08/26/2025 Tue. Analyze "Speech in the Convention" (English III)

Multiple Choice

Why was the Constitutional Convention considered a high-stakes meeting in 1787?

• Because the Articles of Confederation were too weak

• Because it was a social gathering for the delegates

• Because it was held in a foreign country

Multiple Choice

Why does Franklin begin his speech by expressing doubt about the Constitution?

• To show humility and honesty

• To criticize the Constitution harshly

• To avoid responsibility

Multiple Choice

What does Franklin mean when he says, "Having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged...to change my opinions"?

• Experience teaches flexibility and wisdom

• He regrets his past decisions

• He never changes his mind

Multiple Choice

According to Franklin's logic, why should the delegates accept the Constitution even if it is not perfect?

• No human creation is perfect and this Constitution is 'good enough'

• They have no other choice

• It is the only constitution ever written

• It was written quickly

Multiple Choice

What solution does Franklin propose to maintain unity among the delegates?

• Keep criticisms private and present a united front

• Argue publicly about disagreements

• Let the public decide every issue

Multiple Choice

What lesson does Franklin draw from the biblical story of the Tower of Babel?

• People must work through disagreements

• People should always agree

• Language confusion is good for society

Dropdown

According to Franklin's final appeal, what he encourages others to adopt the quality of

Select answer

.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following was NOT mentioned as a reason why Franklin's 'Speech in the Convention' mattered?

• It was a model of compromise and pragmatism.

• It showed the importance of skilled leadership.

• It promoted rebellion against the government.

Dropdown

Franklin's basic argument was: Don't let perfect be the enemy of

Select answer

Open Ended

Do you think Franklin’s strategy, "Don't let perfect be the enemy of good." is one that might help in other situations? Explain.

Multiple Choice

According to Franklin, what has his long life taught him about changing opinions?

• Smart people never change their minds once they decide something

• Only weak people change their opinions about important matters

• Experience and better information can lead wise people to change their views

Multiple Choice

Franklin's reference to the Tower of Babel suggests that:

• Disagreement is a natural human condition

• The Constitutional Convention will definitely fail

• Language barriers are the biggest problem facing the nation

Multiple Choice

What does Franklin mean when he says the Constitution's errors should "die within these walls"?

• The Constitution has too many mistakes to be useful

• Delegates should present a united front

• They should burn all copies of the Constitution

Multiple Choice

According to Franklin, what depends on "the general opinion of the goodness of that government"?

• How much money the government can collect in taxes

• The strength and efficiency of any government

• Whether foreign nations will respect the United States

Multiple Choice

The overall purpose of Franklin's speech is to:

• Criticize the other delegates for their stubbornness

• Explain why the Articles of Confederation were better, despite being imperfect

• Convince delegates to support the imperfect Constitution

Multiple Choice

Based on Franklin's speech, identify which argument he makes in the following passage.

"I doubt, too, whether any other convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better constitution; for, when you assemble a number of men, to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion..."

This passage supports Franklin's argument that:

• Future conventions would produce a better document

• Human imperfection makes any convention's work imperfect

• Only a few people should write the Constitution

Multiple Choice

Based on Franklin's speech, identify which argument he makes in the following passage.

"Much of the strength and efficiency of any government, in procuring and securing happiness to the people, depends on opinion, on the general opinion of the goodness of that government, as well as of the wisdom and integrity of its governors."

This passage supports Franklin's argument that:

• Public perception of government affects its ability to function effectively

• Governments should ignore what people think about them

• Only happy people can have good governments

Multiple Choice

Based on Franklin's speech, identify which argument he makes in the following passage.

"I cannot help expressing a wish, that every member of the convention who may still have objections to it, would with me on this occasion doubt a little of his own infallibility, and, to make manifest our unanimity, put his name to this instrument."

This passage shows Franklin's argument that:

• Delegates should trust him more than themselves

• Delegates should admit they could be wrong about some things and sign the document.

• Only people without objections should sign the document

Match

Match each argument with Franklin's reason for making that argument:

• Complaints that the Constitution isn't perfect

• Delegates should keep criticisms private

• Everyone should doubt their own infallibility

Don't let perfect be the enemy of good

Public unity strengthens credibility

Intellectual humility allows compromise

• Don't let perfect be the enemy of good

• Public unity strengthens credibility

• Intellectual humility allows compromise

Open Ended

Explain how the Constitutional Convention influenced Franklin's speech by explaining his three main arguments as given in the notes.