WorksheetsCivil Disobedience Part 1: 1-5
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 13mins
The speaker's reference to "the present Mexican War" serves primarily to
propose an example of an inexpedient government in modern times.
support the author's perspective that government is extrinsic in society.
evoke sympathy from the reader by relaying a personal experience.
proclaim that the government reign should be minimal and minor.
reveal an example of a government failing to execute the will of the people.
Which of the following best describes the function of the third paragraph in relation to the two paragraphs that precede it?
It attacks society for their lack of motivation to reform.
It evokes the reader's negative emotions through effective diction.
It includes rhetorical questions to tie the first two paragraphs together.
It ridicules the practicality of civil disobedience in America.
It encourages Americans to question their opinions in relation to government.
The tone of the passage can best be described as
disapproving and regretful
conspicuous yet realistically
bias and prejudice
argumentative but reflective
meticulous and non-offensive
The principle contrast in paragraph 4 "Must the citizen...legislation?" serves primarily to
emphasize that moral correctness and legal correctness don't always align.
explain the correlation between moral and legal correctness.
convey how the majority owe their power to strength rather than merit.
show that moral correctness and legal correctness often overlap
illustrate the failings of a majority-ruled government.
The speaker's primary purpose in the passage is to
call attention to the flaws in their government.
empower Americans to fight for what they believe in.
support the way the government is being run.
prove the unjust ways of imprisonment.
motivate the readers to fight against the unjust government.
The word "inexpedient" in the context of the line "...but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient" (paragraph 1) is best interpreted to mean
morally wrong
excessively slow
absurd
bureaucratic
difficult
Which of the following statements are best supported by the passage?
Government will be abolished when men are ready for it.
All laws are in effect for the greater good of the governed.
Average citizens should have a voice in their government.
The American Revolution had the most impact in U.S. history.
The author feels great disdain toward his government.
When Thoreau said, "that government is best which governs least," he was in favor of. . .
big government, less choice for the people
little government, more choice by the people
foreign governments making decisions
The meaning of the metaphor in part 1 paragraph 2 suggest that
the government is inadequate
the government should not be involved in selling weapons
The government should not resort to violence
The government is responsible for the deaths of soilders
How does Thoreau’s statement, “I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government” (part 1, par. 3) relate to his earlier idea that “government is best which governs least” (part 1, par. 1)?
Based on Thoreau’s statement that “government is best which governs least” (part 1, par. 1), the “better” government (part 1, par. 3) Thoreau aspires to a government that interferes frequently in people’s lives.
Based on Thoreau’s statement that “government is best which governs least” (part 1, par. 1), the “better” government (part 1, par. 3) Thoreau aspires to a government that interferes only in the lives of a few people.
Based on Thoreau’s statement that “government is best which governs least” (part 1, par. 1), the “better” government (part 1, par. 3) Thoreau aspires to a government that interferes only in times of war and financial crises.
Based on Thoreau’s statement that “government is best which governs least” (part 1, par. 1), the “better” government (part 1, par. 3) Thoreau aspires to a government that interferes less in people’s lives.
How does Thoreau develop the relationship between conscience and government?
Thoreau uses repetitive phrases to imply that a government based on conscience would create a system that is fairest to members of the minority group
Thoreau asks a series of rhetorical questions to imply that a government based on conscience would create a system that is fairest to members of the minority group.
Thoreau uses a series of figurative language phrases to imply that a government based on conscience would create a system that is fairest to members of the minority group.
Thoreau uses a series of historical events to imply that a government based on conscience would create a system that is fairest to members of the minority group.
How does the comparison to “a single living man” (part 1, par. 2) develop an idea about government?
Thoreau develops the individual as being full of “vitality and force,” in contrast to the government, which is merely a “tradition” that is “each instant losing some of its integrity” (part 1, par. 2). This contrast demonstrates that strong beliefs give an individual “vitality and force,” while the government's weakening ethics make it less effective.
Thoreau develops the individual as being full of “independence and rebellion,” in contrast to the government, which is merely a “tradition” that is “each instant losing some of its integrity.”
Thoreau develops the individual as being full of “ideas” in contrast to the government, which is merely a “changing force” that is “not consistent with laws and punishments.”
Thoreau develops the individual as being full of “resentment and anger” in contrast to the government, which is merely “open minded” and flexible.
How does the wooden gun metaphor in paragraph 2 develop an idea about government and the people?
The metaphor of government as a “wooden gun” develops the idea that the government is stuck in traditional ways.
The metaphor of government as a “wooden gun” develops the idea that the government is has a stern rule.
The metaphor of government as a “wooden gun” develops the idea that government looks powerful but is actually useless.
The metaphor of government as a “wooden gun” develops the idea that the government is artificial.
What does the following question imply?
“Can there not be a government in which majorities do not virtually decide right and wrong, but conscience?”
That conscience should set the standard for deciding what is right and wrong.
That the majority should set the standard for deciding what is right and wrong
That the minority should set the standard for deciding what is right and wrong
That the physically strongest should set the standard for deciding what is right and wrong
What does Thoreau mean by the following statement?
“The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.” (part 1, par. 1)
Government should be limited.
People should criticize government.
Government can be manipulated for the benefit of a few individuals.
Government should control finances and foreign affairs.
What does Thoreau mean by the following statement?
The government is “liable to be abused and perverted before the people can act through it” (part 1, par. 1).
Government should be limited.
People should criticize government.
Government can be manipulated for the benefit of a few individuals.
Government should control finances and foreign affairs
What is the central idea of part 1 paragraph 1?
Government should be limited
Government should be used as an expedient
Government is easily manipulated
Government works
What is the central idea of part 1 paragraph 3?
Citizens should voice what type of government is respectable
Government should allow citizens to make laws
Citizens should leave the government alone
Citizens must respect the government no matter what
Who wrote Civil Disobedience
Henry David Thoreau
Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Franklin
George Washington
What is Thoreau point of view about majority rules?
he believes the majority is inexpedient
he believes the majority is always right and just
he believes the majority is ethical
he believes majority rule in all cases cannot be based on justice
