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TOEFL Reading Complete the Words Practice 001The Invention of the Ballpoint Pen
TOEFL Reading Complete the Words Practice #001 - The Invention of the Ballpoint Pen
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Complete the text with the missing letters.
TOEFL Reading Complete the Words Practice #001 - The Invention of the Ballpoint Pen
Fountain pens were the standard writing tool for centuries, but they had a persistent flaw: their ink was thin enough to leak and smudge easily, especially on rough paper. A Hungarian journalist named Laszlo Biro grew frus with this problem and began expe with a thi, quick-drying ink borrowed from newspaper printing presses. The thicker ink sol the smudging issue, but it created a new obs, since it was too vis to flow through a traditional pen nib. Biro's solution was a small rot ball fitted into the tip of the pen, which picked up ink from an internal res and deposited a thin, even layer onto the page as it rolled. After flee to Argentina during the Second World War, Biro patented his design and began manufacturing pens comm, and the invention eventually spread worldwide under various brand names.
Tap any letter box to edit it. The outlined box receives the next letter; typing moves forward automatically.
Answer Explanations Reveals the correct words
- 1.frustrated
“Frustrated” describes Biro’s reaction to the persistent problem of leaking and smudging ink. The pattern “grew + adjective” describes a change of state: he became frustrated. This feeling logically motivates his attempt to find a solution.
- 2.experimenting
“Experimenting” fits the phrase “began experimenting with,” meaning that Biro started testing a possible solution. After “began,” an -ing form is natural, and the following phrase about thicker ink identifies what he tested.
- 3.thicker
“Thicker” is a comparative adjective modifying “ink.” It contrasts this ink with the previously mentioned ink, which was “thin enough to leak,” and the comparison is reinforced by the repeated phrase “The thicker ink” in the next sentence.
- 4.solved
“Solved” is the past-tense verb in “The thicker ink solved the smudging issue.” It expresses the successful result of using quick-drying ink. The following “but” signals that this solution also produced a new problem.
- 5.obstacle
“Obstacle” means a problem or barrier. The adjective–noun phrase “a new obstacle” contrasts with “solved the smudging issue”: the thicker ink fixed one difficulty but created another.
- 6.viscous
“Viscous” means thick and resistant to flowing. The cause introduced by “since” explains the obstacle: the ink could not pass through a traditional nib because it was too viscous. The earlier word “thicker” is an important clue to this meaning.
- 7.rotating
“Rotating” modifies “ball” and means turning around. The later clause “as it rolled” confirms that the ball moved by rotation. This adjective explains how the ball could collect ink and transfer it to the page.
- 8.reservoir
“Reservoir” is a container or storage space for liquid. In the phrase “an internal reservoir,” the adjective “internal” shows that it is inside the pen, while “picked up ink from” indicates that it stores the ink supplied to the ball.
- 9.fleeing
“Fleeing” means escaping from danger or an unsafe situation. The phrase “After fleeing to Argentina during the Second World War” establishes the time and circumstances before Biro patented his design. After the preposition “after,” the -ing form is grammatically appropriate here.
- 10.commercially
“Commercially” is an adverb modifying “manufacturing.” It means producing the pens as goods for sale rather than merely making experimental models. The -ly ending signals an adverb, and the later statement that the invention spread worldwide supports the idea of commercial production.