Second Inaugural Address

Which choice best reflects one of the purposes of Lincoln’s speech?

• To emphasize the South’s role in causing the war

• To caution against ending the war too soon

• To reflect on the causes and effects of the war

• To outline the key historical events of the war

deprecated (dĕp’rĭ-kāt’ĕd) v 1. to express disapproval of 2. to belittle

When pronouncing the word deprecated, the most stress should be placed on which syllable?

• First

• Second

• Third

• Fourth

Read this phrase from paragraph 4.

but let us judge not, that we be not judged

The author most likely included this phrase to —

• suggest that both sides should be blamed for slavery

• convince his audience to consider the other side’s humanity

• provide a warning for his audience about the evils of slavery

• argue against a popular idea that each side holds too dear

In paragraph 4, the parallelism of sentences beginning with the words Neither, Each, and

Both functions as a way of —

• emphasizing that the war has gone on longer than expected

• making a comparison between those who wanted war and those who did not

• showing the similarities between the two sides fighting in the war

• implying that the two sides were not prepared for the realities of war

The author most likely uses a Biblical quotation near the beginning and at the end of

paragraph 5 to —

• make an appeal to emotion to believe in God

• make an appeal to authority that the war is just

• make an appeal to authority that slavery is wrong

• make an appeal to emotion that the suffering must end

Read this sentence about the selection.

In his speech, Lincoln addressed the true cause of the war, which he pointed out

was slavery.

How can this best be revised to make it a balanced sentence?

• Lincoln named the true cause of the war—slavery.

• The true cause of the war, said Lincoln in his speech, was slavery.

• Lincoln pointed out that the true cause of the war was slavery.

• Lincoln identified the true cause of the war—he named it slavery.

How does paragraph 6 contribute to the author’s premise?

• It tries to persuade the audience that both sides want the war to end.

• It calls on the audience to work toward a peaceful unification after the war.

• It encourages the audience to provide medical care for wounded soldiers.

• It attempts to convince the audience that they must rely on their faith.

What two words best describe the author’s tone in this selection?

• Angry

• Celebratory

• Hopeful

• Regretful

• Somber

Which two excerpts from the selection support the claim that Lincoln is working toward the

reconciliation of the North and South?

• While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to

  saving the Union without war. . . (paragraph 2)

• . . . but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would

  accept war rather than let it perish. (paragraph 2)

• Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less . . . astounding. (paragraph 4)

• Neither party expected. . . . Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease

  with, or even before, the conflict itself. . . . (paragraph 4)

• . . . to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and

  with all nations. (paragraph 6)

Who is the primary audience for the author’s message?

• Abolitionists

• All Americans

• Northerners

• Southerners