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4. Which statement best describes how the American colonies won the…
4. Which statement best describes how the American colonies won the Revolution?
General Washington led a series of decisive attacks against British troops, driving them back to Canada.
Allies France and Spain sent troops to fight alongside American troops in New England and the Southern colonies.
The Continental Army evaded capture and conducted raids until the British ran out of resources.
Local militia groups conducted small raids on British troops until there were too few soldiers left to control the colonies.
5. What role does the clincher play in a rhetorical speech?
It provides background information to help listeners understand the topic.
It restates the speaker’s point in a way that is particularly memorable.
It grabs the listeners’ attention and introduces the speaker’s point.
It provides factual evidence in support of the speaker’s point.
6. How was the Continental Army formed, initially?
Colonists were drafted by their local governments and forced to serve.
George Washington traveled around the colonies enlisting soldiers.
Over time, local militias formed to protect colonists from harassment by British troops.
It was composed of British soldiers who deserted England’s army.
7. Read this passage from the Declaration of Independence.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
Why does Jefferson use the word barbarous alongside the word civilized?
to point out that there have been more barbaric leaders than King George
to suggest that King George is the opposite of what he should be
to shame King George into behaving more like a civilized leader
to contrast King George’s character with that of foreign mercenaries
8. As you read the passage below, look for an example of hyperbole.
They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction?
Which is an example of hyperbole?
a British guard shall be stationed in every house
But when shall we be stronger?
unable to cope
so formidable an adversary
9. Which of these lines is an example of hyperbole?
Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace, but there is no peace.
An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!
Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation?
But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year?
10. What role does the volume and pitch of your voice play in delivering a rhetorical speech?
These aspects of your voice allow you to emphasize certain words or phrases.
These aspects of your voice help you make your argument sound more reasonable.
These aspects of your voice lend a monotone sound to the words in your speech.
These aspects of your voice lead listeners to tune out most of what you say.
11. What is the best way to sum up the main point of Henry’s speech?
Compromise with the British is possible if the colonists present the right kind of petition.
Reconciliation with the British is not possible because they care nothing about the colonists’ well-being.
There is no chance of peace without total submission. Therefore, the colonists’ only real option is to fight.
Some people choose to comfort themselves with false hopes. Instead, they should face reality.
12. What was the purpose of John Wheatley’s letter to the publisher of Phillis Wheatley’s poems?
to explain how Phillis became an accomplished writer
to assure the world that Phillis was no longer a slave
to explain why no one should take the poems too seriously
to give credit for Phillis’s accomplishments to his wife and himself
13. What is the overall effect of Jefferson’s nuanced word choices in the declaration?
to suggest that all British citizens should reject the authority of their king
to compare the colonists’ aggressions with the King’s total lack of restraint
to embarrass King George with descriptions of his terrible behavior
to contrast the colonists’ decency and patience with the King’s tyranny
14. As you read the passage below, look for examples of the type of figurative language common to much of Phillis Wheatley’s poetry.
Ador’d for ever be the God unseen,
Which round the sun revolves this vast machine,
Though to his eye its mass a point appears:
Ador’d the God that whirls surrounding spheres,
Which first ordain’d that mighty Sol should reign
The peerless monarch of th’ ethereal train:
How does Wheatley personify the sun in this passage?
as a whirling sphere
as king of the sky
as an unseen force
as a huge machine
15. Read the passage below from the Declaration of Independence.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
What picture of King George do Jefferson’s words create?
a spineless fool
a civilized leader
a military strategist
a heartless tyrant
16. Suppose you decide to give a rhetorical speech about the abuses of industrial-scale pig farming. Which sentences would work best in the hook section of your speech?
When you see how pigs have to live, you may reconsider breakfast.
When I walked into the sow barn, it wasn’t the smell that hit me first.
Who here likes bacon? How many of you have visited a pig farm?
Pork is the most third most popular meat in America. Chicken is the first.
17. What was happening around the time when Patrick Henry gave his Speech to the Virginia Convention?
Patrick Henry had recently been accused of treason and nearly arrested.
The British military had been greatly increasing its presence in the colonies.
Patrick Henry had given up his farm to become a full-time politician.
The British had just imposed new taxes in the form of the Stamp Act.
18. As you read the lines below, use your knowledge of Latin and Greek roots to determine the meaning of any unfamiliar words.
Ador’d for ever be the God unseen,
Which round the sun revolves this vast machine,
Though to his eye its mass a point appears:
Ador’d the God that whirls surrounding spheres,
Which first ordain’d that mighty Sol should reign
The peerless monarch of th’ ethereal train:
Based on your understanding of its meaning, select the root of the word ethereal.
Greek aither, “upper air”
-ial, “of or related to”
Old English ?ther, “one or the other”
Latin dies, “day”
19. What is the purpose of rhetoric in a persuasive speech?
to evoke specific feelings
to identify the speaker’s claim
to make a logical argument
to dismiss counterclaims
20. How should the audience for your rhetorical speech affect the language you use to craft the speech?
Your speech’s tone, its level of formality, should match your relationship with the members of your audience.
Your speech’s sentence structure should be very simple so that any audience can understand your argument.
Your speech’s grammar should seem very formal to your audience so that you’ll seem to know your stuff.
Your speech’s vocabulary should be slightly more difficult or complex than the words your listeners use.
21. Which statement represents a theme that emerged in the earliest American writing–and that continues to pervade American literature today?
Art is more about tradition than inspiration.
Taxation without representation leads to unrest.
You can never rise above your situation at birth.
Individuals can determine their own destiny.
22. What was the main purpose of the Declaration of Independence?
to explain the colonists’ reasons for breaking ties with Great Britain
to declare the colonists’ complaints against British parliament
to embarrass King George with a long list of his wrongdoings
to propose a detailed plan for the establishment of a new nation
23. In “Thoughts on the Works of Providence,” what does the sun represent?
human aspirations
the heart of nature
the poet’s soul
the glory of God
24. What is rhetoric?
writing that casually draws the audience into a topic
writing that deliberately creates emotional impact
writing that uses figures of speech and allusions
writing that forces your audience to think a certain way
25. What did Thomas Jefferson do before writing the Declaration of Independence?
explored the region west of the Appalachian mountains
became a doctor and served as an army medic
wrote a pamphlet rejecting British authority
studied engineering and architecture
26. Typically, what should the concluding paragraph of your essay do?
provide more supporting evidence
tug on the reader’s heartstrings with emotional language
repeat your claim statement word for word
restate and expand on your claim
27. As you read the passage below, prepare to summarize Henry’s point about the timeliness of a revolution.
They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction?
What is the point of this dramatic rhetoric?
The colonists’ patience will be rewarded.
British control over the colonists will only increase.
The colonists will gather strength through resolution.
The British army intends to station a guard in every house.
28. Which group worked together to write the Declaration of Independence?
the Sons of Liberty
the British Parliament
the House of Burgesses
the First Continental Congress
29. What purpose did the most important writing of the Revolutionary Era serve?
to entertain
to instruct
to inform
to persuade
30. What should a persuasive essay always include?
emotionally intense language
anecdotes and figures of speech
supporting reasons and evidence
entertaining examples and stories
