🎓 The 2026 SHSAT is in November. Take the free 10-question diagnostic and see how you'd do.
SHSAT ELA · Reading Comprehension
Vocabulary in Context Practice Quiz
Determine word meaning from context clues. Answer all 8 questions below, then submit to see your score and an explanation for each question. Free, no account needed. This topic quiz helps you practice the skills used on the computer-based SHSAT.
Read the passage, then answer all 8 questions
Passage
from "Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" by Benjamin Franklin
In 1751, Dr. Thomas Bond, a particular friend of mine, conceived
the idea of establishing a hospital in Philadelphia (a very
beneficent design, which has been ascrib'd to me, but was
originally his), for the reception and cure of poor sick persons,
5
whether inhabitants of the province or strangers. He was zealous
and active in endeavouring to procure subscriptions for it, but
the proposal being a novelty in America, and at first not well
understood, he met but with small success.
At length he came to me with the compliment that he found there
10
was no such thing as carrying a public-spirited project through
without my being concern'd in it. "For," says he, "I am often
ask'd by those to whom I propose subscribing, Have you consulted
Franklin upon this business? And what does he think of it? And
when I tell them that I have not (supposing it rather out of your
15
line), they do not subscribe, but say they will consider of it."
I enquired into the nature and probable utility of his scheme,
and receiving from him a very satisfactory explanation, I not
only subscrib'd to it myself, but engag'd heartily in the design
of procuring subscriptions from others. Previously, however, to
20
the solicitation, I endeavoured to prepare the minds of the
people by writing on the subject in the newspapers, which was my
usual custom in such cases, but which he had omitted.
The subscriptions afterwards were more free and generous; but,
beginning to flag, I saw they would be insufficient without some
25
assistance from the Assembly, and therefore propos'd to petition
for it, which was done. The country members did not at first
relish the project; they objected that it could only be
serviceable to the city, and therefore the citizens alone should
be at the expense of it; and they doubted whether the citizens
30
themselves generally approv'd of it. My allegation on the
contrary, that it met with such approbation as to leave no doubt
of our being able to raise two thousand pounds by voluntary
donations, they considered as a most extravagant supposition, and
utterly impossible.
35
On this I form'd my plan; and, asking leave to bring in a bill
for incorporating the contributors according to the prayer of
their petition, and granting them a blank sum of money, which
leave was obtained chiefly on the consideration that the House
could throw the bill out if they did not like it, I drew it so as
40
to make the important clause a conditional one, viz., "And be it
enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that when the said
contributors shall have met and chosen their managers and
treasurer, and shall have raised by their contributions a capital
stock of——value (the yearly interest of which is to be applied to
45
the accommodating of the sick poor in the said hospital, free of
charge for diet, attendance, advice, and medicines), and shall
make the same appear to the satisfaction of the speaker of the
Assembly for the time being, that then it shall and may be lawful
for the said speaker, and he is hereby required, to sign an order
50
on the provincial treasurer for the payment of two thousand
pounds, in two yearly payments, to the treasurer of the said
hospital, to be applied to the founding, building, and finishing
of the same."
Question 1 of 8
Based on the passage, what can be inferred about Franklin's reputation in Philadelphia at the time Dr. Bond approached him?
Question 2 of 8
It can be inferred that the country members of the Assembly opposed the hospital petition primarily because they
Question 3 of 8
According to the passage, who originally conceived the idea of establishing a hospital in Philadelphia?
Question 4 of 8
What step did Franklin take before soliciting subscriptions that Dr. Bond had not done?
Question 5 of 8
Franklin most likely includes the exact legal language of the conditional clause in order to
Question 6 of 8
Which statement best expresses the central idea of this passage?
Question 7 of 8
As used in the passage, the word "flag" most nearly means
Question 8 of 8
How does the passage contrast Dr. Bond's initial fundraising approach with Franklin's approach?
0 of 8 answered
Free instant results and explanations
Continue your SHSAT preparation
Study math and ELA with targeted practice, worked explanations, timed sections, and practice exams.