CMA Review #1

What is the meaning of the word languishing as it is used in paragraph 4?

• Bellowing

• Recuperating

• Fluctuating

• Despairing

• Transforming

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which quotation from paragraph 4 best illustrates the meaning of the word languishing as it is used in the paragraph?

• "nor has the anger and the bitterness of those years"

• "without hope or prospects for the future"

• "questions of race, and racism, continue to define their worldview"

• "all those who scratched and clawed their way to get a piece of the American Dream"

• "those young men and increasingly young women who we see standing on street corners"

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

In paragraph 11, Obama states, "Let us find that common stake we all have in one another", urging listeners to come together to find something in common with one another. Discuss the significance of this statement in the context of the speech.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Why might finding common ground between all citizens be important to the future of the United States? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

In paragraphs 13-15, Obama begins the majority of his statements with the words "this time". Why is this structure effective in helping Obama make his argument for change?

• It enables the reader to determine which of these suggestions for action are the most helpful in today’s society.

• It emphasizes Obama’s personal role in preventing racism in the 21st century.

• It compares and contrasts racism from the past with present-day racism.   

• It proposes a clear series of honest conversations that will be different than what we might have talked about in the past.

• It demonstrates how all races experience equal discrimination in modern-day society.

   

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Based upon Obama’s statements in paragraphs 13-15, why is it important that we change our approach “this time” on the issues of education, healthcare, and treatment of our veterans?

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Write a 5-10 sentence short essay in which you explain how presidential candidate Barack Obama builds an argument to persuade his audience to unite against racial discrimination. In your short essay, analyze how Obama uses one or more of the examples provided in the directions printed above the passage to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of his argument.