Benjamin Franklin: The Ultimate Solution Creator (ReadWorks)

What invention did Ben Franklin develop that helped people with poor eyesight?

• bifocal lenses for glasses
• the lightning rod for thunderstorms
• the repeal of the Stamp Act
• he redesigned a wood-burning stove to make heating more efficient

Ben Franklin didn't come from a ___________ family, that is why he lived simply, or economically.

• wealthy
• poor
• middle class
• indentured servant

When Benjamin Franklin had a difficult decision to make, he would use a "pros and cons" list to help him decide. What do the "pros" represent?

• the positive, or advantages
• the negative, or disadvantages
• professionals
• amateurs

When Benjamin Franklin had a difficult decision to make, he would use a "pros and cons" list to help him decide. What do the "cons" represent?

• the positive, or advantages
• the negative, or disadvantages
• professionals
• amateurs

Ben Franklin invented a device that helped save buildings from catching on fire. What did he invent?

• the Franklin Stove
• the lightning rod
• bifocal glasses
• electricity

Ben Franklin was interested in the population growth of the American colonies. What did he discover about it?

• that the population of the American colonies was going to double every 20 years
• that the colonies were not growing very fast because they didn't have a lot of farmland
• the colonies growth was due the invention of electricity
• he published a book called, "Observations on the Increase of Mankind"

In 1775, Franklin was appointed the first Postmaster General of the American Colonies. What did this job entail?

• delivering letters
• building posts for fences
• regulating the slave trade industry
• repealing the Stamp Act

Franklin never patented a single one of his inventions. This meant that...

• people were free to copy his inventions
• he didn't want anyone to know that he invented things
• people gave him credit and protected his inventions
• people benefitted from his inventions

What was Franklin's rationale (reason) for not protecting his inventions with patents?

•  it gave society an advantage because more people could try to improve on the designs
• it allowed for everyone to get rich by copying his inventions
• he didn't think people should copy what he invented
• Franklin paved the way for others to use his inventions without changing them

*not from the article
Benjamin Franklin was once the President of the United States.

• TRUE
• FALSE