Read the following passage about inventions and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 31 to 40.
A large number of inventions require years of arduous research and development before they are perfected. For instance, Thomas Edison made more than 1,000 attempts before successfully inventing the incandescent light bulb. [I] History is replete with examples of inventors failing repeatedly before eventually succeeding. [II] However, not all inventions are the result of relentless effort. [III] Indeed, some inventions come about entirely by accident, often when inventors are attempting to create something else. [IV] These accidental discoveries have profoundly impacted the world, proving that innovation sometimes relies as much on luck as on determination.
In the 1930s, chemist Roy Plunkett was trying to create a new substance for refrigeration. He mixed chemicals, placed them in a pressurized container, and cooled the mixture. The result was not a refrigeration material but Teflon, a substance now widely used to make nonstick cookware. Decades earlier, John Pemberton, a pharmacist in Atlanta, sought to create a tonic to relieve headaches. Though unsuccessful in his original goal, he inadvertently invented Coca-Cola, which became one of the most popular beverages in the world. Both Plunkett and Pemberton demonstrate how unintended outcomes can lead to groundbreaking products.
Accidental discoveries have also played a critical role in scientific advancements. In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, the first antibiotic, when he noticed that mold in a petri dish killed surrounding bacteria. This groundbreaking discovery has saved millions of lives and revolutionized medicine. Similarly, in 1946, Percy Spencer was experimenting with microwaves when he realized that a candy bar in his pocket had melted. Investigating further, he developed the microwave oven, a device that forever changed the way people prepare food.
These stories highlight the unpredictable nature of innovation. While persistence and hard work are often necessary, chance can also play an important role in shaping the modern world. Whether through deliberate effort or serendipity, accidental inventions have transformed industries, improved daily life, and opened new possibilities for the future.
(Adapted from https://oureverydaylife.com/)