Remembering Childhood
Samuel Langhorne Clemens exhibited energy everywhere he went. He would swing from trees, chase critters, and jump in the river for fun. He thought life on the river was like a journey through a jungle. He had no fear of the river. By the time he was five, he had almost drowned several times.
Every day, Samuel tried to share his eagerness. He interrupted people to tell fantastic stories of his river escapades. When he was only five years old, his family worried about him. They thought he should attend school to learn valuable lessons. Being in school would be much safer for a young boy than exploring the river.
School was not Samuel's favorite pastime. There were too many rules to follow. If he failed to obey them, there were consequences. Even still, he hardly ever arrived at school on time. In class, he liked to tease his teacher. He sat through lessons in reading, grammar, mathematics, and a good deal of spelling. Even though he wanted to scout out the river for excitement, he somehow managed to learn. Samuel Langhorne Clemens learned to read, write, and spell very well, which gave him his future.
There was only one way this five–year–old boy felt comfortable in the classroom. It was by telling exciting stories about life on the river. Many people believed his stories, and those who did not still enjoyed them. There was no doubt that Samuel had a gift for language.
As Samuel grew older, he continued sharing stories. He enjoyed writing about the excitement of being a little boy on the river. By the time he was an adult, his stories became even more popular. Samuel's childhood energy and curiosity stayed with him in his many stories and books. They include memories of his childhood, and they continue to entertain his readers. Readers smile as they remember their own childhood, and they laugh at many of the characters' actions. The world will always remember this wonderful author known as "Mark Twain."
Multiple Choice Question
Which of the following provides the BEST summary of the text?
A.
There once was a boy who lived on a river. He enjoyed telling stories about his adventures on the river. He grew up to become Mark Twain.
B.
A boy named Samuel Clemens hated school. He would much rather tell stories about his life on the river. He grew up to become Mark Twain, the celebrated author.
C.
Samuel Clemens was an energetic boy who liked to tell stories about his life on the river. He was not too fond of school, but despite this, he learned to read, write, and spell. This served him well throughout his life because he grew up to become the well–known and beloved author, Mark Twain.
D.
When Mark Twain was a small boy, he loved to tell wild stories about his adventures on the river. It is not surprising that he turned these experiences into wonderful books such as Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer.