Declaration of Independence

Which of the following inferences about the Founders (authors) of this document is best supported by the following passage (Paragraph 2)?

"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."

• The Founders were unsure of their ability to bring about change.

• The Founders had been well-educated at elite universities.

• The Founders were once government officials in Great Britain.

• The Founders believed deeply in the importance of their cause.

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CCSS.RI.8.1

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CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Paragraph 2 of the excerpt mainly reveals... (lines 7-27)

• the Founders’ motivation for writing the Declaration of Independence

• a brief biography of the Founders

• some important criticisms of the Declaration of Independence

• the Founders’ goals for a new and improved government

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which of the following selections best explains the order in which the excerpt is structured?

• The text offers a narrative with a beginning, middle, and an end.

• Following a brief introduction, there is a thesis, supporting evidence, and a call to action.

• The entire text compares the situation in the States with the situation in Great Britain.

• The text defines a problem, then offers a summary of the problem.

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CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Which of the following best identifies a central idea of the Declaration?

• Government has no more power than the people give it.

• Gender, race, age, and sexual orientation do not factor in creation of laws.

• Religion has no place in government.

• States should not submit to federal restrictions.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which sentence or phrase from the text best supports the central idea of the Declaration?

• “He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.”

• Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.”

• 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”

• The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.”

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

The reader can infer from the following passage (Paragraph 33) that the Founders’ intent is .

"Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends."

• to sum up the argument that has just been outlined in detail

• to explain the steps already taken to address the problem

• to cite examples of the crimes Great Britain has committed

• to officially declare the formation of the United States of America

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CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

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CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Which inference is most strongly supported by paragraph 33?

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

• The Founders have spent a long time thinking about declaring independence.

• The Founders are making a decision based on a gut feeling.

• The Founders are likely to retaliate with violence.

• The Founders regret the decision to declare independence.

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CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Which meaning of right most closely matches its meaning in the following passage (Paragraph 34)?

… and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

• A. noun | moral or legal freedom

• B. noun | fairness

• C. adjective | correct or true as a fact

• D. adjective | ethically justified

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CCSS.RI.11-12.4

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CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which best describes Jefferson’s overall purpose in writing the Declaration of Independence?

• To entertain the colonies with a humorous story

• To inform Britain about colonial laws

• To persuade others that breaking away from Britain is necessary

• To describe daily life in the colonies

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

Which rhetorical appeal is most used in the grievances section, where Jefferson lists “He has…” repeatedly?

• Logos – logical reasoning and evidence

• Pathos – emotional appeals to injustice and anger

• Ethos – establishing credibility and moral authority

• Kairos – urgency and timeliness

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CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5