To my Old Master Review

Read these sentences from paragraph 3.

At twenty-five dollars a month for me, and two dollars a week for Mandy, our earnings would amount to eleven thousand six hundred and eighty dollars. Add to this the interest for the time our wages have been kept back, and deduct what you paid for our clothing, and three doctor’s visits to me, and pulling a tooth for Mandy, and the balance will show what we are in justice entitled to. Please send the money by Adams’s Express, in care of V. Winters, Esq., Dayton, Ohio.

The businesslike tone in these sentences emphasizes that the author —

• relies on new friends in Ohio to help him in many ways

• has not significantly improved his position in life

• deeply feels the injustice of having worked as an enslaved person

•     expects to receive the monies owed to him

The author wrote this selection most likely to —

• attempt to get payment from Colonel Anderson for his years as an enslaved person

• show Colonel Anderson that his offer is unworthy of consideration

• guide Colonel Anderson to know why the practice of slavery is immoral

• explain to Colonel Anderson why he is unable to accept his job offer

The closing of the letter, From your old servant, is most likely meant to —

• contribute to the sarcastic tone

• make the reader angry

• show that the author misses his master

• end the letter on a happy note

Based on paragraph 4, the reader can most likely conclude that —

• Milly and Jane did not feel very safe or protected, even in Ohio

• Matilda and Catherine were enslaved and abused by their slaveholders

• the author believed he was likely to starve if he had to remain in Ohio

• the author believed Tennessee had built many new schools for all children

In paragraph 3, why does the author choose the word defraud to describe the actions
of Colonel Anderson?

• To suggest that Colonel Anderson is a criminal

• To imply that Colonel Anderson lied to him

• To point out Colonel Anderson’s misreading of the law

• To predict what Colonel Anderson’s decision will likely be

The tone of the selection can best be described as —

• angry, because the author refers to injustices he suffered when he was enslaved

• fearful, because the author is afraid that Colonel Anderson will come after him

• ironic, because there is a difference between what the author seeks and what he expects

• tolerant, because the author uses language that indicates he is willing to forgive Colonel Anderson

Read the dictionary entry for the word score.

score \skôr\ n 1. a numerical record of a competitive event 2. a result of a test or an examination 3. a group of twenty items 4. a grievance that is harbored and requires satisfaction

Which definition most closely matches the way the word scores is used in paragraph 3?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

Read this excerpt from paragraph 3.

As to my freedom, which you say I can have, there is nothing to be gained on that score, as I got my free papers in 1864 from the Provost-Marshal-General of the Department of Nashville. Mandy says she would be afraid to go back without some proof that you were disposed to treat us justly and kindly; and we have concluded to test your sincerity by asking you to send us our wages for the time we served you. This will make us forget and forgive old scores, and rely on your justice and friendship in the future.

Which two phrases most likely express the primary purpose of this excerpt?

• To make a request he knows Colonel Anderson will not fulfill

• To show that he is unsure about Colonel Anderson’s past actions

• To inform Colonel Anderson he is not interested in restitution

• To indicate that he finds Colonel Anderson’s proposal ridiculous

Read these sentences from paragraph 3.

At twenty-five dollars a month for me, and two dollars a week for Mandy, our earnings would amount to eleven thousand six hundred and eighty dollars. Add to this the interest for the time our wages have been kept back, and deduct what you paid for our clothing, and three doctor’s visits to me, and pulling a tooth for Mandy, and the balance will show what we are in justice entitled to. Please send the money by Adams’s Express, in care of V. Winters, Esq., Dayton, Ohio.

The businesslike tone in these sentences emphasizes that the author —

• relies on new friends in Ohio to help him in many ways

• has not significantly improved his position in life

• deeply feels the injustice of having worked as an enslaved person

•     expects to receive the monies owed to him

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Part A
What can the reader infer is most likely the author’s reason for writing this letter to Colonel Anderson?

• He has no desire to return, but he doesn’t want to give up hope that Colonel Anderson
  has really changed.

• He does not intend to return, but he wants to show Colonel Anderson how ridiculous he finds his request to be.

• He has every intention of returning, but first he needs to know that Colonel Anderson is serious about taking care of his family.

• He is considering returning, but first he wants Colonel Anderson to be aware of how much his mistreatment hurt his family.