A
What is the main purpose of government?
A. To protect the rights of the people
B. To protect the life of people's things
C. To give people things
A. To protect the rights of the people
What are the three inalienable rights that all people have?
A. Food, Shelter, and Clothing
B. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
C. Life, Liberty and Death
B. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
How do natural rights, as described in the Declaration of Independence, differ from other rights?
A. People are born with natural rights.
B. People can vote to choose natural rights
C. Natural rights are given only to citizens.
D. Natural rights come from the government.
A. People are born with natural rights.
Why was the Declaration of Independence written?
A. to explain why the colonies were separating from Great Britain
B. the start the American Revolution
C. to offer a peace settlement to Great Britain.
D. to instruct how a county wins its freedom.
A. to explain why the colonies were separating from Great Britain
Read this excerpt from paragraph 2 of the selection.
That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and, accordingly, all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
Which excerpt helps the reader understand the word prudence as it is used in the paragraph?
A. to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men
B. it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it
C. should not be changed for light and transient causes
D. by abolishing the forms they are accustomed
C. should not be changed for light and transient causes
The list of complaints described in the selection helps to reinforce the author’s argument by —
A. providing evidence of poor treatment of the colonists by the British government
B. proving why the colonists have had to break British laws in order to be heard
C. showing the king how unfair the colonial governments are to their citizens
D. reinforcing the reasons for establishing stronger colonial governments
A. providing evidence of poor treatment of the colonists by the British government
Read paragraphs 15–24 of the selection. Which statement best expresses how the use of parallel construction in these lines supports the central argument of the selection?
A. The repeated use of verb phrases makes it easier for the reader to follow the logic of the argument.
B. The repeated use of verb phrases emphasizes that the offenses listed are direct actions and not just ideas.
C. The repetition of For at the beginning of each line demonstrates Jefferson’s authority on political philosophy.
D. The repetition of For at the beginning of each line highlights how many ways Americans have suffered under British rule.
D. The repetition of For at the beginning of each line highlights how many ways Americans have suffered under British rule.
Jefferson includes paragraph 2 of the selection to —
A. explain what the colonists were seeking when they left England
B. outline the political philosophy of government as seen by Jefferson
C. describe how the colonial governments are working with Parliament
D. illustrate how the colonists feel about their rights as English citizens
B. outline the political philosophy of government as seen by Jefferson
Jefferson includes paragraph 33 of the selection to —
A. outline the plan for the new American government
B. formally pledge independence from the British
C. blame British citizens for the king’s offenses
D. ask British citizens for help in working with the king
B. formally pledge independence from the British
Which two sentences describe Jefferson’s intended audience and how he uses the elements of an argumentative essay to reach them?
A. To appeal to the colonists, Jefferson presents a logical explanation of the purpose
of government.
B. To convince the colonists, Jefferson lists instances in which the British government undermined their rights.
C. To inform the colonists, Jefferson describes the steps necessary to revolt against the British government.
D. To gain the attention of the British government, Jefferson outlines the duties of government officials.
E. To present his argument for equality to the British government, Jefferson presents examples of legal decisions.
A. To appeal to the colonists, Jefferson presents a logical explanation of the purpose
of government.
B. To convince the colonists, Jefferson lists instances in which the British government undermined their rights.
This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Part A
Jefferson reinforces the idea that King George is responsible for the current state of unrest in the colonies by using —
A. hyperbole when explaining the king’s actions
B. overgeneralization when explaining the king’s actions
C. repetitive phrases when listing the colonists’ grievances
D. emotional language when listing the colonists’ grievances
A. hyperbole when explaining the king’s actions
Read the excerpt from paragraph 33 of the selection.
We . . . solemnly publish and declare, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, Free and Independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved . . .
What does the word absolved mean as it is used in the paragraph?
A. Forgiven for past wrongdoing or blame
B. Relieved after completing an imposed duty
C. Released from an obligation or responsibility
D. Declared to be free from bondage under the law
C. Released from an obligation or responsibility
Which idea does the following quote from the Declaration of Independence best support regarding the colonists' grievances against the king?
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records . . . (paragraph 6)
A. Dissatisfaction
B. Legitimacy
C. Equality
A. Dissatisfaction
Which idea does the following quote from the Declaration of Independence best support regarding the colonists' grievances against the king?
He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection, and waging war against us. (paragraph 25)
A. Dissatisfaction
B. Legitimacy
C. Equality
B. Legitimacy
Part B
Which two quotes from the selection best support the answer to Part A?
A. That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed . . . (paragraph 2)
B. He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
(paragraph 3)
C. He has made judges dependent on his will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. (paragraph 11)
D. In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress, in the most humble terms; our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. (paragraph 30)
E. They, too, have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. (paragraph 32)
A. That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed . . . (paragraph 2)
B. He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
(paragraph 3)
Jefferson includes paragraph 31 of the selection to —
A. formally declare that the colonists no longer recognize the British king
B. explain why the colonists have decided to go to war with the British
C. show that the colonists have tried to work with the British government
D. state that the colonists have reached out to British citizens for support
D. state that the colonists have reached out to British citizens for support
Which idea does the following quote from the Declaration of Independence best support regarding the colonists' grievances against the king?
And, for the support of this declaration, . . . we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. (paragraph 33)
A. Dissatisfaction
B. Legitimacy
C. Equality
C. Equality
Which argument most logically follows from Jefferson's expressed ideas in the Declaration of Independence?
A. The rights of men should be supported over those of women.
B. Monarchy is a bad form of government because rulers are not elected.
C. All forms of government destroy human rights and should be abandoned.
D. Any form of government that suppresses people's freedoms should be overthrown.
D. Any form of government that suppresses people's freedoms should be overthrown.
Who gives government the ability to govern?
A. PEOPLE
B. PARLIAMENT
C. THE KING
D. THE SONS OF LIBERTY
A. PEOPLE
How does the structure of Jefferson’s complaints strengthen his argument?
This structure emphasizes Jefferson's claim that the King has performed unjust actions against the colonies again and again. The long list of wrongs the king has committed shows how badly the colonists were mistreated and strengthens the case for independence.