THE MATCH There never was a time when the world was without fire, but there was a time when men did not know how to kindle fire; and after they learned how to kindle one, it was a long, long time before they learned how to kindle one easily. In these days we can kindle a fire without any trouble, because we can easily get a match; but we must remember that the match is one of the most wonderful things in the world, and that it took men thousands of years to learn how to make one. Let us learn the history of this familiar little object, the match. Fire was first given to man by nature itself. When a forest is set on fire by cinders from a neighboring volcano, or when a tree is set ablaze by a thunderbolt, we may say that nature strikes a match. In the early history of the world, nature had to kindle all the fires, for man by his own effort was unable to produce a spark. The first method, then, of getting fire for use was to light sticks of wood at a flame kindled by nature—by a volcano, perhaps, or by a stroke of lightning. These firebrands were carried to the home and used in kindling the fires there. The fire secured in this way was carefully guarded and was kept burning as long as possible. But the flame, however faithfully watched, would sometimes be extinguished. A sudden gust of wind or a sudden shower would put it out. Then a new firebrand would have to be secured, and this often meant a long journey and a deal of trouble. In 1827, John Walker, a druggist in a small English town, tipped a splint with sulphur, chlorate of potash, and sulphid of antimony, and rubbed it on sandpaper, and it burst into flame. The druggist had discovered the first friction-chemical match, the kind we use to-day. It is called friction-chemical because it is made by mixing certain chemicals together and rubbing them. Although Walker's match did not require the bottle of acid, nevertheless it was not a good one. It could be lighted only by hard rubbing, and it sputtered and threw fire in all directions. In a few years, however, phosphorus was substituted on the tip for antimony, and the change worked wonders. The match could now be lighted with very little rubbing, and it was no longer necessary to have sandpaper upon which to rub it. It would ignite when rubbed on any dry surface, and there was no longer any sputtering. This was the phosphorus match, the match with which we are so familiar. What is the main idea of this text? Firebrands were hard to keep lit. Nature provided fire to early humans. The history of the match is interesting. The match made life easier for humans.

Which phrase from the article suggests a tone that is formal but subjective? a- "thirty-six inches long and sixteen inches wide" b- "loads of fun with it" c- "most generous and attractive" d- "must be new subscribers" one of the most generous and attractive offers ever made to washington boys and girls is announced today by the washington times circulation department. for a limited time, national capital youngsters who show enterprise and energy will be given disc wheel coaster wagons in return for a few hours of their time. each boy or girl who sends in to the circulation manager, room 242, the names and addresses of ten friends or relatives who agree to take the washington times for six months, will receive one of these wagons, which can be made a source of profit as well as unending enjoyment for youngsters. the boys and girls are merely asked to obtain the signatures of ten friends or relatives. no money is to be collected and no work is required. the washington times is the most popular and constantly growing newspaper in the national capital and it is easy and simple to obtain the required ten signatures. as soon as the signatures are verified, the disc wheel coaster wagon will be delivered to the energetic boy or girl. the disc wheel coaster wagon is thirty-six inches long and sixteen inches wide. the coaster is built exactly like a high-powered automobile. the disc wheels have rubber tires and true roller bearings. it runs as smoothly as an eight-cylinder automobile. it is built of the strongest wood and is equipped with a reliable hand brake, enabling the owner to stop in an instant. the tongue—usually the first thing about a wagon to break and render the wagon unserviceable—is so stout that a man can jump on it without breaking it. it is built for real boys and active girls and they are bound to have loads of fun with it. besides using the wagon for pleasure and going visiting, boys and girls can use it to make money, running—or riding—errands, delivering packages, wheeling marketing home, etc. the disc wheel coaster wagon is so strongly built that it will withstand the roughest usage to which it may be subjected and will last for years. every boy and girl who wants one of the attractive and most desirable disc wheel coaster wagons should start today to sign up the necessary ten relatives or friends as home delivery subscribers for the washington times for six months. bear in mind that the ten persons whose signatures you obtain must be new subscribers—that is, they must be persons who are not having the washington times delivered at their homes at present. here’s hoping every boy and girl in washington gets a disc wheel coaster wagon before many days.