Comprehension check

Read the test and fill in the QUICK FACTS chart.
Full name
Date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy)
Place of birth
Parents
Education
First job
Occupation
First patent
First great invention
Number of patents
Number of marriages
Date of death (dd/mm/yyyy)
Place of death
    
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Mark the following statements as True or False.
1)Edison came from a large family.
2)His father taught him to operate a telegraph.
3)Edison’s first invention was the “Universal Stock Printer”.
4)His early career of an inventor was focused on the perfection of the telegraph.
5)The new laboratory and manufacturing facility in Menlo Park became the prototype for the contemporary research laboratories.
6)The invention of the record player was Edison’s most difficult and challenging project.
7)The first record player was taken for granted by the public.
8)Edison invented electricity in 1879.
9)The company General Electric was set up and run by T. Edison.
10)The new laboratory complex in West Orange enabled Edison to work on a number of projects simultaneously.
11)Edison’s alkaline battery didn’t find any practical application at that time.
12)Edison was involved in developing and improving the film industry.
13)West Orange lab complex was an ideal place for the young inventors to start their career.
14)Edison was a great scientist but he wasn’t a very successful businessman.
15)Edison’s aim was to find the practical application of his research.
    
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What do these figures refer to?
7
1847
40,000
25
1877
1879
13,5
1899
341
84
55
1093
 
  1. films that were produced by Edison’s company
  2. patents Edison received for his inventions
  3. miles southwest of New York City Menlo Park Laboratory was located
  4. children in Edison’s family
  5. the public demonstration of Edison’s lighting system
  6. year the tin foil phonograph was invented
  7. year the work on alkaline battery began
  8. hours the lamp was burning
  9. dollars Edison received for his first successful invention
  10. age Edison was when he died
  11. year Edison was born in
  12. hours the average work week at Edison’s laboratory complex lasted
    
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Look at the list of inventions and developments. Tick those that were made by Edison.
Look back in the text if necessary.
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