The Autobiography (Benjamin Franklin)

P. 128 (Guide for Interpreting)

1. When was Benjamin Franklin born? When did he die?

2. What were some of the many fields that Benjamin Franklin made contributions to?

3. How many brothers and sisters did Benjamin Franklin have? What does this tell you about families from this time period (infer)?

4. After leaving Boston, what did Franklin travel to Philadelphia to open?

5. How old was Benjamin Franklin when he retired from printing? What did he decide to focus on after retiring?

6. What were some of Franklin's inventions?

7. What did Franklin play an important role in drafting?

8. Which two countries did Franklin serve as ambassador to?

9. How old was Franklin when he wrote the first part of his autobiography? Did he ever finish his autobiography?

P.128 (Background for Understanding)

10. Through Benjamin Franklin's efforts. what was Philadelphia the first city in the colonies to have?

11. What is the name of the hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed?

P. 129 (Grammar and Style)

12. What is the difference between subjective and objective case pronouns?

P. 129 (Literary Focus)

13. What is the definition of a "autobiography"?

P. 131 (The Autobiography)

14. Critical Viewing: What does the expression on Franklin's face suggest about his personality (infer)?

15. Build Vocabulary: What is the meaning of the word "arduous"?

P. 132 (The Autobiography)

16. List the thirteen virtues Franklin lives his life by?

17. What does Franklin say he will do instead of mastering all 13 virtues at once?

18. Build Vocabulary: What is the meaning of the term "vigilance"

19. Franklin says that knowledge is obtained through the ears rather than the what? How would you restate this in your own words?

P. 133 (The Autobiography)

20. What does Franklin keep track of in his little notebook?

P.134 (The Autobiography)

21. Build Vocabulary: What is "foppery"?

Page 135 (The Autobiography)

22. Is Franklin ever able to reach perfection? How does he feel about this?

Page 135 (Check Your Comprehension)

23. In your own words, outline Franklin's plan to achieve moral perfection.

24. Explain why Franklin included Silence among his list of virtues.

25. Under the virtue of Order, Franklin lays out a basic daily schedule. What are the activities for which he provides time each day?

26. What aspects of Franklin's plan did not go as he expected?