Informational Text Practice

Informational Text Practice

Directions

Read the paragraph on the next slide. Then answer the multiple choice questions that follow.

“The Whistle” is a letter written by Ben Franklin in 1779. In this correspondence, Franklin reflects on lessons learned from a negative childhood experience, and offers a friend advice.

From “The Whistle” by Benjamin Franklin

Yet I ought to have charity for these unhappy people, when I consider that, with all this wisdom of which I am boasting, there are certain things in the world so tempting, for example, the apples of King John, which happily are not to be bought; for if they were put to sale by auction, I might very easily be led to ruin myself in the purchase, and find that I had once more given too much for the whistle.

Multiple Choice

What is most likely Franklin’s purpose for including this paragraph in the letter?

• To demonstrate that he also feels sorry for boastful people.

• To demonstrate that he would be happier if he “gave too much for the whistle.”

• To demonstrate that he has been ruined by the lesson.

• To demonstrate that he is imperfect, and might still “give too much for the whistle.”

Multiple Choice

Which sentence or phrase from the passage best indicates Franklin’s purpose for including this paragraph?

• “with all this wisdom I am boasting …”

• “I ought to have charity for these unhappy people …”

• “the apples of King John, which happily are not to be bought …”

• “I might very easily be led to ruin myself in the purchase …”