MCQ Practice: Powell

In the context of the passage as a whole, paragraphs 1–3 serve to

• establish a contrast between the two different organizations so that the speaker can explain why that contrast is so important.

• • identify factors that create contrasts between the two organizations so the speaker can then provide a critique of those organizations.

• • express the speaker’s concerns about the different positions he has held so that he can then focus on the common good that each position allowed him to accomplish.

• • orient the audience to a comparison between the two different organizations so that the speaker can then focus on what they have in common.

• • define the role of volunteers in the two different organizations so that the speaker can then celebrate those volunteers and their contributions.

In the context of the passage as a whole, the last sentence in paragraph 9 (“We talk to friends . . . enemies.”) serves as

• • an argument for allowing nonelected officials to serve in the Foreign Service and Civil Service.

• • a reminder of what can be lost if a Foreign Service and Civil Service volunteer makes a mistake.

• • commentary on the relationships between the United States and other adversarial nations.

• • an example of how Foreign Service and Civil Service volunteers focus on human rights as a priority.

• • evidence that the work done by these Foreign Service and Civil Service volunteers is sometimes difficult and dangerous.

Which of the following best describes the function of paragraphs 8 through 11?

• • They combine to define the roles of these volunteers.

• • They create a contrast between the State Department and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

• • They demonstrate the need for more people to volunteer for the Foreign Service and Civil Service.

• • They explain the need for the U.S. Diplomacy Center.

• • They describe the personality necessary to be a successful Foreign Service or Civil Service volunteer.

In the context of the passage as a whole, the questions, commentary, examples, and explanations provided in paragraphs 8–11 serve to

• • engage anyone who would argue about the roles those volunteers play as he tries to support their work.

• • assert his knowledge of those people and their work so that the audience will trust him more.

• • support the decision to build the U.S. Diplomacy Center in the heart of Washington, D.C.

• • generalize about the personalities of those volunteers.

• • appeal to the common values and interests of the American people, whom those volunteers represent.

Which of the following best describes the function of the second half of the last sentence (“where we can . . . throughout this city”) in the context of the passage as a whole?

• • It suggests that there are certain limitations to how we can celebrate the work and sacrifice of those who have not given their lives for their country.

• • It means to leave the audience with the impression that the U.S. Diplomacy Center has a fitting place among the monuments in Washington, D.C.

• • It restates the speaker’s celebration of volunteers who commit themselves to the success and safety of the United States.

• • It celebrates the successes of the people of Washington, D.C., in maintaining such beautiful and meaningful memorials and monuments.

• • It allows the audience to understand why the U.S. Diplomacy Center had to exist.

Which of the following does NOT occur as an aspect of the speaker’s line of reasoning?

• • Establish the grandeur and appropriateness of the setting in Washington, D.C.

• • Explain Foreign and Civil Service volunteers’ needs and wants.

• • Describe who he is and why he has been invited to speak.

• • Define the important roles of Foreign and Civil Service volunteers.

• • Narrow focus onto volunteers for Foreign and Civil Services.

The speaker makes use of narrative when describing

• • his greeting and acknowledgment (paragraph 1).

• • his first day as Secretary of State (paragraphs 2 and 3).

• • the needs and wants of the volunteers (paragraphs 4 and 5).

• • the monuments and memorials of Washington, D.C. (paragraph 6).

• • the importance of Foreign Service and Civil Service volunteers (paragraph 8).

Which of the following quotations best represents the thesis statement of the speech?

• • “They want to have a vision; they want to have a purpose: Why are we doing this? How does this serve the interests of the American people? How does this serve the interest of freedom and democracy around the world? How do we help the world?” (paragraph 4, sentence 3).

• • “They’re people of courage, people of competence, people who want to make sure the American people are safe and that we’re trying to bring safety to as many people in the world as we possibly can” (paragraph 5, sentence 4).

• • “We focus on human rights, on health, the environment. We talk to friends and adversaries, and we work with adversaries to make sure they do not become enemies” (paragraph 9, sentence 3).

• • “This is America to the rest of the world, that person at the window” (paragraph 11, sentence 2).

• • “It is only fitting, proper, and timely they get this kind of recognition through the U.S. Diplomacy Center, where we can demonstrate all that they have done and let it take its rightful place among all the other monuments and memorials and tributes that exist throughout this city” (paragraph 12, sentence 2).

The speaker is primarily concerned with addressing which of the following issues?

• • The necessity of honoring and celebrating volunteers for the Foreign Service and Civil Service.

• • The importance of placing the U.S. Diplomacy Center in Washington, D.C.

• • The dangerous yet critical work done by the Foreign Service and Civil Service.

• • Distinguishing between the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the State Department.

• • Explaining the role of Foreign Service and Civil Service volunteers.