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Worksheets“The Tradesman Becomes a Philosopher”
Total questions: 18
Worksheet time: 14mins
What detail SHOULD be included in a summary of the text?
“He applied his knuckle to the key, and received an unmistakable spark.” (Paragraph 1)
“Their success was unmistakable; the results of these experiments were proclaimed throughout Europe.” (Paragraph 2)
“Both Yale and Harvard, in this country, conferred upon him the honorary degree of Master of Arts, and the Royal Society, in Europe, by a unanimous vote, elected him a member.” (Paragraph 4)
“For seven years Franklin continued to devote himself almost exclusively to this science, and he became, without doubt, the most accomplished electrician in the world.” (Paragraph 5)
What is the purpose of Paragraph 1 in this text?
To show how Franklin was nervous about completing an experiment because he could fail.
To explain the steps involved in his experiment.
To show that Franklin was a loving father and valued his family.
To show how dangerous the experiment was because of the weather
Part A: How does Paragraph 2 contribute to the reader’s understanding of the article?
This paragraph shows how Europeans were skeptical of Franklin’s intelligence and success.
This paragraph shows how Europeans wanted to take credit for Franklin’s idea, and performed the experiment themselves.
This paragraph shows the negative perception of Americans in Europe
This paragraph shows how France was the only country to believe Franklin because they were more “impartial” to Americans
Part B: Select a detail from this paragraph to support your response to Part A
“...they deemed the savage and uncultivated wilds of the New World....” (Paragraph 2)
“They were unwilling to acknowledge the reality of his experiments…” (Paragraph 2)
“...but in France, where an American would receive more impartial treatment, three of the most eminent philosophers...raised the apparatus Franklin had recommended to draw electricity from the clouds.” (Paragraph 2)
“Their success was unmistakable; the results of these experiments were proclaimed throughout Europe.” (Paragraph 2)
5. Which statement provides the central idea of The Tradesman Becomes a Philosopher?
Benjamin Franklin worked as a tradesman and made a small contribution to discovering electricity.
Benjamin Franklin worked as a tradesman and worked tirelessly to make the United States respected in Europe.
Although Benjamin Franklin was a tradesman, he made a significant discovery that gained him recognition as a respected philosopher.
Benjamin Franklin worked as a tradesman and worked with other philosophers to make contributions to the science of electricity.
6. How did the author introduce Benjamin Franklin as a philosopher in paragraph 1?
Through a diary excerpt that recounts the day Benjamin Franklin's kite experiment took place.
Through a tall tale that exaggerates the dangers of Benjamin Franklin's kite experiment.
Through an anecdote that illustrates an experiment that led to Benjamin Franklin's success
Through a memoir that documents the materials that Benjamin Franklin used in his experiment.
"Franklin...repaired to a field secretly...afraid of the ridicule of people." (paragraph 1)
"...unwilling to believe that an obscure American...was outstripping them in philosophical research." (paragraph 2)
Which claim do these two sentences support?
Benjamin Franklin wanted only to be given honorary degrees, but settled for what the philosophers from Europe were willing to give him.
Benjamin Franklin discovered electricity by accident.
Benjamin Franklin performed experiments with other scientists.
Benjamin Franklin provided advancements in the science of electricity, but struggled to gain the respect of other philosophers.
8. Which of the following paragraphs can be removed without losing support for the author's argument?
paragraph 1
paragraph 2
paragraph 3
paragraph 5
9. Which of the following is irrelevant to the claim that Benjamin Franklin was the most accomplished electrician in the world?
"...the results of these experiments were proclaimed throughout Europe."(paragraph 2)
“No one could deny that he merited a high position among the most eminent philosophers.” (paragraph 3)
“Both Yale and Harvard ...conferred upon him the honorary degree of Master of Arts...” (paragraph 4)
"At the same time his mind was ever active in devising new schemes for the welfare of humanity." (paragraph 5
10. Which of the following details should NOT be included in a summary of The Tradesman Becomes a Philosopher?
"Franklin tried his...experiment with the kite." (paragraph 1)
"Franklin had now obtained renown." (paragraph 3)
"...and he became, without a doubt, the most accomplished electrician in the world." (paragraph 5)
"At the same time his mind was ever active in devising new schemes for the welfare of humanity." (paragraph 5)
11. Read this sentence from the passage The Tradesman Becomes a Philosopher.
"They were unwilling to acknowledge the reality of his experiments; but in France, where an American would receive more impartial treatment, three of the most eminent philosophers…at different places, raised the apparatus Franklin had recommended to draw electricity from clouds." (paragraph 2)
Why did the author include this detail?
The author included this detail to prove scientists in France like American scientists more than they like European scientists.
The author included this detail to prove that everyone in Europe wanted to try out his experiments.
The author included this detail to prove that not everyone was writing off the accomplishments of an American tradesman.
The author included this detail to prove that France has the most eminent
12. Part A: Which statement BEST explains the author’s purpose?
To show that although Benjamin Franklin ultimately became a popular philosopher, his success was not easy to come by.
To explain the acceptance of Benjamin Franklin’s research.
To show how Benjamin Franklin was able to make electricity beneficial for everyone, even those who valued natural resources.
To explain the scientific process
Part B:
Which of the following paragraphs supports Part A?
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 5
14. Which sentence from the text reveals the author’s primary point of view or message?
“Franklin, accompanied by his son, repaired to a field secretly, being afraid of the ridicule of the people.” (Paragraph 1)
“[Many Europeans] were very unwilling to believe that an obscure American, in what they deemed the savage and uncultivated wilds of the New World, was outstripping them in philosophical research.” (Paragraph 2)
No one could deny that he merited a high position among the most eminent philosophers.” (Paragraph 3)
“For seven years Franklin continued to devote himself almost exclusively to this science, and he became, without doubt, the most accomplished electrician in the world.” (Paragraph 5
15. How does Paragraph 3 help develop the central idea of the article?
Paragraph 3 shows that because of his experiment, Franklin gained notoriety and respect from other renowned philosophers.
Paragraph 3 shows that although people did not want to believe Franklin could accomplish such an amazing feat, others eventually believed him.
Paragraph 3 shows that no one believed Franklin until other scientists tried his experiment and saw that it was successful.
Paragraph 3 shows that Franklin’s quest for fame and prestige was successful after his experiment.
16. Read the following excerpt from the text to answer the question below:
“He then drew in his kite … and returned to his laboratory probably the most exultant and happy man in this wide world.”
What is meant when Franklin is described as “exultant” in Paragraph 1?
He was nervous about how his experiment results would be perceived
He was triumphant because he knew his experiment was successful
He was disappointed because no one was present to witness his experiment other than his son
He was engulfed with emotion after all his hard work.
17. Part A: Read the following sentence from Paragraph 5:
“The most trivial events would often suggest to him measures conducive to the most beneficial results.”
What does the word “conducive” mean as it is used in this sentence?
Restricting
Unrelated
Instrumental
Pertaining
18. Part B: What sentence from Paragraph 5 best supports your response to Part A?
“...Franklin continued to devote himself almost exclusively to this science…”
“At the same time his mind was ever active in devising new schemes for the welfare of humanity.”
“It is said that Franklin saw one day in a ditch the fragments of a basket of yellow willow..”
“He planted it; and it became the parent of all yellow willows in our country.”
