ENGLISH PRE-TEST

In which of these situations is the word dedicate used correctly?

An author might dedicate a book to a friend.

Lincoln concludes the Gettysburg Address by listing four parts to "the great task remaining before us." The fourth is "that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." Which of the following best explains the effect of the parallelism in the final phrase of the speech? Choose three options.

B. It emphasizes the importance of the idea being expressed. D. It adds majesty and weight to the speech and to the occasion. F. It makes it more likely that the listeners will remember the phrase.

Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to hallow?

Shame

To which of these historic events does the opening sentence of the Gettysburg Address refer?

The American Revolution

In the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln urges his listeners to join him to "resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain." How does Lincoln believe that Americans can give the soldiers' deaths purpose and meaning?

By working toward a resolution that would preserve the Union's stability.

Early cave-dwellers created primitive art that contained bold images and simple line drawings.

Crude

PART A: The following quotations are from Lincoln's famous "House Divided" speech of 1858. Which quotation is the best example of antithesis? PART B: Which sentence best describes the effect of the antithesis used in Part A?

Either the opponents of slavery, will arrest the further spread of it, and place it ... in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become alike lawful in all the States, old as well as new—North as well as South and It provides readers with a powerful contrast to help explain a main idea.

Part A: In the Gettysburg Address, which set of values does Abraham Lincoln most clearly associated with the nation he leads? Part B: Which of these sentences from the Gettysburg Address best supports the answer to Part A?

Freedom and equality, Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

In the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln describes the audience's ancestors as having "brought forth" a nation "conceived" in a spirit of liberty. Which natural process does Lincoln describe in formal language, and how does this choice serve his purpose?

He describes the nation's origin as a birth, in order to emphasize the significance of a historical moment.

What does Lincoln's reference to an earlier time period suggest?

He is aware of the nation's short history and its founding principles.

Based on the wording of the Gettysburg Address, describe Lincoln's view of himself and his audience?

Humble and Dedicated

Lincoln begins the Gettysburg Address with the phrase: "Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty..." Which answer best explains Lincoln's purpose in choosing such formal language?

It adds majesty and weight to the speech and to the occasion.

In the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln refers to the battlefield as "a final resting place" for the soldiers. He might have used more precise words or phrases, such as "cemetery" or "burial ground." What is the most reasonable inference to draw from Lincoln's diction—his choice to use the simple phrase "final resting place"?

Lincoln wants to comfort listeners who have lost loved ones in the battle.

Which word is closest in meaning to consecrate?

Sanctify

Part A: According to Lincoln in the Gettysburg Address, why are he and the others attending the ceremony unable to make the ground at Gettysburg holy? Part B: Which of these sentences from the Gettysburg Address best supports the answer to Part A?

The soldiers who fought there have already made it holy. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.

The word frugal means "managing money, food, and so on carefully; not spending freely." Which of the following synonyms for frugal has a positive connotation?

Thrifty

What is Lincoln's main purpose in the Gettysburg Address?

To explain the importance of the war and inspire support for the Union.

In the opening sentence of the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln refers to the United States as having been "conceived in Liberty." Which of the following best explains why Lincoln emphasizes the notion of liberty in the speech?

To remind his listeners of the reason the soldiers fought and died.

According to Lincoln in the Gettysburg Address, what is the stated purpose for meeting on the battlefield?

To set aside a portion of the field as a graveyard for fallen soldiers.

Read the following excerpt from Lincoln's second inaugural address: On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago, all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it—all sought to avert it. While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war—seeking to dissolve the Union, and divide effects, by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came.

insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war—seeking to dissolve the Union, and divide the effects, by negotiation.