Vocabs from “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July

The word obstinate is derived from the Latin prefix ob- and a word root meaning “stand.” Based on this information and your knowledge of the prefix ob-, choose the most likely meaning of the word obstinate in the following sentence. Becky was obstinate and refused to help her brother take out the trash.

• a. stubborn; in a way that “stands against”

• b. willing; in a way that “stands with”

• c. rude; in a way that “stands inside”

• d. independent; in a way that “stands apart”

The word obstructions is derived from the Latin prefix ob- and a word root meaning “pile up.” Based on this information and your knowledge of the prefix ob-, choose the most likely meaning of the word obstructions in the following sentence. Ryan explained to his boss that he was late to work because he had encountered several obstructions while driving on the highway.

a. things that move quickly and are “piled up behind”

b. things that aid and are “piled up toward”

c. things that encourage and are “piled up higher”

d. things that block and are “piled up against”

• a

• b

• c

• d

Select the answer choice that correctly identifies a verb phrase in this sentence. Douglass, the fiery abolitionist, believed that slavery should be abolished immediately and also that slaves should have been freed long ago.

a. Douglass, the fiery abolitionist

b. slavery immediately

c. and that slaves

d. should have been freed

• a

• b

• c

• d

In which sentence is a verb phrase underlined?

a. The white planners of the Fourth of July celebration must have been hoping Douglass would deliver a different type of speech.

b. For several months the officials had planned a joyous ceremony celebrating the many freedoms of the country.

c. Instead, the impassioned speaker surprised them by denouncing the traditions that held humans in slavery.

d. They feared the initially joyous audience may have been offended by Douglass’s accusations.

• a

• b

• c

• d

Select the answer choice that correctly identifies a noun phrase in this sentence. Douglass’s fierce, impassioned speech vehemently denounced the notion of celebrating liberty in a nation where many were enslaved.

a. Douglass’s fierce, impassioned speech

b. vehemently denounced the notion

c. of celebrating liberty in a nation

d. where many were enslaved

• a

• b

• c

• d

Select the answer choice that correctly identifies a noun phrase in this sentence from Douglass’s Fourth of July speech. To forget them, to pass lightly over their wrongs, and to chime in with the popular theme, would be treason most scandalous and shocking, and would make me a reproach before God and the world.

a. to pass lightly over their wrongs

b. chime in with the popular theme

c. treason most scandalous and shocking

d. before God and the world

• a

• b

• c

• d