7.RI.8: Trace and Evaluate the Arguments and Claims in a Text
Read the following excerpt from “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King and answer the questions that follow.
In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."
But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.
1. What is the main claim of this passage?
a. The United States is in danger of going bankrupt.
b. The United States has failed to honor African Americans’ rights.
c. The United States promises freedom only to white people.
d. The United States owes money to African Americans.
2. Which sentence from the passage directly supports this claim?
a. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds.
b. When the architectsof our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.
c. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
d. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.
Read the following excerpt from "Woman's Right to Suffrage"by Susan B. Anthonyand answer the questions that follow.
I stand before you tonight under indictment for the alleged crime of having voted at the last presidential election, without having a lawful right to vote. It shall be my work this evening to prove to you that in thus voting, I not only committed no crime, but, instead, simply exercised my citizen's rights, guaranteed to me and all United States citizens by the National Constitution, beyond the power of any State to deny.
It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union. And we formed it, not to give the blessings of liberty, but to secure them; not to the half of ourselves and the half of our posterity, but to the whole people--women as well as men. And it is a downright mockery to talk to women of their enjoyment of the blessings of liberty while they are denied the use of the only means of securing them provided by this democratic-republican government--the ballot.
The only question left to be settled now is: Are women persons? And I hardly believe any of our opponents will have the hardihood to say they are not. Being persons, then, women are citizens; and no State has a right to make any law, or to enforce any old law, that shall abridge their privileges or immunities.
1. What is the main argument of the passage?
a. Women should avoid committing crimes.
b. Women should be allowed to run for political office.
c. Women should have different rights as citizens than men.
d. Women should be allowed to exercise their right to vote.
2. What reasoning does the author use to support the main argument?
a. Women helped to form the nation.
b. Women obeyed U.S. laws throughout history.
c. Women fought in the war for freedom.
d. Women helped to write the Constitution.
3. Based on the passage, which fact must the United States government accept in order to allow women to vote?
a. Women are citizens.
b. Women are people.
c. Women have privileges.
d. Women give blessings.