RI2 Pre: Central Ideas and Text Analysis Assessment

What is a central idea in a text?

• The topic of the text

• The main point the author conveys about a subject

• A minor detail that supports the argument

• A historical reference included in the text

Answer explanation

The central idea in a text is the main point the author conveys about a subject. It encapsulates the primary message, unlike the topic, minor details, or historical references, which support or provide context.

How do central ideas typically develop throughout a text?

• They appear only in concluding paragraphs

• They remain static and unchanging

• They are supported and expanded by details, examples, and reasoning

• They are mentioned once and never revisited

Answer explanation

Central ideas develop by being supported and expanded through details, examples, and reasoning throughout the text, rather than appearing only in conclusions or remaining static.

What is essential for creating an objective summary of a text?

• Including personal interpretations

• Restating the main ideas without personal bias

• Adding creative embellishments

• Focusing on minor details

Answer explanation

To create an objective summary, it is essential to restate the main ideas without personal bias. This ensures the summary accurately reflects the text's content without personal interpretations or embellishments.

How do multiple central ideas interact within a complex text?

• They compete with each other for importance

• They build on one another to develop a complex account

• They exist in isolation from each other

• They confuse the reader intentionally

Answer explanation

Multiple central ideas in a complex text interact by building on one another, creating a richer and more nuanced understanding of the subject. This development leads to a complex account rather than isolated or competing ideas.

Based on the passage, what is the fundamental purpose of government?

• To protect individual rights

• To maintain absolute power

• To control the population

• To collect taxes

Answer explanation

The fundamental purpose of government is to protect individual rights, ensuring that citizens can enjoy their freedoms and live without fear of oppression, rather than maintaining absolute power, controlling the population, or merely collecting taxes.

Which statement best supports the concept of government authority coming from citizens?

Passage: Excerpt from The Declaration of Independence (1776)

(Thomas Jefferson, July 4, 1776)

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

• "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness"

• "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed"

• "We hold these truths to be self-evident"

• "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive"

Answer explanation

The statement "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed" directly supports the idea that government authority originates from the will of the people.

How does the passage develop the relationship between rights and government?

Passage: Excerpt from The Declaration of Independence (1776)

(Thomas Jefferson, July 4, 1776)

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

• By suggesting governments are unnecessary

• By explaining that governments should be unlimited

• By stating that people can alter failing governments

• By arguing that rights are less important than order

Answer explanation

The passage emphasizes that when a government fails to protect the rights of the people, it is their right to alter or abolish it. This highlights the relationship between rights and government, asserting that governments exist to serve the people's rights.

How do the concepts of equality and governmental power interact in the text?

Passage: Excerpt from The Declaration of Independence (1776)

(Thomas Jefferson, July 4, 1776)

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

• They are mutually exclusive concepts

• They work together to protect citizens' rights

• They are unrelated ideas

• They conflict with democratic principles

Answer explanation

The text emphasizes that equality is foundational to rights, and governmental power exists to protect these rights. Thus, equality and governmental power work together to ensure citizens' safety and happiness.

What function does the phrase "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" serve?

Passage: Excerpt from The Declaration of Independence (1776)

(Thomas Jefferson, July 4, 1776)

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

• It outlines fundamental rights that governments should protect

• It suggests economic goals

• It prioritizes happiness over other rights

• It limits rights to certain groups

Answer explanation

The phrase "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" outlines fundamental rights that governments should protect, emphasizing the importance of these rights in the formation and function of government.

What is the main argument presented in the passage?

Passage: Excerpt from The Declaration of Independence (1776)

(Thomas Jefferson, July 4, 1776)

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

• People have the right to establish governments that protect their basic rights

• Governments should never be questioned

• Only certain individuals should participate in government

• Government power should be absolute

Answer explanation

The passage argues that people have the right to create governments that protect their unalienable rights, such as life and liberty, and to change or abolish them if they fail to do so.