Name Class Date
Unit 1: Collection 3
Selection Test READING AND LITERATURE
Speech to the Virginia Convention Patrick Henry
Comprehension Circle the letter of the best answer to each of the following items.
1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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) price he does not want people to pay for peace
C) possibility of enslaving captured British troops
D) fact that the English seek to literally enslave the colonists
5. 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
Unit 1: Collection 3, Selection Test continued
Vocabulary Development Match the definition on the left with the vocabulary word on the right. On the line provided, write the letter of the correct vocabulary word.
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83 Unit 1 Resources
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6. uncorrupted
7. those who are watchful
8. prevent or turn away
9. sly or sneaky
10. a plea or prayer
A) supplication
B) avert
C) insidious
D) vigilant
E) inviolate
Original content Copyright ? by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
83 Unit 1 Resources
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Vocabulary Skill For each sentence, circle the best synonym for the underlined word from the pair of words in parentheses.
11. John’s adversary in the chess match was very clever. (enemy, opponent)
12. She hoped by her speech to avert the looming war. (prevent, turn away)
13. Tom’s mother tried to solace him when his lizard died. (comfort, give hope to)
14. We suspected him of the crime because of his insidious manner. (treacherous, sly)
15. His family’s supplication to the king for amnesty was granted. (appeal, prayer)
Literary Focus Circle the letter of the best answer to each of the following items.
16. An emotional appeal—
A) makes listeners sit back before finally taking action
B) helps people make decisions that they will regret
C) uses words and images to stir up an audience’s feelings
D) forces someone to analyze a situation in a step-by-step process
17. Which is the best example of persuasion through an emotional appeal?
A) “I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission?”
B) “There is no retreat, but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged!”
C) “Sir, we have done everything that could be done . . .”
D) “Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.”
Unit 1: Collection 3, Selection Test continued
18. Logical appeal is a persuasive technique that—
A) gives positive reinforcement to decisions that are already made
B) provides reasons to support a particular opinion or course of action
C) supports both logic and emotion in persuasive pieces
D) shows listeners can be influenced by fiery words
19. Which is the best example of persuasion through an appeal to reason?
A) “Has Great Britain any enemy . . . to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies?”
B) “They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging.”
C) “An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!”
D) “The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms!”
Reading Focus Circle the letter of the best answer to each of the following items.
20. One mode of persuasion that Henry uses at the very start of his speech is—
A) fiction
B) oxymoron
C) flattery
D) emotional appeal
21. Henry declares, “I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves . . .” In this passage, Henry is using—
A) dramatic imagery to appeal to the emotions
B) allusions to God
C) figurative language
D) logic to engage his listeners’ attention
Constructed Response ( 4 points)
22. On a separate sheet of paper, write an explanation of how Patrick Henry builds the argument that the colonists should not be blinded by false hopes in deciding on war with Great Britain. Include specific examples of how the colonists should open their eyes to the truth.
Original content Copyright ? by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
84 Unit 1 Resources