Read the following passages and answer the questions that follow:
There was once an ugly boy whose name was
Socrates. He was undersized and he had a flat nose and bulging eyes, and he was
always rather shabbily dressed. His father was only a poor stone-cutter, who
helped the sculptors with their least important work. Socrates lived in Athens
about four hundred years before Jesus ‘Christ was born. Like other boys of his
age he went to school where the most important lessons were music and
gymnastics. He also learned some science and mathematics and a little about the
stars, but not nearly so much history and geography as children learn today.
This strange little creature with the short neck and plain face was a
thoughtful child. He allowed very few things to escape his notice and watched
his companions with the closest attention.
Socrates grew to manhood in a small house. He
was too poor to own fine furniture. Indeed, he never seemed to want either wealth
or beautiful things. As he grew older he began to think very little of bodily comfort
and pleasure, and to give his mind to all that was noble, honourable and just.
Questions:
(i) How many years ago did Socrates live?
(ii) How did Socrates’ father earn his living?
(iii) How did he watch his friends?
(iv) Why did he not own fine furniture?
(v) Did he hanker after wealth and beautiful
things?
(vi) What thoughts had occupied the mind of
Socrates when he grew older?
