Question

Perhaps it was his own lack of adequate schooling that inspired Horace Mann to work so hard for the important reforms in education that he accomplished. While he was still a boy, his father and elder brother died, and he became responsible for supporting his family. Like most of the children in his town, he attended school only two or three months a year. Later, with the help of several teachers, he was able to study law and become a member of the Massachusetts bar, but he never forgot those early struggles.

While serving in the Massachusetts legislature（立法机关）, he signed a historic education bill that set up a state board of education. Without regret, he gave up his successful legal practice and political career to become the first secretary of the board. There he exercised an enormous influence during the critical period of reconstruction that brought into existence the American graded elementary school as a substitute for the older district school system. Under his leadership, the curriculum（课程）was restructured, the school year was increased to a minimum of six months, and mandatory schooling was extended to age sixteen. He was also instrumental（起作用的）in improving salaries for teachers and creating school libraries.

Mann’s ideas about school reform were developed and distributed in twelve annual reports to the state of Massachusetts that he wrote during his tenure（任期）as secretary of education. Considered quite radical at the time, the Massachusetts reforms later served as a model for the nation. Mann was recognized as the father of public education.

During his lifetime, Horace Mann worked tirelessly to extend educational opportunities to the children of poor laborers. In one of his last speeches he summed up his philosophy of education and life: “Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity. ”Surely, his own life was an example of that philosophy.

1. Which of the following titles would best express the main topic of the passage?

A. The Father of American Public Education

B. Philosophy of Education

C. The Massachusetts State Board of Education

D. Politics of Educational Institutions

2. Which of the following describes Horace Mann’s early life?

A. He attended school six months a year.

B. He supported his family after his father died.

C. He was an only child.

D. He had to study alone, without help.

3. Which of the following statements best represents Mann’s philosophy?

A. Think in new ways.

B. Help others.

C. Study as much as possible.

D. Work hard.

 

Answer 1

答案：1A2B3B
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