Analyze Connections and Distinctions Practice Test
•10 QuestionsRead the passage, then answer the question.
In the late 1800s, Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla both worked to shape how people used electricity. Similarly, both men built devices that helped power homes and businesses, and each earned recognition for inventive talent. However, the text shows that their goals and working styles often pulled in different directions. Edison focused on making products that could be sold quickly, so he tested many small changes until something worked reliably for customers. In contrast, Tesla was drawn to big, theory-driven leaps, imagining systems that could send power more efficiently over long distances. Their disagreement became especially clear during the “War of Currents.” Edison promoted direct current (DC), which was easier to control over short distances, while Tesla supported alternating current (AC), which could travel farther with less power loss. As a result, cities faced competing electrical systems, and the debate pushed engineers to improve safety, wiring, and power stations. Even though Edison and Tesla are often portrayed as rivals, the passage suggests their shared impact came from working in the same field while approaching invention from opposite angles.
Question: What distinction does the author make between Edison and Tesla?
Read the passage, then answer the question.
In the late 1800s, Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla both worked to shape how people used electricity. Similarly, both men built devices that helped power homes and businesses, and each earned recognition for inventive talent. However, the text shows that their goals and working styles often pulled in different directions. Edison focused on making products that could be sold quickly, so he tested many small changes until something worked reliably for customers. In contrast, Tesla was drawn to big, theory-driven leaps, imagining systems that could send power more efficiently over long distances. Their disagreement became especially clear during the “War of Currents.” Edison promoted direct current (DC), which was easier to control over short distances, while Tesla supported alternating current (AC), which could travel farther with less power loss. As a result, cities faced competing electrical systems, and the debate pushed engineers to improve safety, wiring, and power stations. Even though Edison and Tesla are often portrayed as rivals, the passage suggests their shared impact came from working in the same field while approaching invention from opposite angles.
Question: What distinction does the author make between Edison and Tesla?