How the Steam Engine Changed Everything — Questions and answers

Read the full story

What happened when Tara opened the Invention Encyclopedia?

Choices

  1. She found a new potion recipe.
  2. Her room became very messy.
  3. A swirling vortex of light engulfed the room. ✓
  4. The book started talking to her.

Answer: A swirling vortex of light engulfed the room.

From page 3

What was the city square like when Tara and Tao arrived?

Choices

  1. Quiet and peaceful with clean air.
  2. Bustling and sooty with black smoke. ✓
  3. Filled with colorful gardens and flowers.
  4. Empty with no people or carts.

Answer: Bustling and sooty with black smoke.

From page 4

Who introduced himself to Tara and Tao in the city?

Choices

  1. The man in the top hat.
  2. James Watt. ✓
  3. Grandma Nikhil.
  4. A factory worker.

Answer: James Watt.

From page 5

According to James Watt, what did people rely on before the steam engine to do work?

Choices

  1. Electricity and robots.
  2. Muscle power from people, animals, and water wheels. ✓
  3. Windmills and solar energy.
  4. Magic spells and enchanted tools.

Answer: Muscle power from people, animals, and water wheels.

From page 6

What did James Watt say was a result of his hard work on the steam engine?

Choices

  1. He became rich overnight.
  2. Factories could produce goods faster and trains could travel farther. ✓
  3. He stopped experimenting with new inventions.
  4. Thomas Edison came to help him.

Answer: Factories could produce goods faster and trains could travel farther.

From page 7

Besides helping people travel faster, how else did the steam engine help communication?

Choices

  1. It created new types of message bugs.
  2. It allowed people to talk through pipes.
  3. It powered printing presses, spreading news and ideas faster. ✓
  4. It sent smoke signals across cities.

Answer: It powered printing presses, spreading news and ideas faster.

From page 8

What did Tara exclaim about the steam engine after returning to her room?

Choices

  1. "The steam engine was too noisy!"
  2. "The steam engine changed EVERYTHING!" ✓
  3. "The steam engine was hard to understand!"
  4. "The steam engine made her tired!"

Answer: "The steam engine changed EVERYTHING!"

From page 9

What did Tara tell Grandma Nikhil about the steam engine's impact?

Choices

  1. It made factories produce less goods.
  2. It stopped bug deliveries completely.
  3. It helped spread news and ideas, leading to fast bug deliveries. ✓
  4. It only made trains travel faster, nothing else.

Answer: It helped spread news and ideas, leading to fast bug deliveries.

From page 10