Great Minds and Finds in Asia (Mike Downs)

Great Minds and Finds in Asia (Mike Downs) showcases the remarkable inventions and ancient wisdom that come from the world’s largest continent. From early paper-making to modern technology, this book explores how Asian minds have changed human history forever. The clear and engaging text helps students build their reading comprehension while discovering fascinating cultural facts. It is a wonderful resource for learning about the rich heritage and constant innovation found in Asian countries. This book encourages young learners to appreciate global progress and the power of creativity.

Lexile: 880L

Quiz

Question 1: How many people live in Asia?

less than 4.5 thousandless than 4.5 billion4.5 billionmore than 4.5 billion

Question 2: Where is the highest place on Earth?

Mount Fuji, JapanMount Apo, PhilippinesStone Forest, ChinaMount Everest, Nepal

Question 3: What can we conclude about the corpse flower?

It is odorless.It is a source of food for carnivores.It smells unpleasant.It is full of iron.

Question 4: Who is this book written for?

readers over the age of 18 yearsreaders who want to learn about Asiareaders who are learning the alphabetexperts on Asia

Question 5: "In Vietnam, you'll find magnificent waterfalls." What does the word _magnificent_ describe?

Vietnamthe bookthe people of Vietnamthe waterfalls

Question 6: "Mongolia is home to vast grasslands." Which word could replace _vast_ in this sentence?

extensivetinyrichlush

Quiz

Question 1: When was an early form of writing invented?

12th century5000 BCE3,000 years agomore than 5,000 years ago

Question 2: Who was the first known writer?

EnheduannaGilgameshLi QingzhaoOsamu Tezuka

Question 3: What would be the most likely effect of more people learning to read and write?

People learned how to make bigger books.People could share ideas more widely.Paper became more expensive.People stopped telling stories.

Question 4: What is the purpose of this chapter?

to explain the origins of early writingto explain why Asian languages are so complexto explain how to make clay tablets for writingto explain why Manga comics are important

Question 5: Women were discouraged from writing. Which word is opposite in meaning to _discouraged_?

encouragedcourageousdisagreeddisaster

Question 6: What is an alphabet?

a system of symbols or letters matching spoken words to written languagethe letters a to za complex order of pictures to help understand namesa way of organizing consonants

Quiz

Question 1: Why was the Great Wall of China built?

as a tourist attractionto protect the Qin Shi Huang's territoryas a way to keep the people inas a museum

Question 2: What does _baozhu_, the Chinese word for firecracker, mean?

gunpowderexploding bambooflying kitelong life

Question 3: What _best_ describes the kites that could carry people described in this book?

an unsuccessful inventiona time-consuming activitya very successful inventiona huge benefit to emperors

Question 4: What does this chapter tell you about Asian inventions?

The first emperor of China rewarded people for many different inventions.Asia is responsible for a handful of inventions.There have been many of inventions for everyday things we still use today.Inventions take a great amount of money and time.

Question 5: What type of words are _firecracker, gunpowder_ and _daylight_?

adjectivescompound wordsproper nounsverbs

Question 6: The emperor wanted to protect his territory. What does _territory_ mean?

an area of land to be protectedan area of land without an armyan area of land controlled by a leaderan area of land that has lots of natural resources

Quiz

Question 1: How do community members in Tokyo keep their street clean?

by clearingby scrubbingby sweepingby washing

Question 2: What does a Qibla compass show people in the Muslim religion?

how to praywhere to find the nearest mosquewhich direction to face when prayinghow to organize items in harmony

Question 3: Which helps with navigation?

advanced compassessanitation systemsancient spoonsballistic missiles

Question 4: How do captions help readers?

Captions tell readers where to find more information.Captions label the name of a chapter.Captions organize information according to page numbers.Captions give extra information to images.

Question 5: What does _automatic_ mean?

to work all over the worldto use your hands to workto work day and nightto work by itself

Question 6: Systems like these are vital. Which word could replace _vital_?

additionalunnecessaryessentialaccessible

Quiz

Question 1: In which country would you eat bulgogi?

ChinaKoreaJapanRussia

Question 2: Which are you likely to find in ramen?

fruit jelliescrickets and palm weevilsrice crackers and cakesegg, seaweed, and green onion

Question 3: Which animal family do both crickets and palm weevils belong to?

fishinsectscattlespiders

Question 4: Which word is used to describe Asian food?

sweethotsaltydelicious

Question 5: Which word means 'well liked'?

popularhappybusylonely

Question 6: What does it mean if something is "highly nutritious"?

full of fats and oilswill keep you fuller for longerlow-fat and long lastingvery good for your health

Quiz

Question 1: What is a _Shinkansen_?

a heavy wheelbarrowa route through the Silk Roada bullet traina sled

Question 2: What did the Silk Road connect?

Asia and EuropeAsia and North AmericaAsia and AustraliaAsia and Africa

Question 3: Why was the Silk Road so important?

It helped people better understand the wider world.It helped make bullet trains.It helped people draw more accurate maps.It helped speed up trade.

Question 4: What is the big idea from this chapter?

Shinkansen are not an efficient form of transport.People only use wagons to lift very heavy loads of grains and vegetables.Wheels have evolved to help the people of Asia for thousands of years.Traveling to Asia is a once in a lifetime opportunity everyone should do.

Question 5: In the phrase "high tech", what is _tech_ an abbreviation of?

tectonictechnicaltechniquetechnology

Question 6: The Mesopotamians devised an easier way. What word has a similar meaning to _devised_?

traveledfollowedinventedgrew