Who is the greatest teacher in Chinese history? Many people would think of Confucius. Although he lived over 2, 000 years ago, people still remember and respect him for his contribution to the education today.

Confucius lived in the Kingdom of Lu, which lies in Shandong Province. He lived during the Spring and Autumn Period. He had a hard childhood. His father died when he was only 3. His mother brought him up. As a child, he had to work to help his mother, but young Confucius didn’t give up studying. He visited many famous teachers and learned music, history, poetry and sports.

Later, he became a teacher and started the first public school in Chinese history. At that time only children fromnoblefamilies could go to school, but Confucius believed everyone should go to school if they wanted to learn. He had about 3, 000 students in his lifetime.

Today, people still follow Confucius’ lessons. He told us that we all have something valuable to be learned. “When I am with three people, one of them must be better than me in some areas. I choose their good qualities and follow them”

He also taught us that thinking is very important in study. “All study but no thinking makes people puzzled（困惑的）. All thinking but no study makes people lazy.”

Confucius is not only a great teacher, but also a famous thinker with wise thoughts about the world and society. His most important teachings are about kindness and good manners. “A person should be strict with himself, but be kind to others.”

【小题1】Today we still remember Confucius mainly because __________.

A．he lived a poor life in his childhood

B．he lived during the Spring and Autumn Period

C．he traveled with his students from state to state

D．he had wise thoughts and great views about education

【小题2】Confucius learned music, history, poetry and sports __________.

A．by teaching himself at home	B．by visiting many famous teachers
C．by going to school	D．with the help of his mother

【小题3】The underlined word “noble” in Paragraph 3 has the closest meaning to “__________”.

A．poor

B．bright

C．cute

D．rich

【小题4】The correct order of the following statements is ___________.
①Confucius worked to help his mother as a child.
②Confucius taught about 3, 000 students in his lifetime.
③Confucius’ father died.
④Confucius started he first public school in Chinese history.

A．①③②④

B．②③④①

C．③①④②

D．④③①②

【小题5】Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

A．Confucius’ teaching ways.	B．Person who travels around China.
C．Confucius—great teacher and thinker.	D．Great man with happy childhood.