READING 3 Albert Einstein: Refugee from Germany

Albert Einstein takes the oath during his citizenship ceremony.

ALBERT EINSTEIN

Refugee from Germany

Read the following article. Pay special attention to the words in bold. 7.5

Of the many refugees who came to the United States, one will always be remembered throughout the world: Albert Einstein. Einstein changed our understanding of the universe.

Einstein was born in Germany in 1879 to Jewish parents. When he graduated from college in Switzerland in 1900, he was planning to become a teacher of physics and math, but he couldn't find a job in those fields. Instead, he went to work in a patent1 office as a technical expert from 1902 to 1909. While he was working at this job, he studied and wrote in his spare2 time. In 1905, when he was only 26 years old, he published three papers about the basic structure of the universe. His theory of relativity explained the relationship of space and time. He returned to Germany to accept a research position at the University of Berlin. However, in 1920, while he was lecturing at the university, anti-Jewish groups often interrupted his lectures, saying they were “un-German.”

In 1921, Einstein visited the United States for the first time. During his visit, he talked not only about his scientific theories, but also about world peace. While he was traveling outside the country in 1933, the Nazis came to power in Germany. They took his property, burned his books, and removed him from his university job.

The United States offered Einstein refugee status, and, in 1940, he became a U.S. citizen. He received many job offers from all over the world, but he decided to accept a position at Princeton University in New Jersey. He lived and worked there until he died in 1955.

1 patent: a document that identifies the owner of a new invention.

Only the person or company who has the patent can sell the invention. 2 spare: free

COMPREHENSION Based on the reading, write T for true or F for false.

1. Einstein taught math and physics while he was living in Switzerland. 2. In 1933, Einstein returned to his university job in Germany. 3. Einstein developed his theory of relativity while he was living in the United States.