Class 8 English Solution New Course | Unit 16 The History of Pens - II

Unit 16

Reading II

The History of Pens

A. Find the different types of pens mentioned in the text and write their details.

a. Reed Pen- When humans developed papyrus- Egyptians

b. Quill Pen-Spanish

c. Fountain Pen- 1827- Petrache Poenaru

d. Ballpoint Pen-1943- László Bíró and György Bíró

B. Matching the words with their meanings:

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. slow steady development of something

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

C. Answer these questions.

a. Reed pens were made by hollowing out a piece of reed and sharpening one end to a point.

b. Quill pens were made from the feathers of geese, swans, or turkeys.

c. Quill pens allowed for smoother and faster writing than reed pens, and they could be used to write in both capital and lowercase letters.

d. Steel-point pens were different from quils pens as they were cheaper and sturdier. As writing became smoother and faster.

e. The variations of the fountain pen include the use of replaceable and refillable ink cartridges, as well as the use of materials such as plastic, metal, and wood.

f. László Bíró, a Hungarian journalist, designed the first commercial ballpoint pen in 1938.

g. Biro pens, also known as ballpoint pens, were the first widely successful type of pens. They were a significant advancement in pen technology because they were very durable, convenient to use, and could write on various surfaces like cardboard and wood. They even worked underwater and at high altitudes.

i. I think the use of pens will decline in the days to come. This is because there are a number of new technologies that are replacing pens, such as tablets and smartphones. These devices allow people to write and draw electronically, which is often more convenient and efficient than using a pen.

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

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

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

1945: The first commercial ballpoint pens are sold.

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

2023: 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.

The Sinking of the Titanic

The sinking of the Titanic was a tragic event that took place on April 15, 1912. The Titanic was a British passenger liner that was on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York City. The ship was carrying over 2,200 passengers and crew when it struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean. The collision caused the ship to split in two and sink within three hours. Over 1,500 people died in the disaster, making it one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in history.

There are many theories about why the Titanic sank. Some believe that the ship was traveling too fast for the conditions, while others believe that the iceberg was simply too large to be avoided. There is also some speculation that the ship's watertight compartments were not properly sealed, which allowed water to flood the ship more quickly.

The sinking of the Titanic had a profound impact on the world. It led to new safety regulations for ships and helped to raise awareness of the dangers of icebergs. The disaster also inspired a number of books, movies, and songs.

The Titanic is still a popular topic of interest today. There have been numerous investigations into the sinking, and the ship's wreck has been explored by divers. The Titanic continues to fascinate people because it is a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of safety.