Critical Vocabulary - "The Inventor's Secret"

Would you be surprised to see locomotives on a highway? Why or why not?

• Yes, because locomotives run on tracks, not highways.

• No, because locomotives can move on any surface.

If a vehicle chugged along, how did it move?

• Quickly and smoothly.

• Slowly and with difficulty.

Are airplanes and trains examples of gadgets? Why or why not?

• Yes, because they are mechanical devices.

• No, because they are large vehicles, not small devices.

How is a cell phone similar to a phonograph? How is it different?

• Both play audio, but a cell phone has many other functions.

• Both are used only for recording and playing music.

Would you like to be a passenger in a vehicle that sputtered along? Why or why not?

• Yes, because it would be fun.

• No, because it might break down or be unreliable.

If someone says their plan turned out to be a flop, how do you think they feel about it?

• Disappointed, because the plan failed.

• Excited, because the plan was a success.

Would you like to have something incandescent in your bedroom while you sleep? Why or why not?

• Yes, because it would make the room very bright.

• No, because it would be too bright and hard to sleep.

Why might an inventor need to get patents?

• To sell their invention.

• To protect their invention from being copied.