In 1749, Benjamin Franklin wrote “Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania”. This article served as a basis for the academy that he founded. The academy was a private secondary school, which offered a practical curriculum that included a variety of subjects and useful skills. English grammar, classic, composition, rhetoric (修辞学), and public speaking were to be the chief language studies rather than Latin and Greek. Students could also choose a second language based on their vocational interests. For example, prospective clergymen might study Latin and Greek; physicians could choose Latin, Greek, and French; businessmen might elect French, German, and Spanish. Mathematics was to be taught for its practical application to book-keeping rather than as an abstract intellectual exercise. History would be the chief ethical (伦理的) study. By studying biographies of great men, students were to learn moral and ethical principles. Franklin’s curricular proposal was especially noteworthy because it brought many practical skills into the formal school that so far had been ignored. They included carpentry, ship-building, engraving, printing, painting, cabinet-making, farming, and carving. With a prophetic (先知的) insight into the course of civilization and education, Franklin suggested that special attention be given to science, invention, and technology.By the mid-19th century, there were many academies functioning throughout the nation, especially at the secondary level. These academies offered a wide variety of curricula and courses, ranging from traditional Latin and Greek to very practical and utilitarian (实用的) studies. The late 19th and 20th centuries saw the emergence of high school and the junior high or middle school, which incorporated utilitarianism, vocationalism, and commercialism, such as Franklin had recommended in his proposals of the mid-18th century.1. Why was Franklin’s “Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania” used for?A) It was the basis for the public academies in America.B) It was the basis for operating public schools in Pennsylvania.C) It was the guidelines for operating academies in America.D) It was a basis for the academy set up by Franklin himself. 2. What did the chief language studies exclude at Franklin’s academy?A) Latin and French.B) Latin and German.C) Latin and Greek. D) Latin and English grammar.3. Which might be the better reason for students’ choosing a second foreign language?A) Mainly out of interest.B) Mainly out of curiosity about other cultures.C) To better fit into the future profession. D) To be a better linguist.4. Which statement can best describe the feature of the curricula offered at Franklin’s academy?A) They were challenging.B) They were practical. C) They were full of interest.D) They were interesting but unrealistic.5. What did Franklin emphasize about the curricula?A) Textbook knowledge.B) Abstract intellectual exercise.C) Theoretical studiesD) Science, invention and technology.

In 1749, Benjamin Franklin wrote “Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania”. This article served as a basis for the academy that he founded. The academy was a private secondary school, which offered a practical curriculum that included a variety of subjects and useful skills. English grammar, classic, composition, rhetoric (修辞学), and public speaking were to be the chief language studies rather than Latin and Greek. Students could also choose a second language based on their vocational interests. For example, prospective clergymen might study Latin and Greek; physicians could choose Latin, Greek, and French; businessmen might elect French, German, and Spanish. Mathematics was to be taught for its practical application to book-keeping rather than as an abstract intellectual exercise. History would be the chief ethical (伦理的) study. By studying biographies of great men, students were to learn moral and ethical principles. Franklin’s curricular proposal was especially noteworthy because it brought many practical skills into the formal school that so far had been ignored. They included carpentry, ship-building, engraving, printing, painting, cabinet-making, farming, and carving. With a prophetic (先知的) insight into the course of civilization and education, Franklin suggested that special attention be given to science, invention, and technology. By the mid-19th century, there were many academies functioning throughout the nation, especially at the secondary level. These academies offered a wide variety of curricula and courses, ranging from traditional Latin and Greek to very practical and utilitarian (实用的) studies. The late 19th and 20th centuries saw the emergence of high school and the junior high or middle school, which incorporated utilitarianism, vocationalism, and commercialism, such as Franklin had recommended in his proposals of the mid-18th century.1. Why was Franklin’s “Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania” used for?A)  It was the basis for the public academies in America.B)  It was the basis for operating public schools in Pennsylvania.C)  It was the guidelines for operating academies in America.D)  It was a basis for the academy set up by Franklin himself. 2. What did the chief language studies exclude at Franklin’s academy?A)  Latin and French.B)  Latin and German.C)  Latin and Greek. D)  Latin and English grammar.3. Which might be the better reason for students’ choosing a second foreign language?A)  Mainly out of interest.B)  Mainly out of curiosity about other cultures.C)  To better fit into the future profession. D)  To be a better linguist.4. Which statement can best describe the feature of the curricula offered at Franklin’s academy?A)  They were challenging.B)  They were practical. C)  They were full of interest.D)  They were interesting but unrealistic.5. What did Franklin emphasize about the curricula?A)  Textbook knowledge.B)  Abstract intellectual exercise.C)  Theoretical studiesD)  Science, invention and technology.