Grade 8 (Unit 16) The History of Pens (Reading II)

 

Unit 16

Reading I (page 202)

The History of Pens

A. Find the different types of pens mentioned in the text and write their details as mentioned in tl1e example below.

 

S.N.	Type of Pen	Time/Year	Inventor
Example	Reed Pen	When humans developed papyrus	Egyptians

Answer:

S.N.	Type of Pen	Time/Year	Inventor
Example	Reed Pen	When humans developed papyrus	Egyptians
Example	Fountain Pen	Patented by Petrache Poenaru in 1827	Petrache Poenaru
Example	Ballpoint Pen (Biro Pen)	Invented in 1943 by Laszló Bíró and Gyorgy Bíró	Laszló Bíró and Gyorgy Bíró

 

B. Match the following words with their correct meanings.

a. hollow   i. strong and not easily dan1aged

b. discard ii. to obtain a right for an invention or a process

c. shaft       iii. having a hole or empty space inside

d. sturdy    iv. slow steady development of something

e. patent     v. the long narrow part of an arrow, hammer, etc.

f. smudge vi. the coming of an important event, person, invention, etc.

g. evolution vii. to get rid of something that you no longer want or need

h. advent   viii. to make a dirty mark on a surface

Answer

a. hollow – iii. having a hole or empty space inside

b. discard – vii. to get rid of something that you no longer want or need

c. shaft – v. the long narrow part of an arrow, hammer, etc.

d. sturdy – i. strong and not easily damaged

e. patent – ii. to obtain a right for an invention or a process

f. smudge – viii. to make a dirty mark on a surface

g. evolution – iv. the slow steady development of something

h. advent – vi. the coming of an important event, person, invention, etc.

C. Answer these questions.

a. How were the reed pens made?

b. What were the quill pens made of?

c. Mention the changes brought by quill pens in writing.

d. How were steel-point pens different from quill pens?

e. What were the variations of the fountain pen?

f. Who designed the ball pens for the first time?

g. Describe the features of biromes.

h. Do you think the use of pens will decline in the days to come? Why?

Answer:

a. Reed pens were made using hollow tubular marsh grass, especially bamboo as the body of the pen.

b. The quill pens were made of from bird feathers like swans, turkeys, and geese.

c. Quill pens brought changes by improving smoothness and speed.

d. Steel-point pens were cheaper and sturdier than quill pens.

e. Variations of the fountain pen like replaceable and refillable ink cartridges, and the use of plastic, metal, and wood.

g. Laszló Bíró, a Hungarian journalist, designed the first commercial ballpoint pen.

h. The ball pen was highly durable, more convenient, could write on multiple surfaces such as cardboard and wood, and even underwater and at high altitudes

i. Yes, the use of pens will decline in the days to come by using smartphones, tablets, and laptops, replacing traditional writing tools

D. Prepare a timeline illustrating the historical development of pens.

Answer:

Timeline of the Development of Pens

3000 BC: The first pens are invented in Egypt. These pens are made from reed and are used to write on papyrus.

1400 AD: Quill pens are invented in Europe.

These pens are made from the feathers of geese, swans, or turkeys.

1700 AD: Steel-point pens are invented. These pens are made of a single piece of metal and are stronger and more durable than quill pens.

1827 AD: The fountain pen is invented. This pen has an ink reservoir and does not need to be dipped in ink regularly.

1884 AD: The Waterman fountain pen is patented. This pen has a three-channel ink feed that ensures a smooth flow of ink.

1938 AD: The ballpoint pen is invented. This pen has a small ball at the tip that rolls ink onto the paper.

1945 AD: The first commercial ballpoint pens are sold.

1960s AD: The ballpoint pen becomes the most popular type of pen in the world.

2023 AD: Pens are still an important tool for many people but they are being increasingly replaced by technology.

Writing II

Write a couple of paragraphs about one of the historical events you know.

Answer:

Unification of Nepal

One significant historical event in Nepal is the unification of the country under the leadership of King Prithvi Narayan Shah in the 18th century. Before the unification, Nepal was divided into numerous small principalities, each ruled by its own king. Prithvi Narayan Shah, the king of the small country of Gorkha, had a vision of creating a unified and strong nation. In the mid-18th century, King Prithvi Narayan Shah embarked on a series of military campaigns to bring together the various independent states and territories under his rule. The unification process was marked by strategic alliances, diplomatic exercises, and military conquests. After facing numerous challenges and overcoming internal and external resistance, King Prithvi Narayan Shah successfully unified the disparate regions and countries, forming the modern nation of Nepal.

The unification of Nepal not only shaped its territorial boundaries but also laid the foundation for a unique cultural and political identity. King Prithvi Narayan Shah's legacy as the architect of modern Nepal is celebrated, and his efforts are remembered as a crucial moment in the country's history. The establishment of a unified Nepal set the stage for its subsequent development, shaping the nation's character and influencing its path for centuries to come.

(My special thanks to Kanchan Chaudhary of Khairahani Secondary School for preparing this material.)

 

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