Understanding the Constitutional Convention

What is the main idea of the passage?

• Delegates met in Philadelphia to declare independence.

• The Great Compromise solved the debate between large and small states.

• The Virginia Plan was accepted by all delegates.

• Congress has only one house called the Senate.

The word "bicameral" in the passage most nearly means:

• secret meetings.

• two-house.

• equal votes.

• large states.

What does the phrase "saved the convention" suggest about the Great Compromise?

• It ended the hot weather in Philadelphia.

• It prevented the meeting from breaking up in failure.

• It made small states give up all power.

• It created a king for the United States.

Which sentence from the passage best supports the idea that delegates were in conflict?

• "After weeks of arguing..."

• "Delegates from 12 states met secretly..."

• "Congress would have two houses..."

• "This 'Great Compromise' saved the convention..."

The author's main purpose in this passage is to:

• argue that small states were unfair.

• explain how a key compromise was reached.

• list all the plans at the convention.

• describe the weather in Philadelphia.

According to the passage, why did delegates decide to meet in secret?

• To encourage honest debate.

• To hide from the British army.

• Because George Washington ordered it.

• To write a new Declaration of Independence.

What can you infer about James Madison from the sentence "James Madison took detailed secret notes anyway"?

• He was the youngest delegate.

• He was willing to break a rule to preserve history.

• He disagreed with the secrecy rule.

• He shared the notes with Patrick Henry.

The quote "We must all hang together or we will all hang separately" implies that:

• delegates faced execution if they failed.

• delegates needed to cooperate or risk disaster.

• Franklin wanted to punish small states.

• The convention was a dangerous place.

Which of these is an example of personification in the passage?

• "Delegates voted to keep all discussions secret."

• "James Madison took detailed secret notes anyway."

• "I smelt a rat" (Patrick Henry).

• "By September 17, 39 delegates signed..."

The passage is organized mainly by:

• chronological order (time sequence).

• compare and contrast (large vs. small states).

• cause and effect (why secrecy was needed).

• problem and solution (weaknesses of Articles).