Speech in the Convention

According to his Speech in the Convention, what is Benjamin Franklin’s overall opinion of the proposed Constitution?

• He has some objections to it.

• He strongly disapproves of it.

• He considers it unimportant.

• He completely approves of it.

What is the main point of Benjamin Franklin’s Speech in the Convention?

• The Constitutional Convention should support the Constitution because the document is as good as it is likely to be.

• The Constitutional Convention should support the Constitution because its framers have always been right in the past.

• The Constitutional Convention should approve the Constitution, even though he himself cannot do so.

• The Constitutional Convention should not approve the Constitution because the document is too weak.

According to his Speech in the Convention, why does Franklin want the delegates to the Constitutional Convention to support the Constitution strongly despite any personal reservations they may have?

• because doing so will inspire public confidence and win their favorable opinion

• because doing so guarantees that the principles of the Constitution will be administered well

• because Franklin views the document as a product of their joint wisdom

• because Franklin believes that it is a perfect document

Given his statements in the Speech in the Convention, choose which of the following statements Franklin would most likely agree with?

• People should keep in mind that they may be mistaken in their opinions.

• People should work on a task until it is completed perfectly.

• People should not express opinions on important topics until they are certain of the facts.

• People should maintain their convictions no matter what opposing arguments are made.

If people are convinced of their own infallibility, which of these attitudes do they most likely display?

• They believe they are always right.

• They are shy and full of self-doubt.

• They are puzzled by complex issues.

• They have trouble making decisions.

If an activity is salutary, what would be its effect?

• a healthful effect

• a weakening effect

• a depressing effect

• a puzzling effect

In his Speech in the Convention, Franklin states the following.

… [W]hen you assemble a number of men, to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected?

What is Franklin’s purpose in posing the rhetorical question above?

• to argue that it would be unreasonable to demand an ideal Constitution from flawed human beings

• to emphasize that those who oppose the Constitution should draw attention to its serious imperfections

• to show that the character faults of the delegates seriously outweigh their joint wisdom, and the result will be poor

• to demonstrate that while those involved in its creation are flawed, the Constitution will still be a perfect document