What impressed William the most at the TED conference?
CHAPTER 15 (pg 267 - 274): At ABCCA which two letters did William learn not to mix up?
A & B
L & R
M & N
X & Z
CHAPTER 15 (pg 273 - 274): What did William NOT do with the money donated at TED?
buy mattresses for his sisters
pay for Gilbert to go back to school
drill a bore hole for water
pay for a better windmill
CHAPTER 15 (pg 275 - 278): What did William see for the first time in America?
windmills
television
giraffes, hippos & elephants
coffee
EPILOGUE: What language did William learn at the African Leadership Academy?
Swahili
Shona
some Arabic
All of the them
EPILOGUE (pg 282 - 284): What did many kids tell William was the reason they enjoyed "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind"?
They didn't enjoy it. They only read it because it was a school reading book.
It had good pictures and the story about nearly starving was interesting.
It made science seem cool.
It wasn't as long as the other books in the library.
EPILOGUE (pg 290): What is William's message to kids all over the world?
Your ambitions are important and worth achieving, however big or small.
the world is like an apple whirling silently in space
Like the circles that you find in the windmills of your mind
Windmills are big fans of renewable energy.
Don't blow your chances.
What type of figurative language is used in the sentence above?
