Vocabulary
1. What does the word inoculate mean as used in the text?
Dr. Reed and his team discussed whether they should inoculate volunteers during their experiments.
A. To carefully observe someone
B. To infect someone on purpose in order to study a disease
C. To measure someone’s temperature
D. To protect someone from harm
B. To infect someone on purpose in order to study a disease
Which detail best shows that Reed’s team used organized scientific methods?
A. They arrived in Cuba to study the disease.
B. They interviewed patients across the island.
C. They kept daily journals recording tests and results.
D. They were determined to find answers quickly.
C. They kept daily journals recording tests and results.
What event caused the researchers to question their original belief about yellow fever?
A. They ran out of supplies to clean.
B. Their cleaning efforts did not reduce cases of the disease.
C. Finlay asked them to stop cleaning.
D. Volunteers complained about the tests.
B. Their cleaning efforts did not reduce cases of the disease.
Which claim did many people believe before scientific testing was done?
A. Yellow fever spread through water sources.
B. Clothing from sick patients could spread yellow fever.
C. Mosquitoes avoided clothing and blankets.
D. Doctors knew exactly how yellow fever spread.
B. Clothing from sick patients could spread yellow fever.
Why did Dr. Finlay struggle to convince other doctors that mosquitoes spread yellow fever?
A. His experiments were too dangerous.
B. Other doctors thought his ideas lacked solid evidence.
C. He refused to share his notes.
D. He was new to medical research.
B. Other doctors thought his ideas lacked solid evidence.
2. In the book, what is the best meaning of the word transmission?
Scientists debated the transmission of yellow fever for many years.
A. The method by which a disease spreads
B. The speed at which someone travels
C. A written message sent between doctors
D. A collection of scientific equipment
A. The method by which a disease spreads
What evidence from the passage shows that Reed’s team paid close attention to detail?
A. They observed living conditions in multiple areas.
B. They ignored ideas that seemed unlikely.
C. They reviewed earlier research out of curiosity.
D. They described every test and outcome in journals.
D. They described every test and outcome in journals.
How did the researchers’ actions develop the sequence of events in the investigation?
A. Their early success with cleaning caused them to avoid new ideas.
B. Their failure to stop the disease led them to explore Finlay’s mosquito theory.
C. Their interest in clothing made them ignore Finlay’s work.
D. Their experiments remained the same throughout the study.
B. Their failure to stop the disease led them to explore Finlay’s mosquito theory.
Why is the clothing-contact claim considered weak?
A. It relied on stories rather than scientific experiments.
B. Clothing was difficult to wash properly.
C. Many families were already sick for other reasons.
D. People preferred to blame something familiar.
A. It relied on stories rather than scientific experiments.
What major challenge did the U.S. Army Commission face when they first arrived in Cuba?
A. They lacked volunteers for their experiments.
B. They could not find enough mosquitoes to study.
C. Yellow fever cases were decreasing rapidly.
D. They had no access to Finlay’s notes.
A. They lacked volunteers for their experiments.
3. What does the word controversial mean as it is used in the text?
Finlay’s mosquito theory was considered controversial for decades.
A. Easily understood by everyone
B. Supported by most people
C. Causing disagreement or debate
D. Proven without any doubt
C. Causing disagreement or debate
Which detail best supports the idea that the team used evidence to guide their investigation?
A. They focused only on ideas that could be proven.
B. They talked to many people in Cuba.
C. They traveled between several towns.
D. They hoped to discover a new method.
A. They focused only on ideas that could be proven.
What turning point changed how the researchers viewed the cause of yellow fever?
A. The arrival of new doctors.
B. The discovery of new cleaning supplies.
C. Their review of Finlay’s notes on mosquitoes.
D. A sudden drop in yellow fever cases.
C. Their review of Finlay’s notes on mosquitoes.
What counterclaim challenged the idea that clothing spread yellow fever?
A. Yellow fever only spread during cold weather.
B. Mosquito bites, not clothing, were responsible for the disease.
C. Clothing caused the disease to spread more quickly.
D. Washing clothes prevented all illnesses.
B. Mosquito bites, not clothing, were responsible for the disease.
3. Which action shows that the Commission was committed to using scientific methods?
A. They traveled across Cuba giving speeches.
B. They tested ideas using controlled experiments with volunteers.
C. They asked only local residents for opinions.
D. They focused on treating sick patients instead of researching.
B. They tested ideas using controlled experiments with volunteers.
4. What does hypothesis mean in the context of the experiments?
Finlay formed a hypothesis about how the disease spread before he had proof.
A. A guess based on no information
B. A scientific explanation that can be tested
C. A rule that everyone must follow
D. A conclusion made after an experiment
B. A scientific explanation that can be tested
Which sentence from the passage shows how the team identified patterns?
A. “They reviewed earlier research.”
B. “Their careful documentation helped them identify patterns.”
C. “They interviewed patients carefully.”
D. “They were determined to understand the disease.”
B. “Their careful documentation helped them identify patterns.”
How did the shift from cleaning to experimenting with mosquitoes impact the investigation?
A. It allowed them to repeat earlier mistakes.
B. It gave them a new idea to test using controlled experiments.
C. It caused them to stop looking for evidence.
D. It made their research more confusing.
B. It gave them a new idea to test using controlled experiments.
Why is the mosquito counterclaim stronger than the clothing claim?
A. It was easier for people to accept emotionally.
B. It matched common beliefs from other countries.
C. It was supported by controlled experiments and reliable results.
D. It was written in a well-known journal.
C. It was supported by controlled experiments and reliable results.
4. Why was the idea that “bad air” caused yellow fever eventually rejected?
A. It caused people to become even sicker.
B. It relied on opinions rather than scientific evidence.
C. It was a belief only held by Cuban soldiers.
D. It contradicted Finlay’s personal experiences.
B. It relied on opinions rather than scientific evidence.
5. What is the meaning of quarantine as used in the book?
Some patients were placed in quarantine to prevent others from becoming sick.
A. A special room used for experiments
B. A location where patients were kept alone to stop the spread of disease
C. A place where doctors stored equipment
D. A meeting area for the research team
B. A location where patients were kept alone to stop the spread of disease
What is the BEST summary of Reed’s research approach?
A. He guessed possible causes based on patient stories.
B. He recorded every test carefully and used evidence to narrow possibilities.
C. He relied mainly on interviews rather than testing.
D. He avoided ideas that other scientists had already studied.
B. He recorded every test carefully and used evidence to narrow possibilities.
Which statement BEST describes how the events in the passage build on one another?
A. Failed cleaning efforts led the researchers to consider and test a new theory.
B. Reviewing mosquito notes made them return to cleaning.
C. Successful early tests made them confident in their first idea.
D. Their original theory matched their final findings.
A. Failed cleaning efforts led the researchers to consider and test a new theory.
Which statement explains why the clothing claim was eventually rejected?
A. Clothing styles changed over time.
B. It made people feel nervous.
C. Experiments showed no one became sick from handling infected clothing.
D. Doctors preferred simpler explanations.
C. Experiments showed no one became sick from handling infected clothing.
5. Which statement BEST explains the importance of the mosquito experiments?
A. They stopped people from traveling to Cuba.
B. They provided proof that supported Finlay’s long-ignored theory.
C. They showed that yellow fever was caused by weather changes.
D. They convinced people that clothing could spread disease.
B. They provided proof that supported Finlay’s long-ignored theory.