1
Why did the author describe the battle with American troops in such detail?
A. To show the soldiers were unprepared for the battle.
B. To create a sense of danger and emphasize the difficulty of the battle.
C. To highlight the brightness of the midday sun during the battle.
D. To explain the layout of Washington streets during the battle.
B. To create a sense of danger and emphasize the difficulty of the battle.
In paragraph 1, what evidence shows that William is exhausted after the day’s events?
A. “Although my body is heavy from exertion, sleep escapes me.”
B. “With the sun to our backs, we marched through the morning.”
C. “My comrades would be alive and well were it not for this war declared against our King.”
D. “Finally, as the sun set on Capitol Hill, we reached the abandoned city of Washington, DC.”
A. “Although my body is heavy from exertion, sleep escapes me.”
"I tuck it away for safekeeping so that I may show it to you and all of England upon my return."
How does this sentence develop the relationship between William and his mother?
A. by showing that William values his mother’s opinion of his valor
B. by showing that William expects to become famous when he returns to England
C. by showing that William recognizes that his safety is of the utmost importance to his mother
D. by showing that William plans to see his mother before he reports his discovery to military officials
A. by showing that William values his mother’s opinion of his valor
How does the final paragraph, where William prepares for sleep after the day’s events, fit into the overall structure of the text?
A. It introduces a new battle plan for the next day.
B. It reveals a hidden American attack during the night.
C. It closes the letter calmly after the intense action, giving a sense of completion.
D. It begins a second conflict with the residents of Washington.
C. It closes the letter calmly after the intense action, giving a sense of completion.
Which sentence best shows William’s pride in serving his King?
A. “Although my body is heavy from exertion, sleep escapes me as I reflect on the day.”
B. “We had only one goal in mind: to send a message to the greedy American forces that the King’s men were not to be taken lightly.”
C. “Finally, as the sun set on Capitol Hill, we reached the abandoned city of Washington, DC without incident.”
D. “After filling our stomachs, we mustered enough energy to search the house for mementos of our victory that day.”
B. “We had only one goal in mind: to send a message to the greedy American forces that the King’s men were not to be taken lightly.”
How does the scene in which William observes the British flag over the city contribute to the theme?
A. It emphasizes the exhaustion felt by the soldiers after the battle.
B. It shows that the Americans had retreated in fear from the city.
C. It highlights national pride and the soldiers’ feeling of victory.
D. It introduces a new perspective of the city after the battle.
C. It highlights national pride and the soldiers’ feeling of victory.
Which detail from the text best supports the inference that the Americans left Washington quickly?
A. “Before reaching Washington, DC, eighteen of our men had perished from their wounds.”
B. “Assuring a safe distance from the fire, we have set up camp on Capitol Hill.”
C. “We met no resistance as we entered the President’s House.”
D. “Finally, my eyelids are heavy with sleep, and so I retire and bid you good night.”
C. “We met no resistance as we entered the President’s House.”
With which statement would the narrator most likely agree?
A. He believes Americans are courageous.
B. He believes sleep is unnecessary during times of war.
C. He believes that war provides a justification for harmful acts.
D. He believes the American soldiers commit treason against his King.
D. He believes the American soldiers commit treason against his King.
How does William’s choice to keep President Madison’s tricornered hat as a memento support the theme of loyalty and pride in victory?
A. It shows he wants to sell the hat for money.
B. It symbolizes his devotion to the king and proof of British success.
C. It reminds him of the hardships of the march.
D. It demonstrates his interest in American fashion.
B. It symbolizes his devotion to the king and proof of British success.
How does William’s point of view affect the reader’s understanding of the battle?
A. It gives a neutral perspective of events as they occurred that day.
B. It shows the battle from the Americans’ perspective in the city.
C. It allows the reader to experience the battle from a proud British soldier’s perspective.
D. It focuses on political causes of the war rather than personal experience.
C. It allows the reader to experience the battle from a proud British soldier’s perspective.
Why is the paragraph about setting the President’s House on fire important to the plot?
A. It explains what the soldiers did after entering the President’s House.
B. It describes the Americans’ defensive strategy during the battle.
C. It shows William reflecting on his personal feelings of regret.
D. It represents the climax of the British attack on the city that day.
D. It represents the climax of the British attack on the city that day.
What is explicitly stated in the letter about how the British treated the remaining residents of Washington?
A. They arrested all citizens they encountered.
B. They fired upon anyone they saw in the city.
C. They did not harm residents who stayed peaceful.
D. They forced the residents to feed the soldiers.
C. They did not harm residents who stayed peaceful.
Which sentence from the letter explains the narrator’s point of view concerning his role in the battle?
A. “My comrades would be alive and well were it not for this war declared against our King.”
B. “Maintaining our honor, we did not fire upon the few remaining residents as long as they did not take up arms against us.”
C. “We had only one goal in mind: to send a message to the greedy American forces that the King’s men were not to be taken lightly.”
D. “And then we endeavored to set the President’s House ablaze.”
C. “We had only one goal in mind: to send a message to the greedy American forces that the King’s men were not to be taken lightly.”
Why did the author include William’s reflection on the fallen British soldiers before describing the burning of the President’s House?
A. To show the personal cost of war and contrast it with the later victory
B. To prove that British soldiers were better trained than Americans
C. To create suspense about what the soldiers would do next
D. To give exact numbers for military records
A. To show the personal cost of war and contrast it with the later victory
Which detail illustrates that William respects his opponents, despite the conflict?
A. “We met no resistance as we entered the President’s House and explored the rooms inside.”
B. “Here, I proudly inspect the memento I chose—President Madison’s tricornered hat from the house.”
C. “Finally, my eyelids are heavy with sleep, and so I retire and bid you good night after the events.”
D. “Maintaining our honor, we did not fire upon the few remaining residents as long as they did not take up arms against us.”
D. “Maintaining our honor, we did not fire upon the few remaining residents as long as they did not take up arms against us.”
How does William’s inspection and safekeeping of President Madison’s tricornered hat fit into the structure of the letter?
A. It provides a moment of humor at the end of the letter.
B. It introduces the next military operation the soldiers would face.
C. It acts as a reflective moment concluding his account of the day.
D. It interrupts the description of the city to focus on personal items.
C. It acts as a reflective moment concluding his account of the day.
Which piece of textual evidence supports the inference that William feels proud of his country’s victory?
A. “I rejoiced in seeing the British flag waving gloriously over the enemy’s fallen city.”
B. “Finally, my eyelids are heavy with sleep, and so I retire and bid you good night.”
C. “My comrades would be alive and well were it not for this war declared against our King.”
D. “Maintaining our honor, we did not fire upon the few remaining residents.”
A. “I rejoiced in seeing the British flag waving gloriously over the enemy’s fallen city.”
Which statement best describes William’s point of view toward the Americans?
A. He pities the Americans for abandoning their capital.
B. He admires the Americans for their bravery in battle.
C. He believes the Americans are too weak to defend their city.
D. He views the Americans as greedy and deserving of punishment.
D. He views the Americans as greedy and deserving of punishment.
How does the scene in which the soldiers eat the abandoned feast contribute to the plot of the letter?
A. It delays their plan to burn the President’s House.
B. It shows the British soldiers’ fear of American ambush.
C. It adds a moment of triumph and shows the Americans’ hasty retreat.
D. It provides historical details about 1814 cooking methods.
C. It adds a moment of triumph and shows the Americans’ hasty retreat.
How does the author construct William’s point of view throughout the letter?
A. By including multiple viewpoints from different soldiers and their experiences.
B. By using first-person narration that describes his thoughts and actions in detail.
C. By focusing mainly on the Americans’ reactions to the British attack on the city.
D. By summarizing historical events without giving personal commentary from William.
B. By using first-person narration that describes his thoughts and actions in detail.
What effect does describing the abandoned feast in the President’s House have on the plot and setting?
A. It emphasizes the emptiness of the city and the Americans’ retreat.
B. It shows that the British soldiers were satisfied with their food that day.
C. It explains why the soldiers were delayed in reaching the city that day.
D. It provides specific historical details about American cuisine at the time.
A. It emphasizes the emptiness of the city and the Americans’ retreat.
In paragraph 3, what evidence shows that the soldiers intended to make a lasting statement to the Americans?
A. “After filling our stomachs, we mustered enough energy to search the house for mementos of our victory.”
B. “Assuring a safe distance from the fire, we have set up camp on Capitol Hill.”
C. “Here, I proudly inspect the memento I chose—President Madison’s tricornered hat.”
D. “And then we endeavored to set the President’s House ablaze.”
D. “And then we endeavored to set the President’s House ablaze.”
What effect does the first-person point of view have on the reader?
A. It allows the reader to experience the march and destruction through the eyes of a British soldier.
B. It explains the political causes of the War of 1812 in detail.
C. It creates a neutral, fact-based account of the burning of Washington.
D. It provides multiple perspectives on the battle from both sides.
A. It allows the reader to experience the march and destruction through the eyes of a British soldier.
What impact does William’s detailed description of the march into Washington, D.C., have on the development of the setting?
A. It shows how dark the night was when the soldiers entered the city.
B. It explains why the Americans refused to fight.
C. It proves the soldiers were lost on their way to the capital.
D. It helps readers picture the heat and exhaustion of the long journey.
D. It helps readers picture the heat and exhaustion of the long journey.
How does William’s point of view influence the reader’s perception of the burning of the President’s House?
A. It shows the destruction as seen through the Americans’ frightened perspective.
B. It suggests that the fire was accidental and not part of the plan of attack.
C. It portrays the act as a justified military achievement for the British soldiers.
D. It downplays the significance of the event and the damage it caused overall.
C. It portrays the act as a justified military achievement for the British soldiers.