Literature and the American Revolution

Which word best describes Thomas Paine's tone in The Crisis, No. 1?

• mysterious

• pragmatic

• inspirational

• magnanimous

• elusive

What was the intended purpose of revolutionary pamphlets and articles, such as Thomas Paine's Common Sense and The Crisis, No. 1?

• to argue that the worldwide British colonies should unite and fight back against British domination

• to convince the American colonists to declare independence from Britain

• to inform the American people about the views and actions of the British Government

• to persuade American colonists to seek assistance from members of the British Parliament

The Crisis, No. 1

by Thomas Paine (excerpt)

As I was with the troops at Fort Lee, and marched with them to the edge of Pennsylvania, I am well acquainted with many circumstances, which those who live at a distance know but little or nothing of. Our situation there was exceedingly cramped, the place being a narrow neck of land between the North River and the Hackensack.Our force was inconsiderable, being not one-fourth so great as Howe could bring against us.We had no army at hand to have relieved the garrison, had we shut ourselves up and stood on our defence. Our ammunition, light artillery, and the best part of our stores, had been removed,

. . .

I shall not now attempt to give all the particulars of our retreat to the Delaware; suffice it for the present to say, that both officers and men, though greatly harassed and fatigued, frequently without rest, covering, or provision, the inevitable consequences of a long retreat, bore it with a manly and martial spirit.

Which statement best describes Thomas Paine's use of evidence in the passage?

• Paine used empirical evidence to support the claim that the Continental Army had performed creditably.

• Paine used empirical evidence to support his claim that Howe's Army had decisively defeated the Continental Army.

• Paine used anecdotal evidence to support his claim that the Continental Army had performed creditably.

• Paine used anecdotal evidence to support his claim that Howe's Army had decisively defeated the Continental Army.

The Crisis, No. 1

by Thomas Paine (excerpt)

By perseverance and fortitude we have the prospect of a glorious issue; by cowardice and submission, the sad choice of a variety of evils—a ravaged country—a depopulated city—habitations without safety, and slavery without hope—our homes turned into barracks and bawdy-houses for Hessians, and a future race to provide for, whose fathers we shall doubt of.Look on this picture and weep over it! and if there yet remains one thoughtless wretch who believes it not, let him suffer it unlamented.

Which sentence in this excerpt from Thomas Paine's The Crisis, No. 1 best summarizes Thomas Paine's method of persuasion?

• He provides empirical evidence to show that perseverance will lead to success in a prolonged war.

• He provides empirical evidence to show that the future will be bleak if the people do not act as he suggests.

• He appeals to his readers' emotions by imagining the consequences of not acting as he suggests.

• He appeals to his readers' emotions by portraying the benefits of engaging in a prolonged war.

Which of these sentences contains an adverbial clause?

• He told me where I could get some coffee.

• What she pointed out is very significant in these times.

• I do not know how to invest my money.

• Most animals thrive where they can find food easily.

Which two sentences state reasons for tension between the American colonists and the British political powers?

• The American colonists were alarmed by the large influx of common people from Britain.

• The American colonists strongly opposed the tax laws imposed by the British government.

• The American colonists were dismayed by the lack of support from the British government in the French and Indian War.

• The American colonists were angered by the presence of British soldiers who had found employment in America.

Select the function of the noun phrase in bold,

What I saw in the closet left me speechless.

• subject

• direct object

• object of a preposition

• predicative nominative

Select the function of the noun phrase in bold,

The scary movie that I watched is what kept me awake all night.

• subject

• direct object

• object of a preposition

• predicative nominative

Select the function of the noun phrase in bold,

When I was six, I learned how to swim.

• subject

• direct object

• object of a preposition

• predicative nominative

Select the function of the noun phrase in bold,

I was caught between what my conscience was telling me and what I wanted to do.

• subject

• direct object

• object of a preposition

• predicative nominative