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PASSAGE-6
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow-
Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts. He came from a big family. He had 16
brothers and sisters. When Benjamin was 15, his brother started the first Boston newspaper. It was called The New England Courant. He worked for the newspaper for a short time, but he was not happy. So, he went to Philadelphia and worked as a printer. In 1729, he bought a newspaper business. The newspaper was the Pennsylvania Gazette. He was very busy. In 1733, he started publishing Poor Richard’s Almanac. His pen name (the name he used as an author) was Richard Saunders. This book came out every year. Almanacs have information about weather and crops. They also have wise sayings. The wise saying “A penny saved is a penny earned” comes from Poor Richard’s Almanac. Benjamin Franklin was also an inventor. In 1743 he invented a very good stove called the Franklin stove. He invented swim fins. He invented bifocal glasses. He also invented the first odometer. He retired from his newspaper business in 1749. He stopped working on it. Then he became busy with science. Benjamin Franklin was also very interested in American politics. He helped Thomas Jefferson write the Declaration of Independence. In 1776, he and other people signed the Declaration of Independence. Franklin died on April 17, 1790. He was 84 years old.
1) Which newspaper did Ben Franklin buy?
A. The New England Courant B. The New England Gazette
C. Pennsylvania Courant D. Pennsylvania Gazette
2) What was Ben Franklin’s pen name?
A. Richard Franklin B. Richard Saunders
C. Thomas Jefferson D. Benjamin Saunders
3) He started publishing his almanac in…
A. 1729 B. 1733 C. 1743 D. 1749.
4) What did Ben Franklin invent?
A. Electricity B. Swim suits C. Bifocals D. Both B and C are correct.
5) What did Franklin write with Jefferson?
A. The Declaration of Independence B. The New England Courant
C. Poor Richard’s Almanac D. The Pennsylvania Gazette
6) Publishing means…
A. printing for many people to read B. selling in a large store.
C. inventing things D. giving advice.
7) Wise means…
A. intelligent. B. sweet C. kind D. ridiculous.
8) What ibis another way to say retired?
A. Earned B. Helped write C. Became busy D. Stopped working
ANSWERS
1. Pennsylvania Gazette 2. Richard Saunders 3. 1733 4. Swim suits
5. The Declaration of Independence 6. printing for many people to read.
7. intelligent. 8. Stopped working
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