Question

history of the zipper
l han

1. gideon sundback had an important role in making a pair of pants or a jacket easier to wear. he invented the zipper.
2. sundback began working on the zipper while working for the fastener manufacturing and machine company. by 1913, he had his first zipper. he also invented a machine that made zippers and sewed them to cloth.
3. the zipper was not an immediate success. it wasnt until the 1930s that clothing companies began taking zippers seriously and started using them instead of buttons. zippers first began showing up on children’s clothes, making it easier for children to get dressed by themselves.
4. next, they showed up on men’s pants. soon, they were on everything from sleeping bags to purses.

what is the central idea of the passage?
a gideon sundback’s invention of the zipper made peoples’ lives easier.
b zippers were invented in 1913, but did not become popular until the 1930s.
c children’s clothes were the first to have zippers instead of buttons.
d zippers can be found on sleeping bags, purses, and clothing items.

Explanation:

To find the central idea, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The passage starts by stating Gideon Sundback's key role in inventing the zipper and how it made wearing clothes easier. The subsequent details (his work on the zipper, its later popularity, and its spread to various items) support the idea that his invention of the zipper improved people's lives.
• Option B: While the passage mentions the 1913 invention and 1930s popularity, this is a detail, not the main idea.
• Option C: The fact that children’s clothes were first to use zippers is a detail, not the central idea.
• Option D: Listing where zippers are found is a detail, not the main point about the invention and its impact.

So, Option A best captures the central idea as it focuses on Sundback’s invention and its positive impact on people’s lives, with other details supporting this.

Answer:

A. Gideon Sundback’s invention of the zipper made peoples’ lives easier.