Read the article Ben Franklin, Writer and Publisher before answering Numbers 1 through 5. UNIT 6 WEEK 2 Ben Franklin, Writer and Publisher Benjamin Franklin was a master of all trades. He was a statesman, inventor, scientist, patriot, and philosopher. He was also an excellent writer and printer of books, pamphlets, and newspapers. His autobiography, letters, and published works made him famous in his own time. Franklin s ambitious projects had many positive effects on the citizens of Philadelphia where he lived, as well as on people throughout Colonial America. One of Franklin s passions was working at a printing press. When he was a young man, he began his career in printing and publishing by serving as an apprentice. In 1729, he bought a newspaper called the Pennsylvania Gazette, and he printed and wrote for the newspaper. Franklin believed in printing the truth, even if the truth was disliked by a majority of people. He also believed in presenting all of the different viewpoints on a topic. As a result, his newspaper became very popular with the citizens of Philadelphia and had positive effects on the public. Through his editorial columns, Franklin convinced the citizens of Philadelphia of his many innovative ideas for the city. His editorials resulted in the creation of new public services such as firefighters, a police force, a public hospital, and a library. It was not long before citizens began checking books out of the library and reading more and more. As the library grew, people from other cities would note how well-read the citizens of Philadelphia were. One of Franklin s most successful publications was Poor Richard s Almanac, which he wrote under the name of Richard Saunders. Like other almanacs of the time, his almanac was a collection of weather reports, farming advice, calendars, recipes, and predictions. But what set Franklin s almanac apart from others was its use of humor, wisdom, and cleverness. Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 6, Week 2 Grade 6 277
UNIT 6 WEEK 2 Many adages, or sayings, were scattered throughout each edition of the almanac. Most were not Franklin s very own. Rather, they were sayings he borrowed from the books he read and from his travels. His philosophical sayings showed his wisdom about marriage, friendship, virtues, and life in general. Some of his popular adages were: A penny saved is a penny earned. The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise. Fish and visitors stink after three days. Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship. Take time for all things. Poor Richard s Almanac was first published in 1732 and ran for 26 years. The almanac, with Franklin s witty adages and sayings, was published once a year and sold out quickly. As a result of its popularity, Franklin became widely read, making him both popular and well respected. Franklin s newspaper and almanac eventually made him a wealthy man. Because his finances were secure, he was able to devote time to his interests in science and invention. He would experiment with electricity and go on to invent the Franklin stove and bifocal glasses. But even today, Franklin s writings are still widely read and enjoyed. His works give historians a sense of daily life in Franklin s time and colonial America. 278 Grade 6 Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 6, Week 2
Now answer Numbers 1 through 5. Base your answers on Ben Franklin, Writer and Publisher. 1 How does the author show that the Pennsylvania Gazette became popular? A by comparing it to other newspapers B by showing that people wanted to know the truth C by showing the causes of the American Revolution D by showing the problems facing Franklin s publication 2 Read the adage, or saying, from the text. Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship. What does this saying mean? A Spend your money wisely. B Great ships cost a lot of money. C Give your money to those in need. D Stay away from those you normally trust. Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 6, Week 2 Grade 6 279
3 This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B. Part A: How does the author show why Franklin s almanac was popular? A by listing the problems Franklin wrote about B by showing the effect it had on the government C by contrasting it with other almanacs of the time D by explaining the steps of how it was put together Part B: Which detail from the text tells why the almanac was popular? A... people from other cities would note how well-read the citizens of Philadelphia were. B One of Franklin s most successful publications was Poor Richard s Almanac... C... his almanac was a collection of weather reports, farming advice, calendars, recipes, and predictions. D... what set Franklin s almanac apart from others was its use of humor, wisdom, and cleverness. 4 How does the author show the effects of Franklin s wealth? A by discussing how money caused problems for him B by comparing his life to the lives of other founding fathers C by explaining that he became rich after printing his almanac D by describing his experiments and inventions after he became rich 280 Grade 6 Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 6, Week 2
5 Draw a line that matches each saying on the left with its meaning on the right. Saying Take time for all things. Meaning People should not overstay their welcome. A penny saved is a penny earned. If you rush, you may make mistakes. Fish and visitors stink after three days. The less you spend, the more you have. Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 6, Week 2 Grade 6 281
UNIT 6 WEEK 2 Read the article As the Saying Goes... before answering Numbers 6 through 10. As the Saying Goes... Adages and proverbs are old, short sayings that have been repeated over long periods of time. Some well-known ones include: Don t judge a book by its cover. Two wrongs don t make a right. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Adages and proverbs are often based on common sense and experience. These sayings state general truths or give pieces of advice. People accept that there is some truth in an adage or a proverb. Adages and proverbs have quite a variety of origins. Many proverbs come from religious writings and offer advice to people about how to lead good lives. Nautical adages were a result of sailors early seagoing experiences on ships. Farm adages resulted from people s experiences growing crops and raising livestock. For example, the saying, Don t count your chickens before they are hatched, is a common farm adage. It means a person should not count on something before it happens. Sometimes the meaning of a saying is not clear. The adage, Don t look a gift horse in the mouth, is another farm saying. Years ago, farmers used to examine a horse s teeth to estimate its age. The meaning of this adage is that if you receive something from a person, such as a gift or favor, don t examine it too closely for any faults. Other common farm adages include, Don t let the foxes guard the henhouse, Don t try to teach a pig to sing, and You can lead a horse to water, but you can t make him drink. Many famous sayings have come from poets and playwrights such as William Shakespeare. Shakespeare was an exceptional English playwright whose plays date back to the late 1500s and early 1600s. Because his writing was so poetic,the theatergoers could not help but to repeat many of the best sayings long after the play was over. Perhaps you have heard the saying, A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. This is just one of Shakespeare s sayings from his well-liked play, Romeo and Juliet. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark is a famous saying from Hamlet. 282 Grade 6 Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 6, Week 2
UNIT 6 WEEK 2 Adages also come from the works of classical Greek and Roman poets. The story of the Trojan War is a poem written by the Roman poet Virgil. The saying, Beware of Greeks bearing gifts, is one familiar adage that comes from this story. The leader of the Greeks, Odysseus, devised a plan to get into the Trojan city of Troy. The Greeks constructed a huge horse and hid inside. The Trojans took the horse inside the city, believing that the Greeks gave up and left them a gift. Once inside, the Greeks were able to destroy the city. Today the saying has a more general meaning people should not trust their enemies! Sometimes people don t realize when they are using adages and proverbs because they have become woven into our language over time. Each time one is used, however, a connection to the past has been made. Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 6, Week 2 Grade 6 283
Now answer Numbers 6 through 10. Base your answers on As the Saying Goes.... 6 How is the text organized? A It explains how adages are formed. B It shows how adages solve problems. C It shows the steps to telling an adage. D It shows the problems that adages cause. 7 Read the sentence. Don t give a job to someone who will take advantage of you. Which adage from the text has the same meaning as the sentence above? A Don t judge a book by its cover. B Two wrongs don t make a right. C Don t let the foxes guard the henhouse. D A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. 284 Grade 6 Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 6, Week 2
8 This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B. Part A: How does the author show why people use some familiar sayings? A by telling the stories that led to the sayings B by showing some effects of popular sayings C by telling the problems related to the sayings D by comparing many different kinds of sayings Part B: Which detail from the text best supports your answer in part A? A Sometimes the meaning of an adage is not clear. B Adages and proverbs are often based on common sense. C A connection to the past is made every time an adage is used. D Farmers used to look at a horse s teeth to try to figure out its age. 9 Underline the word that best hints at the meaning of the adage. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 6, Week 2 Grade 6 285
10 This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B. Part A: How does the author explain the adage, Beware of Greeks bearing gifts? A by telling of the problems of war B by comparing the Greeks with the Trojans C by describing the effect of using horses in war D by explaining the poem that resulted in the saying Part B: Which sentence from the text best supports your answer in part A? A Adages also come from the works of classical Greek and Roman poets. B The leader of the Greeks, Odysseus, devised a plan to get into the Trojan city of Troy. C Today the saying has a more general meaning people should not trust their enemies! D Sometimes people don t realize when they are using adages and proverbs because they have become woven into our language over time. STOP 286 Grade 6 Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 6, Week 2