"Remarks on Signing the Bill Providing" ... & "An Apology"

PASSAGE 1:

How does the speaker introduce the bill that he is about to sign?

• by highlighting the widespread financial impacts of the bill

• by providing historical context that explains the purpose of the bill

• by referencing the hard work involved in the creation of the bill

• by specifying how communities will benefit from the bill

How does the speaker use rhetoric in paragraph 2 to advance his purpose?

• The speaker uses personification to highlight the difficulties of the problems facing the country.

• The speaker uses irony to illustrate the injustices of Japanese internment camps.

• The speaker uses metaphor to explain why the government perceived the Japanese as a threat.

• The speaker uses sarcasm to criticize the actions of the government throughout the war.

How does paragraph 7 refine the speaker’s ideas about Japanese Americans during World War II?

• Paragraph 7 emphasizes the ambition and aspiration they felt for military recognition.

• Paragraph 7 shows the anger and bitterness they felt about the losses they suffered.

• Paragraph 7 illustrates their heroism and allegiance to the country despite facing discrimination.

• Paragraph 7 emphasizes their shame and feelings of isolation from the rest of the country.

How does the allusion to “The Pledge of Allegiance” help develop the speaker’s point of view of the United States?

• The allusion affirms the speaker’s respect for the principles upon which the country was founded.

• The allusion expresses the speaker’s tolerance for the differing opinions that people hold.

• The allusion illustrates the speaker’s gratitude for the diversity existent throughout the country.

• The allusion reveals the speaker’s admiration for the strength that the founding fathers displayed.

PASSAGE 2:

Based on the context of the passage, what does contrition mean in paragraph 2?

• tolerance

• strength

• remorse

• blame

Which quotation from the passage supports the answer in Part A (remorse)?

• “…come together today to mark the first 175 years of the institution now known as the Bureau of Indian Affairs.” (paragraph 1)

• “…appropriate that we do so in the first year of a new century and a new millennium…” (paragraph 2)

• “…our leaders are reflecting on what lies ahead and preparing for those challenges.” (paragraph 2)

• “…reconcile ourselves to the fact that the works of this agency have at various times profoundly harmed the communities it was meant to serve.” (paragraph 3)

Reread paragraph 4. What impact do the phrases “deliberate spread of disease,” “decimation of the mighty bison herds,” and “tragedy on a scale so ghastly” have on the speech?

• The phrases express the speaker’s compassion for the terrible suffering American Indians endured.

• The phrases express the speaker’s consideration of the difficulty of resolving cultural differences between American Indians and the rest of society.

• The phrases express the speaker’s disapproval of the poor planning shown in the relocation of American Indians.

• The phrases express the speaker’s discomfort admitting that mistakes were made in the mistreatments of American Indians.

Which quotation from the passage best supports the speaker’s claim in paragraph 5 that the Bureau of Indian Affairs committed “futile and destructive efforts to annihilate Indian cultures”?

• “By threat, deceit, and force, these great tribal nations were made to march 1,000 miles to the west, leaving thousands of their old, their young and their infirm in hasty graves along the Trail of Tears.” (paragraph 3)

• “We will never push aside the memory of unnecessary and violent death at places such as Sand Creek, the banks of the Washita River, and Wounded Knee.” (paragraph 4)

• “This agency forbade the speaking of Indian languages, prohibited the conduct of traditional religious activities, outlawed traditional government, and made Indian people ashamed of who they were.” (paragraph 6)

• “Just like you, when we think of these misdeeds and their tragic consequences, our hearts break and our grief is as pure and complete as yours.” (paragraph 9)

What does advocate mean in this sentence? …the Bureau of Indian Affairs is at long last serving as an advocate for Indian people in an atmosphere of mutual respect…

• authority

• inspiration

• monitor

• supporter

Read the sentence from paragraph 7: These things occurred despite the efforts of many good people with good hearts who sought to prevent them.

How does the sentence refine the speaker’s ideas about the Bureau?

• by arguing that the Bureau is not solely to blame for the problems of American Indians

• by distinguishing the actions of the Bureau from the intentions of some of its employees

• by expressing that the Bureau must not dismiss the assistance it provided American Indians

• by illustrating the reluctance of some within the Bureau to acknowledge its mistakes