The Printing Press and the Spread of Ideas – Teacher Answers

Teacher answer key

1. Warm-up: answers will vary.
2. Vocabulary: widespread = existing in many places; movable type = separate letters that can be arranged for printing; efficiently = without wasting time or effort; available = able to be obtained or used; communication = the sharing of information
3. Reading comprehension: 1) Because they were copied by hand. 2) Individual metal letters / movable type. 3) They gradually became cheaper and more widely available. 4) It helped them travel faster. 5) No.
4. Grammar: 1) were copied; 2) were arranged; 3) were produced; 4) were spread
5. Listening script: “Early printers had to prepare type carefully before each page could be printed. Once a page was ready, many copies could be made. The type was then taken apart and used again for another page.”
   Answers: 1) The type. 2) Many copies could be made. 3) It was taken apart and reused. 4) It could be used for another page / reduced the need to create new letters each time.
6. Speaking: answers will vary.
7. Something fun: answers will vary.
8. Writing: answers will vary. Encourage students to use details from the lesson and accurate target language.

Puzzle/Game: answers will vary. Encourage students to use lesson vocabulary and explain their choices.

Success criteria: this is a student self-check. No single answer is required.

For open-ended tasks, accept different answers when students can explain or support them clearly.