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Speech to the Virginia Convention

Total questions: 16

Worksheet time: 30mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Henry points out a contradiction between British...

a)

claims of peaceful intent and their growing military presence in America.

b)

settlement of America and maintenance of their government in Britain.

c)

interest in the Colonies and neglect of the colonists' needs.

d)

democratic tradition and the institution of royalty.

2.

Henry advocates immediate action by the colonists because the...

a)

British army is preparing to march into Virginia.

b)

king is too far away to order a quick response.

c)

conflict has already begun and the colonists have no choice but to fight.

d)

colonists will become apathetic or unconcerned if they don't act.

3.

The MAIN purpose of Patrick Henry's speech is to...

a)

convince the delegates that he should be chosen to lead the revolution.

b)

describe the history of British colonization in America.

c)

seek revenge for personal injuries committed by the British king.

d)

persuade his fellow delegates to fight against the British.

4.

The following quote is an example of which rhetorical device?

"We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne."

a)

epistrophe

b)

antithesis

c)

allusion

d)

anaphora

5.

"The millions of people armed in the holy cause of liberty are invincible by any force which our enemy sends against us!"

a)

Logos

b)

Allusion

c)

Rhetorical Quetsion

d)

Repetition

6.

What is the effect of the rhetorical questions? What is he trying to get the colonists to question? “Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love...No, sir, she has none.”

4 lines
7.

Henry seeks to dissuade the delegates from resorting to argument because...

a)

the British might take recourse to military action.

b)

after ten years all attempts at argument have been exhausted.

c)

more can be achieved through reason than through hotheaded exchanges.

d)

words can never settle anything.

8.

What is the rhetorical choice? "We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves..."

a)

Anaphora

b)

Parallel structure

c)

Epistrophe

d)

Metaphor

9.

Why does Henry include another lengthy example of anaphora? What is its effect? "Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded"

4 lines
10.

"The next gale (storm) that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms!"

a)

Allusion

b)

Metaphor

c)

Onomatopoeia

d)

Alliteration

11.

What does Patrick Henry claim is the only option left to the Americans?

a)

Surrender

b)

War

c)

Petitioning

d)

Reasoning

12.

What is the figurative language and its effect? "We must fight! I repeat it sir, we must fight!"

a)

Epistrophe- emphasizes his plea to Britain.

b)

Anaphora- emphasizes his declaration and develop a sense of urgency.

c)

Epistrophe- emphasizes his declaration and develop a sense of urgency.

d)

Anaphora-emphasizes his plea to Britain.

13.

According to Patrick Henry, who else will be "on their side"?

a)

God and allies

b)

God and the British

c)

All 13 colonies

d)

The religiously just

14.

What are the two types of figurative language in "it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave"?

a)

asyndeton

b)

parallel structure

c)

epistrophe

d)

polysyndeton

15.

When Henry uses the words "chains and slavery" near the end of his speech, he is referring to the...

a)

situation of African Americans in the Colonies.

b)

consequence he does not want people to pay for temporary peace.

c)

possibility of enslaving British troops.

d)

fact that the English will literally enslave the colonists and send the to Australia

16.

What types of figurative language are in the final lines of par. 3? "Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!"

a)

onomatopoeia and metonymy

b)

Alliteration and allusion

c)

Metonymy and polysyndeton

d)

Analogy and anaphora