RI4 Pre : The Gettysburg Address Analysis Assessment

(Delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863)

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate — we cannot consecrate — we cannot hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."

What does Lincoln mean by "Four score and seven years ago"?

• 47 years ago

• 87 years ago

• 100 years ago

• 77 years ago

Answer explanation

Lincoln's phrase "Four score and seven years ago" refers to 87 years ago, as a score equals 20 years. Therefore, four score is 80 years, plus seven years totals 87 years.

(Delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863)

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate — we cannot consecrate — we cannot hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."

Which phrase best expresses the connotative meaning of "conceived in Liberty"?

• Born from the idea of freedom

• Created through a democratic vote

• Formed out of military necessity

• Established under religious law

Answer explanation

The phrase "conceived in Liberty" suggests a foundation rooted in the principles of freedom and independence, making "Born from the idea of freedom" the best expression of its connotative meaning.

(Delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863)

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate — we cannot consecrate — we cannot hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."

What is the effect of Lincoln repeating the word "dedicate" in the passage?

• It emphasizes the importance of honoring the battlefield

• It suggests that only soldiers can truly dedicate the battlefield

• It shows that the speech was meant for military leaders

• It diminishes the importance of the battlefield

Answer explanation

Lincoln's repetition of "dedicate" emphasizes the importance of honoring the battlefield, highlighting the significance of the sacrifices made there and urging the living to continue that dedication.

(Delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863)

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate — we cannot consecrate — we cannot hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."

In the phrase "testing whether that nation... can long endure," what does "endure" most closely mean?

• To resist an enemy

• To continue to exist

• To defeat an opponent

• To become stronger

Answer explanation

In the phrase, "endure" refers to the ability of a nation to "continue to exist" over time, rather than resisting an enemy or becoming stronger. Thus, the correct choice is "to continue to exist."

(Delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863)

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate — we cannot consecrate — we cannot hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."

How does Lincoln refine the meaning of the word "dedicate" over the course of the passage?

• He shifts from a literal meaning of setting land aside to a figurative meaning of honoring sacrifice

• He initially uses it to mean "building a monument" and later to mean "winning the war"

• He uses it first to mean "military service" and later to mean "political victory"

• He equates it with legal ownership of the battlefield

Answer explanation

Lincoln refines "dedicate" from a literal sense of setting aside land for a memorial to a figurative sense of honoring the sacrifices made by soldiers, emphasizing the importance of their commitment over the physical site.

(Delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863)

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate — we cannot consecrate — we cannot hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."

What does Lincoln mean when he says, "we cannot consecrate — we cannot hallow — this ground"?

• The battlefield has already been made sacred by those who fought there

• The battlefield must be blessed by religious leaders before it is sacred

• The soldiers must return to the battlefield to dedicate it properly

• The battlefield is not important enough to honor

Answer explanation

Lincoln emphasizes that the sacrifices of the soldiers have already made the battlefield sacred. Their bravery and loss honor the ground, making any further consecration unnecessary.

(Delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863)

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate — we cannot consecrate — we cannot hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."

What is the figurative meaning of "gave their lives that that nation might live"?

• The soldiers' deaths allowed the country to continue existing

• The nation is a living being that the soldiers protected

• The soldiers' deaths gave new political power to their leaders

• The soldiers were sacrificed for economic gain

Answer explanation

The phrase "gave their lives that that nation might live" figuratively means that the soldiers' sacrifices were essential for the survival of the country, highlighting their role in ensuring its continued existence.

(Delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863)

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate — we cannot consecrate — we cannot hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."

How does Lincoln use contrast in the phrase "far above our poor power to add or detract"?

• To emphasize that the soldiers' actions are more meaningful than words

• To show that the government will continue adding to the battlefield

• To suggest that the citizens must take action to end the war

• To argue that future leaders should avoid commemorating the battlefield

Answer explanation

Lincoln uses contrast in "far above our poor power to add or detract" to highlight that the soldiers' sacrifices hold greater significance than any words or actions of the living, emphasizing their profound impact.

(Delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863)

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate — we cannot consecrate — we cannot hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."

Why does Lincoln use the phrase "final resting place" instead of simply saying "cemetery"?

• To evoke a solemn and respectful tone

• To imply that the soldiers will be forgotten

• To suggest that the war is coming to an end

• To criticize the government's burial process

Answer explanation

Lincoln uses "final resting place" to evoke a solemn and respectful tone, honoring the sacrifices of the soldiers. This phrase conveys dignity and reverence, which a simple term like "cemetery" would lack.

(Delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863)

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate — we cannot consecrate — we cannot hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."

What is the significance of Lincoln's use of the word "nation" throughout the passage?

• It shifts from a historical reference to an ongoing vision for the country

• It represents only the Union, excluding the Confederacy

• It refers to the physical land of the United States rather than its people

• It remains a constant, unchanging idea throughout the speech

Answer explanation

Lincoln's use of "nation" evolves from a historical context, emphasizing unity during the Civil War, to an ongoing vision of a united country, highlighting the importance of reconciliation and a shared future.