Plot
What causes the famine in William’s village?
Severe drought and floods that causes crops to fail.
What subjects interest William the most?
Science and technology.
What crop is most important to feeding the village?
Maize (corn)
What invention does William build?
Windmill and/or water pump.
One big idea in the book is that learning can help solve problems.
A. Learning is not important
B. Knowledge can help people create solutions
C. Only adults can solve problems
D. Books are boring
B
Knowledge can help people create solutions
Innovation
What country does William live in?
Malawi
What hobby does William have that shows his curiosity about machines?
He takes apart radios and electronics to see how they work.
What happens to the people in the village during the famine?
Families begin starving and food becomes extremely scarce.
Where does William find many parts for his windmill?
A junkyard
William keeps trying to build the windmill even when people doubt him.
A. Luck
B. Perseverance (not giving up)
C. Laziness
D. Competition
Correct Answer: B. Perseverance
Why does William have to stop going to school?
His family cannot afford the school fees.
How do many villagers react when they see William building his windmill?
People in the village think he is crazy.
What region/district of Malawi does William live in?
Kasungu
What device helps produce electricity in William’s windmill?
A bicycle dynamo (Generator)
William learns how to build the windmill by reading books at the library.
A. Education can lead to new ideas
B. Libraries are only for teachers
C. Machines build themselves
D. Reading is not useful
A. Education can lead to new ideas
Where does William find the book that inspires him to build the windmill?
The village library.
Who begins to support William after first doubting him?
His father eventually helps him and supports the project.
What environmental problem makes the drought even worse?
Many people cut down trees to sell firewood.
What does William’s windmill provide for his home?
It powers lights and helps charge batteries.
William uses scrap materials and creative thinking to build something helpful.
A. Hard work is never worth it
B. Creativity and problem solving can change lives
C. Machines are dangerous
D. Children should not invent things
B. Creativity and problem solving can change lives
What is the name of the book William reads that teaches him about windmills and electricity?
Using Energy
What character trait helps William succeed despite challenges?
Persistence and believing in his ideas.
Why is drought so devastating to the village?
Farmers depend heavily on rain for their crops.
What important farming problem does the windmill help solve?
It can help pump water for irrigation.
William’s windmill helps bring electricity and hope to his community.
A. One person’s idea can help many people
B. Technology is always bad
C. Villages cannot change
D. Children should ignore problems
A. One person’s idea can help many people