Gettysburg Address

Which of the following sentences BEST develops the idea that the country was at a point of transition?

• "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation."

• "...conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

• "Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether this nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure."

• "The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract"

Why does Lincoln mention the deaths of soldiers throughout the address?

• to highlight the need to prevent future deaths on the battlefield

• to highlight the need to recognize their sacrifices

• to explain that deaths are an unpleasant outcome of lengthy wars

• to explain the process of grieving for countrymen who have died

Why might this speech be useful for studying the causes of the Civil War?

• Lincoln describes American values that motivated soldiers to fight

• Lincoln blames the deadly battle on Southern aggression.

• Lincoln defends his decision to declare war on the South.

• Lincoln challenges traditional notions of liberty.

Lincoln claims that the Civil War…

• Brought forth a new nation on the continent

• Has tested whether or not a nation dedicated to liberty and freedom can endure

• Can only endure while soldiers are willing to give up their lives

• Has been the proper way to decide whether or not men are created equal

Lincoln encourages those listening to his speech to…

• Ensure that the soldiers did not die in vain by volunteering in the army

• Complete the great task of winning the war

• Dedicate themselves to remembering the brave men who sacrificed their lives by writing about it

• Honor those who sacrificed their lives by ensuring that the United States recommits itself to liberty

PART A: Which statement best summarizes the central idea of the speech?

• The influence of the founders on our nation should be limited since the country has changed and endured so much since the American Revolution

• The best way to honor the sacrifice of the dead Union soldiers is to continue fighting to preserve the nation and its values

• The Union soldiers who died in the Battle of Gettysburg were heroes because they guaranteed liberty for all Americans through their sacrifice

• Lincoln believes that the Union's efforts in the Civil War have been courageous and inspiring, but will most likely not lead to victory

PART B: Which phrase from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

• "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." (Paragraph 1)

• "We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field" (Paragraph 2)

• "But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground." (Paragraph 3)

• "It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced." (Paragraph 3)

What effect does the opening sentence have on Lincoln's message in the speech?

• It conveys a tone of great sadness, emphasizing the tragedy of so many lives being lost in the Civil War.

• It portrays the Civil War as a continuation of the United States' enduring commitment to liberty and equality

• It emphasizes how the United States lost the ideals of liberty and freedom fought for by the Founding Fathers

• It encourages listeners to remember that the Founding Fathers knew that slavery should not exist in their nation

When Lincoln says, in lines 20–21, “we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain,” he is encouraging his listeners to ____.

• seek revenge on those who killed the brave, proud soldiers. 
• finish the work of freeing all people who are held in bondage. 
• strengthen their support for the rebuilding of the nation  
• dedicate a portion of the field as a final resting place. 

Lincoln believes that victory in the war will result in _____.

• a full measure of devotion
• a new birth of freedom
• an altogether fitting and proper memorial. 
• a belief that all men are created equal.