Natural Inspiration
The photographs in the article help the reader understand the-
A. reason nylon is superior to cotton for making Velcro
B. similarity between man-made Velcro and naturally occurring burrs
C. difficulty Mestral had creating his design for Velcro
D. reason Mestral thought Velcro would be a useful invention
B. similarity between man-made Velcro and naturally occurring burrs
Because...by including the three photographs readers can see the features that burrs and velcro share.
The photograph after paragraph 3 is included in the selection to —
A. show the process of how fog turns into water
B. allow the reader to envision the size of the Namib beetle
C. help the reader visualize how the Namib beetle collects water
D. demonstrate how much water is needed by desert insects
C. help the reader visualize how the Namib beetle collects water
Because...By looking at the photograph of a drop of water at the mouth of a Namib beetle, the reader can visualize the way the beetle positions its body in order to collect water
What is one way that Velcro and the water-collection panels are similar?
A. The creators of both inventions experimented with different materials.
B. The inventions were both inspired by the same environment.
C. The models for both inventions were discovered in unexpected sources.
D. The inventions received the same amount of support in the beginning.
C. The models for both inventions were discovered in unexpected sources.
Because...The author of the article explains that Mestral found inspiration from burrs stuck to his dog’s fur, while the author of the selection explains that the Namib beetle’s unique design inspired scientists
One challenge that Mestral encountered while inventing Velcro was finding —
A. different uses for Velcro
B. a country willing to approve a patent for Velcro
C. a way to make a profit by selling Velcro
D. a manufacturer that would produce Velcro
D. a manufacturer that would produce Velcro
Because...the reader can conclude that Mestral faced the challenge of finding a manufacturer that would produce Velcro as “companies were not interested” in his product, and he experienced “several rejections.”
The author focuses on a unique feature of the Namib beetle in order to highlight how the beetle —
A. could serve as a source of water for desert travelers
B. struggles to survive in a dry part of the world
C. uses its wings to stay cool in an arid environment
D. is able to provide itself with water in the absence of rain
D. is able to provide itself with water in the absence of rain
Because...The author focuses on the Namib beetle’s unique ability to collect water from fog, specifically in paragraph 3 where the author explains that the beetle is able to provide itself with water in the absence of rain.
Which idea is presented in both the article and the selection?
A. Simple inventions can provide for basic necessities.
B. Inventors can find ideas by carefully observing nature.
C. Selecting the appropriate materials for an invention can be challenging.
D. Inventions have the greatest chance of success when large companies manufacture them.
B. Inventors can find ideas by carefully observing nature.
Because...Mestral was inspired to create Velcro after observing naturally occurring burrs stuck to his dog’s fur, and scientists got the idea for water-collection panels from the body of the desert-dwelling Namib beetle.
The reader can conclude from the details in paragraph 4 that Mestral —
A. was determined to make his idea for Velcro a reality
B. did not receive the product rights for Velcro
C. was denied help because companies had difficulty manufacturing Velcro
D. wanted Velcro to be known as the world’s best fastened
A. was determined to make his idea for Velcro a reality
Because...The reader can conclude that Mestral was determined to make his idea for Velcro a reality based on the information in paragraph 4 that he persevered despite the nearly 10 years of development and early rejections.
When fog rolls into the desert, the Namib beetle —
A. releases a waxy substance that covers its back
B. positions its body in a specific way
C. creates bumps and troughs on its wings
D. opens its mouth to drink the water in the air
B. positions its body in a specific way
Because...The author describes in paragraph 3 how the Namib beetle “positions its body at a 45-degree angle to the wind” to help it to collect water on its back when fog rolls into the desert.
How did the development of Velcro differ from the development of the water-collection panels?
A. The water-collection panels took years to create, while Velcro was created in a short period of time.
B. The design of the water-collection panels has changed many times, while the design of Velcro has changed very little.
C. The water-collection panels are intended to solve a specific problem, while Velcro is designed to be applied in many different situations.
C. The water-collection panels are intended to solve a specific problem, while Velcro is designed to be applied in many different situations.
Because...The author of the article explains that Velcro was developed to be used in many situations. This differs from the development of the water-collection panels in the selection, which are meant to solve a specific problem: the scarcity of water on Earth.
Which two details should be included in a summary of the article?
A. A curious man, George de Mestral noticed one day that burrs were stuck to his dog’s fur.
B. Mestral overcame many obstacles as he worked to produce Velcro.
C. George de Mestral was the engineer who invented Velcro, a type of hook-and-loop fastener modeled after burrs Mestral found stuck to his dog’s fur
D. Velcro began to sell very well and became known as the “zipperless zipper.”
B & C
Because...detail B mentions the challenges Mestral faced while making Velcro, and detail C mentions the author's name and where he drew inspiration from to create Velcro.
The author wrote this selection most likely to —
A. prove that water can be obtained from moist air
B. explain how an animal has adapted to living in a hostile environment
C. show how people can apply designs from nature to create solutions to global problems
D. emphasize that water is a scarce resource in many areas on Earth
C. show how people can apply designs from nature to create solutions to global problems
Because...to show how designs from nature can create solutions to global problems, such as gathering and storing water. The author focuses on the Namib beetle’s unique design and explains how scientists are using this design as inspiration to create their own water-collection products.
What is one outcome of Mestral’s invention in “Natural Inspiration” that is not shared by the scientists’ invention in “A Brilliant Beetle”?
A. Mestral’s invention has proved to be financially successful.
B. Mestral’s invention is able to replenish something found in nature.
C. Mestral’s invention can be used to solve more than one problem.
D. Mestral’s invention inspired new uses beyond its original purpose.
A. Mestral’s invention has proved to be financially successful.
Because...The author of “Natural Inspiration” states that Mestral’s invention has been a great financial success, whereas the author of “A Brilliant Beetle” does not indicate whether the scientists’ water-collection panels have proved to be financially successful.