THINK

Three Surprising Things about the First Printing Press

[1] The printing press was a very important invention in history. It helped share information with many people. It allowed many people to read and learn. However, there are some things you might not know about it.

[2] One surprising fact about the invention of the printing press is that it was actually inspired by wine presses. Johannes Gutenberg, who lived in Germany, made the first printing press. He was a clever man. He understood things quickly. He was a goldsmith and knew how to work with metal. He knew how to make metal designs by pressing them onto paper. Then he saw a wine press. It helped make wine by squeezing grapes. Gutenberg had an idea. He thought he could use the wine press to press ink onto paper. This would help make many copies of a book. This was very important. It meant that books could be made more quickly and people could learn more.

[3] However, the printing press was not a new idea. People in China and Korea had already made printing methods. Gutenberg used some of their ideas. He also used ideas from other people who worked with metal. However, it was his adaptation of a wine press that made the difference.

[4] Another surprising fact is that some leaders at the time did not like the printing press. They were worried that bad ideas would spread. They did not like people having information. In some countries, the printing press was banned. In other words, leaders did not allow anyone to use it. But people wanted to learn. They wanted to read books. They wanted to have more knowledge. So the printing press became very popular. Even the leaders had to accept it.

[5] The printing press was a very good invention. It made many books and helped people learn. Johannes Gutenberg was very clever. He used ideas from many people to make the printing press. Some people did not like it at first, but it became very popular. Today, we still use printing presses to make books and newspapers.

THINK

INSTRUCTIONS: Answer the questions based on the reading "Three Surprising Things about the First Printing Press".

1. Which of the following best describes the main idea of the story?
(A) Johannes Gutenberg was a goldsmith who made metal designs.
(B) The printing press was invented by Johannes Gutenberg, who used ideas from many people to make it possible to produce books and share knowledge.
(C) People did not like the printing press at first, but it became popular because it allowed them to read books and gain knowledge.
(D) The printing press was not a new idea, as people in China and Korea had already made printing methods, and Gutenberg used some of their ideas.

2. Why was printing banned in some parts of Europe before Gutenberg's invention?
(A) The leaders were afraid of the spread of knowledge, especially ideas they didn't think were good.
(B) The leaders were afraid of the spread of diseases from the ink and metal.
(C) The leaders wanted to make more money by selling more printing presses.
(D) The leaders did not know about the invention of the printing press.

3. How did Gutenberg's printing press change book production?
(A) It made books cheaper and easier to produce.
(B) It made books more expensive and harder to produce.
(C) It did not have any effect on book production.
(D) It only helped produce books in specific languages.

4. Look in the story for words that match these definitions. Write part of speech (noun,verb, or adjective.) Do not use a dictionary or translator. Explain: How do you know?

A. A machine for applying pressure to something. (para 1)
Word:
Part Of Speech:

B. Something that is not allowed, officially or legally. (para 4)
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Part Of Speech:

C. Having or showing quickness of mind, intelligence. (para 2)
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Part Of Speech:

D. Information, understanding or skills. (para 4)
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Part Of Speech:

E. Liked or admired by many people. (para 4)
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Part Of Speech:

F. A German man who invented the printing press. (para 2)
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Part Of Speech:

G. A hard, shiny material for making tools and objects. (para 2)
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Part Of Speech:

H. A liquid used for printing text or images. (para 2)
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Part Of Speech:

How do you know the part of speech? Explain your reasoning for one of the words above.