"Our discussions were directed by a president and conducted as an honest search for truth. We were to avoid unpleasant arguments or a desire for victory. Any member who did not obey these rules had to pay a fine."
The Junto which Franklin organized continued for many years. It was the best group for the discussion then. The questions were given to the members during the week before they were to be discussed. This encouraged the members to read carefully about each subject so that they might speak with more understanding.
　　When the Junto was organized, before the middle of the 18th century, there were no public libraries. There was not even a good bookstore south of Boston. Franklin decided to improve this situation.
　　Each member of the Junto owned a few books. A room had been rented in which the members held the meetings. Franklin suggested that all the members should bring their books to the room. In this way the book would be a help to all during the weekly discussion. Also, each member would be allowed to take and read at home any book be chose.
　　Throughout his life, Benjamin Franklin continued his education, learning from human contacts as well as from books.

EXERCISE:
1. Benjamin Franklin stopped his education because his father could not afford the tuition.
A) True B) False C) Not mentioned
2. According to Benjamin Franklin, living happily and successfully lies in reading.
A) True B) False C) Not mentioned
3. He often read most of the night to finish a book that he borrowed from his bookseller friend.
A) True B) False C) Not mentioned
4. Every member of the Junto should present an article he wrote in regular intervals.
A) True B) False C) Not mentioned
5. Every time the Junto members met, each brought with him some questions for the group to discuss.
A) True B) False C) Not mentioned
6. Franklin organized a private library for the Junto because there was no public library in his city.
A) True B) False C) Not mentioned
7. The weekly discussions were held at Franklin's.
A) True B) False C) Not mentioned

Key: CABABAB





PASSAGE 19

Plants in Deser

　　Only special plants can survive the terrible climate of a desert, for these are regions where the annual range of the soil temperature can be over 75℃. Furthermore, during the summer there are few clouds in the sky to protect plants from the sun's ray. Another problem is the fact that there are frequently strong winds which drive small, sharp particles of sand into the plants, tearing and damaging them. The most difficult problem for all forms of plant life, however, is the fact that the entire annual rainfall occurs during a few days or weeks in spring.
　　Grasses and flowers in desert survive from one year to the next by existing through the long, hot, dry season in the form of seeds. These seeds remain inactive unless the right amount of rain falls. If no rain falls, or if insufficient rain falls, they wait until the next year, or even still the next. Another factor that helps these plants to survive is the fact that their life cycles are short. By the time that water from the spring rains disappears --- just a few weeks after it falls-such plants no longer need any.
　　The perennials have special features which enable them to survive as plants for several years. Thus, nearly all desert perennials have extensive root systems below ground and a small shoot system above ground. The large root network enables the plant to absorb as much water as possible in a short time. The small shoot system, on the other hand, considerably limits water loss by evaporation.

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