"Hints
to Young Housekeepers"
Take care that you know definitely what you can
afford to spend on your household expenses, and make it a point of conscience
never to exceed it. Pay with money that you have, if possible. But, if it is easier to pay on credit, never make
that an excuse for letting your bills pile up to more than you can afford.
Never buy
things at random, but ask the price of everything before purchasing. Take every pain to know the
quality of what you are buying beforehand. Never be ashamed to say you cannot
afford to have this or that. To be poor is not fun, but it is not a fault. To be rich is often a far greater misfortune.
The discipline of poverty will often strengthen a character which the luxury of
riches would weaken.
It is important to control your expenses
according to your own means, and not according to that of
your neighbors. What does it matter if some may sneer at your thread-bare carpets and frugal fare? The approval of your
own mind is far more important than the friendship of the vulgar-minded.
Above all things, keep a record of your accounts.
Without this you are like a
mariner without a compass or chart. You
don't know where you are, and before long you will find yourself on the rocks
of debt and difficulty. Extravagant housekeeping has been the cause of the most
serious evils…
Reading
Comprehension Questions
1) What was the author’s purpose in writing this
passage?
a.
to stress the importance of living within your means
b.
to explain how to become wealthy and respected
c.
to promote the benefits of buying with credit
d.
to list the responsibilities of a housekeeper
2) In the above passage, which of the following best describes
the author’s style when presenting the information?
a.
straightforward
b.
humorous
c.
defensive
d.
pessimistic
3) In the last line of the above passage, what is the author
saying is the “cause of the most serious
evils”?
a.
poor sanitation
b.
over spending
c.
wishful thinking
d.
penny-pinching
4) In the 3rd paragraph of the passage above, what
does the author say is “more important than the friendship of the
vulgar-minded”?
a.
creating and maintaining a strict schedule
b.
keeping your mind free of angry thoughts
c.
having satisfaction with your own decisions
d.
getting to know your close neighbors
5) In the above passage, the 3rd paragraph asks:
“What does it matter if some may sneer at your thread-bare carpets and
frugal fare?”
Which of the
following is the best way to paraphrase this question?
a.
“Who cares if people
snicker at your inexpensive things?”
b.
“Who cares if people whisper
that you’re too snobby?”
c.
“Who cares if people talk
behind your back about how you look?”
d.
“Who cares if people try to
copy the things you do?”
6) In the above passage, the final paragraph states: “Without this you are like a mariner without
a compass or chart.” This line is an
example of which of the following?
a.
idiom
b.
metaphor
c.
personification
d.
simile
Answer Key
1)
What was the
author’s purpose in writing this passage?
a.
to stress the
importance of living within your means
b.
to explain how to become wealthy and respected
c.
to promote the benefits of buying with credit
d.
to list the responsibilities of a housekeeper
2)
In the above
passage, which of the following best describes the author’s style when
presenting the information?
a.
straightforward
b.
humorous
c.
defensive
d.
pessimistic
3)
In the last
line of the above passage, what is the author saying is the “cause of the most serious evils”?
a.
poor sanitation
b.
over spending
c.
wishful thinking
d.
penny-pinching
4)
In the 3rd
paragraph of the passage above, what does the author say is “more important than the friendship of the vulgar-minded”?
a.
creating and maintaining a strict schedule
b.
keeping your mind free of angry thoughts
c.
having
satisfaction with your own decisions
d.
getting to know your close neighbors
5)
In the above
passage, the 3rd paragraph asks: “What does it matter if some may sneer at
your thread-bare carpets and frugal fare?”
Which
of the following is the best way to paraphrase this question?
a.
“Who cares if people snicker at your inexpensive
things?”
b.
“Who cares if
people whisper that you’re too snobby?”
c.
“Who cares if
people talk behind your back about how you look?”
d.
“Who cares if
people try to copy the things you do?”
6)
In the above
passage, the final paragraph states: “Without
this you are like a mariner without a compass or chart.” This line is an example of which of the
following?
a.
idiom
b.
metaphor
c.
personification
d.
simile