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First Read - Sticking to It - Q9-11

Last updated 9 months ago
9 questions
Note from the author:
As you this selection, take note of words that are new or unfamiliar to you. If you are unable to understand their meaning in context, look them up on Wordsmyth.net. Write down those words and their definition in your reading journal.
As you this selection, take note of words that are new or unfamiliar to you. If you are unable to understand their meaning in context, look them up on Wordsmyth.net. Write down those words and their definition in your reading journal.
1 Have you ever needed to write something down quickly? What do you grab? A pencil and a sticky note, most likely. You can write down a message and stick it someplace that will help you recall it later. Sticky notes are an easy solution to the frustrating task of remembering small details. They have helped people around the world be more organized and less forgetful. Despite their success today, sticky notes were not always commonplace at offices and schools.
1

Which sentence in paragraph one is the main idea of this passage?

Have you ever needed to write something down quickly? What do you grab? A pencil and a sticky note, most likely. You can write down a message and stick it someplace that will help you recall it later. Sticky notes are an easy solution to the frustrating task of remembering small details. They have helped people around the world be more organized and less forgetful. Despite their success today, sticky notes were not always commonplace at offices and schools.

Unexpected Findings

2 The story begins in 1968. Dr. Spencer Silver was a chemist at Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing (commonly called 3M). One specialty of 3M was creating adhesives, sticky substances that allow objects to cling to surfaces. Silver was trying to make "bigger, stronger, tougher adhesives," something with a mighty hold.

3 But Silver's results confused him. Instead of the powerful stick he hoped for, what he created was the opposite: "microspheres," tiny particles that stay sticky but are removed easily from surfaces.

4 Although Silver missed his initial goal, he knew he designed something revolutionary. The problem was to find the right use for it. This problem wouldn't be solved until five years later.
1

What is the most important sentence in paragraph 2?

The story begins in 1968. Dr. Spencer Silver was a chemist at Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing (commonly called 3M). One specialty of 3M was creating adhesives, sticky substances that allow objects to cling to surfaces. Silver was trying to make "bigger, stronger, tougher adhesives," something with a mighty hold.
1

What is the most important sentence in paragraph 3?

But Silver's results confused him. Instead of the powerful stick he hoped for, what he created was the opposite: "microspheres," tiny particles that stay sticky but are removed easily from surfaces.
1

What is the most important sentence in paragraph 4?

Although Silver missed his initial goal, he knew he designed something revolutionary. The problem was to find the right use for it. This problem wouldn't be solved until five years later.

A Team Emerges

5 Although he still hadn't found a use for microspheres, Silver shared his discovery with colleagues. His persistence finally paid off in 1973, when his adhesive caught the attention of 3M employee Art Fry. When Fry first heard of Silver's invention, he felt what he called a "eureka moment"—a sudden realization. Fry felt an "adrenaline rush" from the plans swirling in his head—he could use Silver's adhesive to stick bookmarks into the pages of his favorite books. His non-sticky bookmarks were regularly falling out; with the adhesive, they would remain securely between the pages.

6 Fry started to help Silver. The two worked hard to convince others of the adhesive's usefulness. Yet few people were interested in microspheres. How could something with such a weak adhesive be beneficial?

7 But Silver and Fry knew better. It took them several more years to perfect the design, but finally, with the help of other scientists, they had it: a thin film of the special adhesive along just one side of a piece of paper.
1

What is the most important sentence in paragraph 5?

Although he still hadn't found a use for microspheres, Silver shared his discovery with colleagues. His persistence finally paid off in 1973, when his adhesive caught the attention of 3M employee Art Fry. When Fry first heard of Silver's invention, he felt what he called a "eureka moment"—a sudden realization. Fry felt an "adrenaline rush" from the plans swirling in his head—he could use Silver's adhesive to stick bookmarks into the pages of his favorite books. His non-sticky bookmarks were regularly falling out; with the adhesive, they would remain securely between the pages.
1

What is the most important sentence in paragraph 6?

Fry started to help Silver. The two worked hard to convince others of the adhesive's usefulness. Yet few people were interested in microspheres. How could something with such a weak adhesive be beneficial?
1

What is the most important sentence in paragraph 7?

But Silver and Fry knew better. It took them several more years to perfect the design, but finally, with the help of other scientists, they had it: a thin film of the special adhesive along just one side of a piece of paper.

Gaining Traction

8 The men chose their company as a place to test their invention. As expected, 3M employees loved the little sticky pieces of paper. In 1980—12 years after Silver's fateful discovery—sticky notes were sold in stores and found instant success.

9 Sticky notes have shaped the way people organize and communicate. Their impact is undeniable—roughly 50 billion sticky notes are manufactured in the United States each year. They appear across offices, classrooms, and homes. Indeed, sticky notes may be the most valuable "mistake" in invention history!
1

What is the most important sentence in paragraph 8?

The men chose their company as a place to test their invention. As expected, 3M employees loved the little sticky pieces of paper. In 1980—12 years after Silver's fateful discovery—sticky notes were sold in stores and found instant success.
1

Which sentence restates or adds to the controlling idea for this selection?

Sticky notes have shaped the way people organize and communicate. Their impact is undeniable—roughly 50 billion sticky notes are manufactured in the United States each year. They appear across offices, classrooms, and homes. Indeed, sticky notes may be the most valuable "mistake" in invention history!

Putting It All Together

When you combine the main ideas of each paragraph, you end up with a fairly cohesive paragraph summarizing the selection.

Despite their success today, sticky notes were not always commonplace at offices and schools. [3M chemist Dr. Spencer] Silver was trying to make "bigger, stronger, tougher adhesives," something with a mighty hold. Instead of the powerful stick he hoped for, what he created was the opposite: "microspheres," tiny particles that stay sticky but are removed easily from surfaces. Although Silver missed his initial goal, he knew he designed something revolutionary. His persistence finally paid off in 1973, when his adhesive caught the attention of 3M employee Art Fry. The two worked hard to convince others of the adhesive's usefulness. It took them several more years to perfect the design, but finally, with the help of other scientists, they had it: a thin film of the special adhesive along just one side of a piece of paper. In 1980—12 years after Silver's fateful discovery—sticky notes were sold in stores and found instant success. Indeed, sticky notes may be the most valuable "mistake" in invention history!