Difficulty: Easy

Average Score: 86%

One of the most successful Black inventors following the Civil War was Elijah McCoy. McCoy's basic invention, a 'drip cup,' ended complaints of waste and cost by making it unnecessary to stop and restart engines to lubricate them. McCoy opened the Elijah McCoy Manufacturing Company in Detroit, Michigan, to develop and market his inventions. He worked with such intensity from 1873 to 1899 that he received 25 patents for different types of lubricators. The confidence inspired by the reliability of his lubricating devices was such that the phrase 'the real McCoy' was coined to describe machinery that contained the McCoy device, and this phrase became a part of the English language.

The primary purpose of the passage is to

Rationale

describe McCoy's success as an inventor.

The passage primarily highlights Elijah McCoy's achievements as an inventor, particularly focusing on his innovative contributions to lubricating machinery and the recognition he received for his work. It emphasizes his prolific output of patents and the lasting impact of his inventions, thus showcasing his success in the field.

A (contrast McCoy's success with other inventors during the Civil War) YOUR ANSWER

This choice incorrectly implies a comparison between McCoy and other inventors of his time. The passage does not discuss other inventors or provide any contrasting information; it solely focuses on McCoy's accomplishments and innovations.

B (present a brief biography of McCoy) YOUR ANSWER

While the passage provides some biographical details about McCoy, such as his establishment of the Elijah McCoy Manufacturing Company and the timeline of his work, it does not serve as a comprehensive biography. Instead, it emphasizes his success and inventions rather than detailing his entire life story.

C (describe the development of one of McCoy's inventions) YOUR ANSWER

This choice suggests that the passage focuses specifically on the developmental process of a single invention. However, the text broadly discusses McCoy's inventions and their impact rather than diving into the specifics of one particular invention's development.

E (discuss McCoy's contributions to the English language) YOUR ANSWER

Although the phrase "the real McCoy" is mentioned, which relates to his impact on language, this aspect is not the central focus of the passage. The primary purpose is to highlight his success as an inventor rather than his linguistic contributions.

Conclusion

The passage centers on Elijah McCoy’s achievements and success as an inventor, illustrating how his innovations significantly improved machinery and earned him recognition. While it touches on various aspects of his life and work, the overarching theme is his success in creating reliable inventions that transformed industrial practices and created a lasting legacy.

Related Questions

View all