Benjamin Franklin was born into a large family. His father, Josiah, was a candle maker. His father wanted him to take over the family business when he grew up, but he wasn't interested. To help Ben decide on a career, Josiah took him on long walks around Boston so he could observe men doing the work of their trade. Benjamin learned how to do many things during these excursions, but he didn't want to pursue（追求，追赶） any of the trades.
When Ben was twelve years old his father sent him to his older brother James, who was a printer. Ben worked twelve hours a day in the printing shop, but still found time to educate himself. Though he only had two years of formal schooling, he taught himself foreign languages and read books on grammar, science, and math.
Later Ben went to Philadelphia. He started his own successful printing business and published a newspaper. People frequently quote（节选） from his sayings such things as, "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise" and “A penny saved is a penny earned”.
He invented the Franklin stove（炉子） which provided better heat for their homes. He refused to patent the Franklin stove and the lightning rod because he thought more people would benefit from the inventions if he did not patent them.
He proved that lightning and electricity are the same thing using a kite, string, and key in a thunderstorm. His experiments earned him fame. He was also awarded honorary degrees from Harvard and Yale even though he lacked formal schooling. He also worked to put an end to slavery in America long before others took up the cause. Some say when he died in 1790 the whole world went into mourning. 20,000 people honored him at his funeral in Philadelphia.
32. What does the underlined word "excursions" mean in the passage?
A. courses B. careers C. tours D. trades
33. How did the author describe Benjamin in the passage?
A. Admiringly. B. Humorously. C. Critically. D. Objectively.
34. Benjamin refused to patent the Franklin stove because .
A. he thought it not very perfect
B. he hoped he could help others
C. more people could invent it
D. the stove was not worth patenting
35. What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A. His experiments were exciting but dangerous.
B. His inventions saved African Americans.
C. His funeral is the biggest in American history.
D. His death is a great loss to the whole world.