Question 20 - Reading and Writing Practice Test for the PSAT/NMSQT Exam

Although it is true that George Washington wore dentures after losing all of his natural teeth, the rumor that his false teeth were made of wood is untrue. Washington wore several sets of dentures over his lifetime, but only the first partial denture contained birch plywood. Subsequent sets of dentures were made from human teeth, perhaps including those extracted from enslaved people. He also had dentures made of ivory, brass, and gold. Washington was self-conscious about how his dentures fit and how they made him look, complaining that they made his lips bulge unnaturally. In addition to this ____, the dentures also caused Washington pain and discomfort and he sent them off for maintenance and adjustment regularly.