Some of the notebooks George Washington kept as a young man are still in existence. They

show that he was learning Latin, was very interested in the basics of good behavior. in society, and was reading English literature.

At school he seems only to have been interested in mathematics. In fact, his formal education was surprisingly brief for a gentleman, and incomplete. For unlike other young Virginian of that day, he did not go to the College of William and Mary in the Virginian capital of Williamsburg. In terms of formal training then, Washington contrasts sharply with some other early American Presidents such as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. In later years, Washington probably regretted his lack of intellectual training. He never felt comfortable in a debate in Congress, or on any subject that had not to do with everyday, practical matters. And because he never learned French and could not speak directly to the French leaders, he did not visit the country he admired so much. Thus, unlike Jefferson and Adams, he never reached Europe.

11. Why didn’t Washington go to college？

A. His family could not afford it.

B. A college education was rather uncommon in his time

C. He didn’t like the young Virginian gentlemen.

D. The author doesn’t give any reason.

12. Washington felt uncomfortable in Congress debates because he.

A. lacked practice in public speaking

B. felt his education was not good enough

C. didn’t like arguing and debating with people

D. felt that debating was like intellectual training

13. The reason why Washington didn’t visit France was probably that he.

A. didn’t really care about going

B. didn’t know French leaders

C. couldn’t communicate directly with the French leaders

D. was too busy to travel

14. According to the author,().

A. Washington’s lack of formal education placed him at a disadvantage in later life

B. Washington should have gone to France even though he could not speak French

C. Washington was not as good a president as Adams, Jefferson or Madison

D. Washington was a model for all Virginian gentlemen

15. The main idea of the passage is that Washington’s education.

A. was of great variety, covering many subjects

B. was probably equal to those of most young gentlemen of his time

C. may seem poor by modern standards, but was good enough for his time

D. was rather limited for a president