The Boyhood of Einstein
Albert Einstein is one of the greatest scientists of all time. What was he like when he was only a
child? Was he very much different from other boys of his age? This lesson tells something of his
boyhood.
One day, ten-year-old Albert Einstein asked his uncle, “ What is algebra?” Uncle Jacob lived
with the Einsteins. He was accustomed to many questions from the boy, and replied with a smile,
“ Algebra is lazy kind of mathematics. When you don’t know something, you call it x and look for
it. ” To Albert, this humorous remark led him into a whole new world.
Anyone who gave him a book of algebra was his friend. He would work hard over these
books until he mastered them except two or three problems. His teachers were surprised by his
intelligence in mathematics.
The Einsteins lived in the suburbs of Munich. His father was interested in literature. His
mother loved music. In the evenings, the friends of Albert’s father and uncle Jacob would drop in
to listen to music together.
By the time Albert was fourteen, one of his teachers was embarrassed by the questions he
asked in class. He kept Albert after class.
“ I must tell you something, Albert.”
“ Yes, sir.”
“ Please don’t ask me any questions which I can’t answer in class. ”
“ I am sorry, sir. But I want to know …….”
“ Yes, yes ! The whole world wants to know the answers to your questions. I must ask you not to
give me any more trouble. ”
We don’t know whether the boy agreed or not, but perhaps this teacher had caught a glimpse of the
great future ahead of Einstein.
The Boyhood of Einstein
II. Listening Comprehension
A. Choose the correct answer
選出正確答案
1. Who is Albert Einstein ?
A. He is a musician
B. He is a scientist
C. He is a dancer
D. He is a painter
2. Whom did uncle Jacob live with ?
A. He lived with the Einsteins
B. He lived alone
C. He lived with his friends
D. He lived with the Browns
3. Who might become Einstein’s friends ?
A. Anyone who gave him a book of music.
B. Anyone who bought him a toy.
C. Anyone who gave him a book of algebra.
D. Anyone who played basketball with him.
4. What did Einstein’s teacher ask him to do in class ?
A. Stop asking questions.
B. Stop laughing.
C. Stop writing.
D. Stop talking to his classmates.
5. When did the Einsteins listen to music together ?
A. In the mornings
B. In the afternoons
C. In the evenings
D. On Sundays
Answer
1. B 2. A
3. C
4. A
5. C
B. Listen to the sentence and choose the word you hear
選出你所聽到的字
1. He was accustomed to many questions from the boy.
A. accustomed
B. lived
C. replied
D. worked
2. This humorous remark led him into a whole new world.
A. lovely
B. romantic
C. lazy
D. humorous
3. Albert’s happy home was in the suburbs of Munich.
A. gardens
B. suburbs
C. schools
D. parks
4. I must ask you not to give me any more trouble.
A. trade
B. truck
C. trouble
D. travel
5. The whole world wants to know the answers to your questions.
A. whole
B. when
C. while
D. who
Answer
1. A
2. D
3. B
4. C
5. A