Declaration of Independence

Which person is the best example of someone who demonstrates tyranny?

• a dictator
• a rebel
• a member
• a challenger

If you acquiesce to a plan, what is most likely true?

• You see drawbacks to it and want to modify it.
• You go along with it despite your reluctance.
• You want more time to consider other options.
• You disagree with it and will not participate.

If you claim that someone’s actions lacked rectitude, how do you think the person most likely behaved?

• rudely
• carelessly
• dishonestly
• self-importantly

Which quotation from the Declaration of Independence best supports the idea that the main purpose of a nation's government is to see that people's basic rights are protected?

• We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness….
• … [G]overnments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
• … [A]s free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do.
• … [To] secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.…

Which quotation from the Declaration of Independence best supports the idea that the American colonies are justified in rejecting British rule and setting up a new government?

• We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence.
• We, therefore, … do in the name and by authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare that these united colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states….
• But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.
• And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

Read this excerpt from the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights,..." Which of the following statements best explains what Jefferson means by “all men are created equal”?

• All people are equally provided with brains and talent.
• All people are entitled to equal treatment under the law.
• All people are equally qualified to hold high political office.
• All people are entitled to obey only the laws they agree with.

The Declaration of Independence states that independence has become “necessary” and that Americans “should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” Which of the following statements best expresses the point Jefferson makes with this language?

• Jefferson emphasizes that America has been forced into declaring its independence.
• Jefferson suggests that foreign allies have urged Congress to declare independence.
• Jefferson implies that Britain fully approves of Congress’s decision to declare independence.
• Jefferson explains that America never considered any action other than declaring independence.

In the Declaration of Independence, what is Jefferson’s purpose in listing self-evident truths?

• He is demonstrating that he has a factual basis for his argument.
• He is expressing the values that underlie his argument.
• He is drawing readers’ attention to his personal and strongly held opinions.
• He is creating a connection to the colonists’ attempts to reconcile with Britain.

In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson describes the king’s actions and policies as “absolute despotism,” “abuses and usurpations,” “repeated injuries and usurpations,” and so on. Which of the following statements best describes the purpose of such language?

• The language implies that powerful authorities disapprove of the king.
• The language provides logical evidence of the failings of the king.
• The language arouses readers’ emotions against the king.
• The language demonstrates justice and fairness toward the king.

Which of the following best explains why Jefferson describing the king’s actions and policies as “absolute despotism,” “abuses and usurpations,” “repeated injuries and usurpations,” and so on arouses readers' emotions against the king?

• The language is careful and tentative.
• The language is reasonable and fair.
• The language is dry and legal.
• The language is intense and extreme.