Context Clues 1
Vocabulary
Story Questions
Story Questions
Inferencing
100

What does the term "switching stations" mean in the context of the story?

Switching stations refer to facilities that enable one telephone line to reach multiple destinations, improving communication efficiency.

100

Find a synonym for "transmit" in the context of the telegraph transmitting messages through coded clicks.

convey, send

100

Who invented the telephone, and what challenges did he face during the process?

Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. He faced several challenges and failed attempts before successfully making it work.

100

How did the telegraph transmit messages, and what was the limitation compared to the telephone?

The telegraph transmitted messages through a coded system of clicks. The limitation was that it did not allow direct verbal communication; it used a code to send messages.

100

Why do you think messengers were running long distances to deliver messages before the invention of the telegraph and telephone?

 Messengers were likely running long distances because there were no faster means of communication at the time, and physical delivery was the only option for sending messages quickly.

200

Explain the term "land-lines" as used in the story.

"Land-lines" in the story refers to the initial telephone lines that directly connected one person's phone to another, usually with physical wires.

200

What is the antonym of "manual" when describing the initial process of listening and noting telegraph clicks?

automated, mechanized

200

What were the messengers in the early days, and how did they deliver messages?

Messengers were people who would run from place to place to deliver messages. They physically carried written messages over long distances.

200

What were land-lines, and why were switching stations introduced in the telephone system?

Land-lines were the initial telephone lines connecting one person's phone to another. Switching stations were introduced to allow one line to reach multiple destinations, improving communication efficiency.

200

Based on the information provided, why did Alexander Graham Bell face challenges and fail multiple times in his attempts to invent the telephone?

It can be inferred that the challenges Bell faced were likely due to the complexity of developing a machine that could successfully transmit and receive voice communication, a novel idea at the time.

300

What does the phrase "download music from the Internet" imply about the capabilities of modern cell phones?

The phrase suggests that modern cell phones have the capability to access and retrieve data, such as music, from the Internet.

300

Identify the antonym for "physical" in the context of messengers physically delivering messages.

virtual, non-physical

300

When did the telegraph come into use, and how did it change communication?

The telegraph came into use before the telephone. It changed communication by allowing messages to be transmitted quickly using a coded system of clicks over telegraph lines.

300

When did cell phones become popular, and how do they differ from traditional telephones in terms of communication?

Cell phones became popular in modern times. They differ from traditional telephones by using wireless signals to transmit voice and data through the air, eliminating the need for physical wires.

300

What can be inferred about the impact of the telegraph on communication when considering the transition from messengers to this new technology?

The telegraph significantly improved communication by providing a faster and more efficient means of sending messages over long distances compared to relying solely on messengers.

400

What does the term "efficiency" mean in the context of the story when referring to the phone system?

In the story, "efficiency" implies the improvement in the speed and effectiveness of the phone system as it evolved, allowing for quicker and more streamlined communication.

400

Give 2 meanings of the word "line" as it relates to the article. 

  • 1st meaning: a telephone or telegraph connection.
  • 2nd meaning: a physical line or wire used for communication.
400

Where were the telegraph lines initially laid, and why did it take years to cover the entire country?

Telegraph lines were initially laid across America. It took years to cover the entire country due to the extensive physical infrastructure required for the telegraph lines.

400

Why did it take years to develop more efficient telephone systems after the initial introduction of land-lines?

Developing more efficient telephone systems took years because additional infrastructure, such as switching stations, had to be implemented to enhance the capabilities of the telephone network.

400

Why might it have taken years to put all the telegraph lines across America, as mentioned in the story?

It can be inferred that laying telegraph lines across the vast expanse of America would have been a time-consuming process due to the extensive physical infrastructure required and the challenges of covering such long distances.

500

Explain the term "miles" as used in the story when describing the messengers.

In the story, "miles" refers to the long distances messengers would run from place to place to deliver messages, highlighting the physical effort involved in communication before technological advancements.

500

What is the antonym of "long ago" when referring to the time when there were messengers?

recently, now

500

Why did people use messengers before the invention of the telegraph and telephone?

People used messengers because there were no other means of quickly conveying messages over long distances before the telegraph and telephone.

500

How has communication technology evolved from the telegraph to cell phones, according to the story?

Communication technology has evolved from the telegraph to cell phones by transitioning from wired, coded messages to wireless signals, providing greater mobility and diverse capabilities like internet access and data downloads.

500

From the information provided, what inference can be made about the initial limitations of the telegraph in comparison to the telephone?

It can be inferred that the telegraph had a limitation as it did not allow direct verbal communication; instead, it transmitted messages through a code of clicks.