Declaration of Independence (Excerpt) — Exam

What is the stated purpose of the opening paragraph?

• To threaten war against Britain

• To announce new trade policies

• To explain why separation is necessary and must be publicly justified

• To request representation in Parliament

The claim “We hold these truths to be self-evident” most directly introduces which idea?

• Rights are granted by governments

• Certain rights are obvious and require no proof

• Equality applies only to property holders

• Liberty is a privilege, not a right

“Unalienable Rights” most nearly means rights that are:

• Earned by military service

• Granted temporarily by laws

• Immune from being surrendered or taken away

• Negotiated by treaty

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

According to the text, governments derive their “just powers” from:

• The monarch’s decree

• The consent of the governed

• The church’s blessing

• International recognition

What condition justifies altering or abolishing a government?

• High taxes alone

• Persistent failure to secure rights

• Foreign alliances

• A change in leadership

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

What is the function of the long list beginning “He has…”?

• To praise British reforms

• To supply factual evidence of tyranny

• To summarize colonial laws

• To present a peace offer

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

The line “Prudence…will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes” primarily serves to:

• Admit the colonists are impulsive

• Establish reasonableness and restraint in the colonists’ argument

• Excuse violence

• Dismiss history

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

The repeated opening “He has” in the grievances is an example of:

• Antithesis

• Chiasmus

• Anaphora

• Euphemism

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

The phrase “a decent respect to the opinions of mankind” indicates the authors’ concern with:

• International opinion and moral legitimacy

• British domestic politics

• Religious conformity

• Economic sanctions

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Overall, the tone toward the King in the grievances is best described as:

• Reverent and apologetic

• Neutral and bureaucratic

• Indicting and accusatory

• Humorous and mocking

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6