Unfortunately, most schools are closed due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. You all must be missing the learning environment of your school and the playful laughter of your classmates. Today let’s learn about the history of schools.

Schools are great places to learn new things, educate yourself and make lots of new friends. The school system is not new but has existed for thousands of years in ancient Rome, India and China. In fact, the concept(概念) of education dates back to the very first humans who ever live on Earth. Cave men and women saw the need to pass their skills, knowledge and values to the next generation to help them survive. But as time passed, a higher-level society formed. Humans understood that a large group of children would be better educated if a small group of wise adults taught them about various subjects. Based on this, the early concept of the school system took birth.

The early schools were more focused on developing fighting skills and passing religious(宗教的) beliefs rather than teaching modern subjects we learn today. In the mid-17th century, with the rise of the age of Enlightenment(启蒙运动), people started to realize the importance of exploration through reading, writing and mathematics. In 1642, Massachusetts became the first colony(殖民地) to require basic education and set up various schools for kids in that area. But the modern school system usually went to an American named Horace Mann who was the secretary of education in Massachusetts in 1837. After he visited Croatia and saw its education, he put forward his idea for the educational system of professional teachers who could teach students and organize basic lessons and was followed by other states in America quickly. For this reason, Mann is often called “The Father of the Common School Movement” .

And by 1918, every state had required students to complete primary schools and the system kept improving throughout the 20th century. It leads to the high-leveled system we enjoy today.

【小题1】What is the passage mainly about?

A．The concept of education.	B．The history of schools.
C．How humans spread religious beliefs.	D．How a higher-level society formed.

【小题2】What was the purpose of the early schools?

A．To pass the skills, knowledge and values to the next generation.

B．To teach a large group of children about various subjects.

C．To teach high-level subjects as we learn today.

D．To teach fighting skills and spread religious beliefs.

【小题3】Which was the first colony where basic education was made a requirement?

A．Massachusetts.

B．Croatia.

C．Rome.

D．India.

【小题4】Why is Mann called “The Father of the Common School Movement” ?

A．Because he became the secretary of education in Massachusetts in 1837.

B．Because he set up various schools for kids in Massachusetts.

C．Because he visited Croatia and saw its education organization.

D．Because he came up with the idea for the educational system of professional teachers and other states followed it.

【小题5】Which order is right according to the article?
①People started to realize the importance of exploration through reading, writing and mathematics.
②Horace Mann put forward his idea for the education system of professional teachers.
③A small group of wise adults taught a large group of children about various subjects.
④Every state required students to complete elementary school by 1918.

A．①③②④

B．③ ④ ① ②

C．③ ① ② ④

D．④ ① ② ③