Question

Excerpt from The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

My elder brothers were all put apprentices to different trades. I was put to the grammar-school at eight years of age, my father intending to devote me, as the tithe of his sons, to the service of the Church. My early readiness in learning to read (which must have been very early, as I do not remember when I could not read), and the opinion of all his friends, that I should certainly make a good scholar, encouraged him in this purpose of his. My uncle Benjamin, too, approved of it, and proposed to give me all his short-hand volumes of sermons, I suppose as a stock to set up with, if I would learn his character. I continued, however, at the grammar-school not quite one year, though in that time I had risen gradually from the middle of the class of that year to be the head of it, and farther was removed into the next class above it, in order to go with that into the third at the end of the year.

Part A

What effect does the phrase “would learn his character" have on the meaning of this passage?

It implies that his uncle has an unusual personality.

It suggests that he is not talking about a real person.
It indicates he would train in his uncle's profession.

It proposes he will read his uncle's sermons.

Part B

How does the phrase “would learn his character" contribute to the passage’s tone?

It conveys amusement.

It reveals frustration.

It shows a feeling of disgust.

It creates a sense of regret.

Answer 1

part a: c. it indicates he would train in his uncle's profession.
part b: a. it conveys amusement.

Answer 2

Part A: It indicates he would train in his uncle's profession.

Part B: It conveys amusement.

In this excerpt, Franklin is describing his childhood education. He states that everyone believed he was going to be good at school, and encouraged his father to provide him with an education. He also describes how his uncle Benjamin had given him his volumes of sermons. He indicates that this was done in case he wanted to train in his uncle's profession. However, Franklin also exhibits some amusement as to the purpose of these texts and their connection to his future profession.