James Watt — Questions and answers
Read the full story
What was a big improvement of James Watt's perfected steam engine shown in 1776?
Choices
- A) It was made of glass.
- B) It could fly to the moon.
- C) It used much less fuel than older engines. ✓
- D) It was painted bright yellow.
Answer: C) It used much less fuel than older engines.
From page 1
Where did young James Watt mostly learn about building and fixing things?
Choices
- A) At a big university.
- B) In his father's workshops. ✓
- C) From playing in the forest.
- D) By traveling the world.
Answer: B) In his father's workshops.
From page 2
What kind of engine did James Watt need to fix when he worked at the University of Glasgow?
Choices
- A) A brand new, perfect engine.
- B) A small model of a Newcomen engine. ✓
- C) A very quiet, efficient engine.
- D) An engine that was easy to repair.
Answer: B) A small model of a Newcomen engine.
From page 3
What was James Watt's brilliant idea to solve the problem of the Newcomen engine?
Choices
- A) To make the engine much smaller.
- B) To paint the engine a different color.
- C) To condense steam in a separate container. ✓
- D) To make the engine out of glass.
Answer: C) To condense steam in a separate container.
From page 4
What was a major challenge for James Watt when he first tried to build his separate condenser engine?
Choices
- A) He couldn't find any wood.
- B) It was difficult to make perfectly round cylinders. ✓
- C) The weather was always too cold.
- D) He didn't have enough paper for his drawings.
Answer: B) It was difficult to make perfectly round cylinders.
From page 5
Who stepped in to help James Watt's invention after his first partner faced financial trouble?
Choices
- A) A famous painter.
- B) Matthew Boulton. ✓
- C) A ship's captain.
- D) The King of England.
Answer: B) Matthew Boulton.
From page 6
Who was the "Iron King" who helped make the perfectly round cylinders for Watt's engine?
Choices
- A) Matthew Boulton.
- B) John Wilkinson. ✓
- C) John Roebuck.
- D) A mystery inventor.
Answer: B) John Wilkinson.
From page 7
Where were the Boulton & Watt engines mostly used first after they were perfected?
Choices
- A) To help ships sail faster.
- B) In mines to pump out water. ✓
- C) To bake bread in ovens.
- D) For making music louder.
Answer: B) In mines to pump out water.
From page 8
What special kind of engine did James Watt develop that could make machines move in a circle?
Choices
- A) The jumping engine.
- B) The rotative engine. ✓
- C) The singing engine.
- D) The sleeping engine.
Answer: B) The rotative engine.
From page 9
What unit of power, used all over the world, was named after James Watt?
Choices
- A) The 'Speedy'.
- B) The 'Engine'.
- C) The 'Watt'. ✓
- D) The 'Powerup'.
Answer: C) The 'Watt'.
From page 10