The Invention of the Cotton Gin — Questions and answers
Read the full story
How does Eli Whitney's contraption separate seeds from cotton, according to his explanation?
Choices
- A. By using a system of hooks and a brush. ✓
- B. By blowing air through the cotton.
- C. By heating the cotton to melt the seeds.
- D. By hand-cranking a large wheel.
Answer: A. By using a system of hooks and a brush.
From page 7
What negative effect did Amadi learn that the Cotton Gin had by 1860?
Choices
- A. It made cotton harder to grow.
- B. It increased demand and thus increased slavery. ✓
- C. It caused the price of cotton to drop significantly.
- D. It made the cotton less fluffy.
Answer: B. It increased demand and thus increased slavery.
From page 8
After returning to his tent, what important lesson did Amadi learn about inventions like the Cotton Gin?
Choices
- A. Inventions are always good and have no bad effects.
- B. It's important to consider all potential bad effects. ✓
- C. Only complicated inventions have problems.
- D. He only learned about the good parts of the Cotton Gin.
Answer: B. It's important to consider all potential bad effects.
From page 9
According to Rohan, how much cotton can modern automated cotton gins process per hour?
Choices
- A. 50 pounds of cotton.
- B. One pound of cotton.
- C. Up to 15 bales of cotton. ✓
- D. 2.2 billion pounds of cotton.
Answer: C. Up to 15 bales of cotton.
From page 10