Study Sync First Read: Speech to the Second Virginia Convention (comprehension questions)

Which sentence from the excerpt best supports the idea that the words of the British do not match their actions?

"Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these war-like preparations which cover our waters and darken our land."

Which sentence from the text most strongly supports the answer to Question 7?

"If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest."

Which passage from the excerpt most strongly supports the answer to Question 5?

"What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which is now coming on."

Order these statements chronologically as they appear in the text.

1. "The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country." 2. "We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts." 3. "Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love?" 4. "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

Which of the following best conveys the shift in tone that occurs in the excerpt?

From restrained to impassioned

admire

revere

Which of the following statements best summarizes Patrick Henry's views on reaching a peaceful agreement with the British?

Making peace has been tried without success.

Which statement about American participation in the war would the author most likely agree with?

The Americans have no other choice than to fight.

difficult

arduous

Which of the following words best replaces ceremony as it is used in the following passage?

formality

views

sentiments

conquest

subjugation

begging

supplication

Which of the following inferences is best supported by the following lines from the first paragraph of the excerpt?

the author intends to speak his mind freely.