Speech in the Convention

According to his Speech in the Convention, what is Benjamin Franklin’s

overall opinion of the proposed Constitution?

• a. He strongly disapproves of it.

• b. He considers it unimportant.

• c. He has some objections to it.

• d. He completely approves of it.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

What is the main point of Benjamin Franklin’s Speech in the Convention?

• a. The Constitutional Convention should not approve the Constitution

  because the document is too weak.

• b.

  The Constitutional Convention should approve the Constitution, even though he himself cannot do so.

• c.

  The Constitutional Convention should support the Constitution because the document is as good as it is likely to be.

• d.

  The Constitutional Convention should support the Constitution because its framers have always been right in the past.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

According to his Speech in the Convention, why does Franklin want the delegates to the Constitutional Convention to support the Constitution strongly despite any personal reservations they may have?

• a.

  because doing so guarantees that the principles of the Constitution will be administered well

• b.

  because doing so will inspire public confidence in the delegates’ leadership

• c.

  because Franklin views the document as a product of their joint wisdom

• d.

  because Franklin believes that it is a perfect document

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

In his Speech in the Convention, what point does Franklin make most clearly in arguing that unanimity is an important part of the representatives’ acceptance?

• a.

  Unanimity shows that the government is strong and efficient.

• b.

  Unanimity makes the work of government leaders more pleasant.

• c.

  Unanimity proves that America’s enemies have mistaken opinions.

• d.

  Unanimity speeds up the process of making decisions for the nation.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

Given his statements in the Speech in the Convention, choose which of the following statements Franklin would most likely agree with.

• People should maintain their convictions no matter what opposing arguments are made.

• People should not express opinions on important topics until they are certain of the facts.

• People should keep in mind that they may be mistaken in their opinions.

• People should work on a task until it is completed perfectly.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.SL.11-12.3

If people are convinced of their own infallibility, which of these attitudes do they most likely display?

• a.

  They believe they are always right.

• b.

  They are shy and full of self-doubt.

• c.

  They are puzzled by complex issues.

• d.

  They have trouble making decisions.

In his Speech in the Convention, which of these views of government does Benjamin Franklin most clearly express?

• The government that governs least is best.

• Corrupt rulers breed disillusion and rebellion.

• Good governments are created by trial and error.

• Any well-run government can benefit the people.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

According to Franklin in his Speech in the Convention, how will approving the Constitution affect the country’s relationships with foreign nations?

• It will frustrate the hopes of nations unfriendly to the United States.

• It will cause all other nations to be jealous of the United States.

• It will show that the United States is superior to other nations.

• It will cause all other nations to see the United States as a leader.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

In his Speech in the Convention, which of the following courses of action does Franklin advise the delegates to follow?

• Allow future generations to be the ones to perfect the Constitution.

• Change the Constitution only in ways a majority of members approves.

• Try to ensure that the government the Constitution establishes is run effectively.

• Pass the Constitution even though some of its provisions should generally be ignored.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

In his Speech in the Convention, Franklin states, “The opinions I have had of [the Constitution’s] errors I sacrifice to the public good.” Which of the following statements best explains why Franklin feels that it is his public duty to overlook the Constitution’s errors?

• Franklin thinks that the people should not be informed about the details of the Constitutional debates.

• Franklin considers that the people have already indicated that they want the Constitution ratified.

• Franklin believes that swift agreement on a national government will be of great benefit to the people.

• Franklin knows that the people can always replace the government if it does not function satisfactorily.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.3

CCSS.RI.11-12.6