Comprehension Story 8 - Young Benjamin Franklin

What is the main idea of this story?

(Main Idea)

Benjamin Franklin = Ben

• Ben improved the fishing area by providing a dock and in doing so became the hero of the town.

• Even though Ben meant well, he still made a mistake.

• Ben enjoyed fishing and would do whatever necessary to improve the area he fished at.

• Ben was an honest young man and when he borrowed the stones from the house, the owner overracted and called the police.

What is the main idea of the last paragraph in the story?

Ben...

(Main Idea)

• blamed his father for his mistake.

• would always remember his mistake and not repeat it.

• disagreed with his father's words.

• would soon forget his father's words.

Which sentence from the story shows that Ben regretted disappointing his father?

(Supporting Details)

• To the end of his life, Ben never forgot this conversation with his father.

• The boy approached and stood in front of his father's chair.

• "Father," said Ben, hanging his head at first, but then lifting his eyes to Mr. Franklin's face, "if it had been just for me, I would have never taken the stones."

• "If the owner of the stones built a house with them, then nobody would be helped except the owner of the house."

Which sentence from the story helps show that the workmen were angry with the children?

(Supporting Details)

• The worker immediately went to the police and complained.

• The judge said Ben and the other children who were involved in stealing the stones should be punished.

• "Those rascals who were here yesterday have stolen the stones to build a dock."

• The poor children still received punishment from their parents.

The reader can guess that...

(Inferences)

• The children were all in favor of building the dock.

• Mr. Franklin was in favor of building the dock.

• Only a few children agreed the dock should be built.

• The other parents were not upset with their children helping to build the dock.

Before Ben talked to his father, he believed

(Inferences)

• He was right to build the dock.

• He had made a mistake in building the dock.

• He should have put the stones back.

• He should have paid for the stones.

What caused Ben to believe it was right to take the stones and use them in a dock?

Ben...

(Cause and Effect)

• believed if the stones were used for a dock it would help all the children.

• thought the stones did not belong to anyone.

• thought the owner of the stones would be understanding.

• believed he could eventually pay the owner for the stones.

What caused Mr. Franklin to become upset with Ben?

Ben...

(Cause and Effect)

• built a dock.

• convinced the other children to build the dock.

• went fishing without permission.

• took something that did not belong to him without permission.

How does Ben's feelings about the dock change in the beginning of the story to the end of the story?

(Compare and Contrast)

• Beginning Ben thought building the dock was the right thing, but in the end he felt it was wrong.

• Ben didn't build the dock in the beginning, but at the end he was glad he had built the dock.

• Ben's feelings about the dock did not change from beginning to end.

• Ben only regretted not making the dock larger.

According to the story, how were Ben and the other children different?

(Compare and Contrast)

• Ben and the children all disliked standing in the quagmire.

• Benwore shoes and the other children did not.

• Ben had the idea about building the dock, and the others only followed the plan.

• Ben followed the plan, but the other children had the idea to build the dock.