Revolutionary Letters
1 In Letters from the Revolutions, two cousins who exchange letters provide a unique perspective on the
American and French revolutions. The novel begins with a letter from a girl in Virginia. She introduces herself
to her French cousin. She explains that she has met, for the first time, her uncle from France. He has been sent
from his French home to America to fight in the Revolutionary War. The two cousins exchange letters with news
about the American Revolution and its effects on their lives these letters comprise the format of the novel. After
the war ends, the uncle returns home and shares his new ideas. As the letters continue, an uprising begins in
France. The novel ends with a short, terse letter from the French cousin providing a terrifying account of the
storming of the Bastille.
2 During our presentation, Erin will be discussing the epistolary, or letter, format. Sylvia will discuss history.
Then, Joseph will discuss symbolism. First, though, here is Sylvia to talk about the Colonial American setting.
Sylvia will also help us understand Revolutionary France.
1. In Letters from the Revolutions, two cousins who exchange letters provide a unique
perspective on the American and French revolutions.
Which word would best replace who in the sentence above?
F that
G which
H whom
J no change
The two cousins exchange letters with news about the American Revolution and its
effects on their lives these letters comprise the format of the novel.
2. How should the underlined part be revised to correct this run-on sentence?
A lives, these
B lives; these
C lives. While these
D lives, and while these
3. In this sentence from the passage, the phrase terse means ______________
How do you know?
4. What is the best way, if any, to rewrite the sentences below?
Sylvia will discuss history. Then, Joseph will discuss symbolism. First, though, here is Sylvia to talk about the
Colonial American setting. Sylvia will also help us understand Revolutionary France.
5. Who do you think the author is?
What is the author’s purpose?
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The New Tent
1Whenever he took us camping, my Uncle Norbert always used an old, green canvas tent that he had bought in
a surplus store. The tent was big and bulky, and it had a wooden frame that made it a real chore to carry. It was
musty, too, from years of use and storage, and there were a few places where mice had nibbled a bit of the canvas
away for nesting material. That tent would let a little light in and even a little rain now and then. It did work,
though, and it was easy to set up—once you had carried it where you were planning to pitch it. My friend Mike
and I had lugged that thing around all throughout our grade-school years; we set it up in the backyard and, later,
along the river at the state park.
2Last year, Mike showed up with a new tent. It looked great; the picture on the box showed its gleaming blue
dome, stretched and supported by an interlocking web of fiberglass poles. Mike and I looked forward to
unpacking it, setting it up, and sleeping in it on our upcoming camping trip. We felt that, finally, camping had
come into the twenty-first century as we tossed the unopened box next to Uncle Norbert’s old tent in the back of
the truck.
3 When we arrived at the river, Uncle Norbert headed up to the park office to register so we could camp.
Mike and I stayed behind to pitch the tent, the gleaming blue modern one, not the one from a previous era.
While we were waiting for Uncle Norbert, a couple of squirrels came by looking for food. We talked glibly
about how much easier it would be to pitch the new tent instead of dragging that heavy old thing out of the truck.
“That way,” Mike said cheerfully, “we can just pitch the tent and get down to the serious job of catching fish.”
4 The new tent included a twenty-four-page direction book that we immediately tossed aside. We began
assembling the tent by hooking the fiberglass poles together and trying to put them into the proper places in the
top of the tent. After about twenty minutes, we thought that consulting the book might be a good idea after all.
Nevertheless, the pieces didn’t fit together correctly, and I couldn’t help recalling how my uncle’s tent just snapped
into place. I didn’t want to hurt Mike’s feelings, but one look at his face told me that he was thinking the same
thing. “I’m ready to go fishing,” he said, as we put the pieces back into the box. “We’ll figure out how to
organize it later, when we’re at home.”
5. When Uncle Norbert returned, he will see his trusty, musty, green canvas tent standing next to the fire ring.
“I thought you were going to pitch Mike’s new tent,” he said. Mike and I looked at each other ruefully. Mike
had grabbed his fishing pole from its spot against a tree and began walking toward the river. “We did pitch it,”
he said, calling over his shoulder. “We pitched it right back into the truck.”
1. Which sentence in paragraph 3 is irrelevant and should be deleted?
F When we arrived at the river, Uncle Norbert headed up to the park office to register so we could
camp.
G Mike and I stayed behind to pitch the tent, the gleaming blue modern one, not the one from a
previous era.
H While we were waiting for Uncle Norbert, a couple of squirrels came by looking for food.
J We talked glibly about how much easier it would be to pitch the new tent instead of dragging that
heavy old thing out of the truck.
2. Find the sentence in paragraph 5 that has a shift in verb tense and write it correctly below.
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3. The author reveals the character of Uncle Norbert through
A appearance.
B thoughts.
C act ions.
D descriptions (looks).
Give two examples proving your choice is correct.
3. We can infer from this passage that Uncle Norbert felt _____________________. Prove it.
4. In paragraph 3, what do you think glibly means in the passage?
F. persuasively
G. casually
H. slickly
J. hesitantly
Write down the context clues (words, phrases, or explanations) that prove you are correct.
5. In paragraph 5, what do you think ruefully means?
A. embarrassedly
B. guiltily
C regretfully
D. sorrowfully
Write down context clues (words, phrases, or explanations) that prove you are correct.
6. What could be a possible theme from this story? Try not to sound cliché and make sure you
explain why it’s the theme.
7. Which of these sentences is a run-on?
F When we arrived at the river, Uncle Norbert headed up to the park office to register so we could
camp.
G Mike and I stayed behind to pitch the tent, the gleaming blue modern one, not the one from a
previous era.
H While we were waiting for Uncle Norbert, a couple of squirrels came by looking for food.
J We talked glibly about how much easier it would be to pitch the new tent instead of dragging that
heavy old thing out of the truck.
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1. At this time, I would like to introduce Jonathan. He will review the acting in the drama.
Which sentence best combines these two sentences?
A At this time, I will introduce the one, Jonathan, he will review the acting in the drama.
B At this time, so that he can review the acting in the drama, I would like to introduce Jonathan.
C At this time, Jonathan will review the acting in the drama after I introduce him.
D At this time, I would like to introduce Jonathan, who will review the acting in the drama.
2. Paragraph 2 is a summary, not a critique, because the author
F outlines the plot without describing the drama’s ending.
G describes the main character without disclosing the name of the actress who plays this character.
H outlines the drama’s main problem without explaining how the character tries to solve the problem.
J
describes the plot without giving an opinion on the drama’s overall success.
3. Whatshould members of the group do to help Laurel best engage her audience during the first part of her oral presentation?
A quickly prepare their own note cards while she is presenting
B silently listen to her speak to the audience
C make friendly eye contact with audience members
D whisper quietly among themselves while she is presenting
4. Look at the first sentence in paragraph 2 beginning with “Although…
Write down the subject(s) and verb(s).
Determine which type of sentence it is.
F. simple G. Compund H. Complex J. Compound/complex
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Susan B. Anthony Speech: Women’s Right to Vote
During the early 1800s, women were not allowed to vote. This is a speech that Susan B. Anthony gave
after being arrested for voting illegally in the presidential election of 1872.
Friends and fellow citizens: 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.
The preamble of the Federal Constitution says:
“We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure
domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the
United States of America.”
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 democraticrepublican government—the ballot.
For any state to make gender a qualification that must ever result in the disfranchisement1 of one
entire half of the people, is to pass a bill of attainder, or, an ex post facto law, and is therefore a violation
of the supreme law of the land. By it the blessings of liberty are forever withheld from women and their
female posterity.
To them this government has no just powers derived from the consent of the governed. To them this
government is not a democracy. It is not a republic. It is an odious aristocracy; a hateful oligarchy2 of
gender; the most hateful aristocracy ever established on the face of the globe; an oligarchy of wealth,
where the rich govern the poor. An oligarchy of learning, where the educated govern the ignorant, or
even an oligarchy of race, where the Saxon3 rules the African, might be endured; but this oligarchy of
gender, which makes father, brothers, husband, sons, the oligarchs over the mother and sisters, the wife
and daughters, of every household—which ordains all men sovereigns, all women subjects, carries
dissension, discord, and rebellion into every home of the nation.
Webster, Worcester, and Bouvier4 all define a citizen to be a person in the United States entitled to
vote or hold office. 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. Hence, every discrimination against women in the constitutions and laws of
the several states is today null and void.
Webster, Worcester, and Bouvier: historical figures who worked on developing dictionaries
4
Ex post facto – after the fact, retroactive
disfranchisement: depriving a person the right of citizenship
oligarchy: a form of government in which all power is vested in a few persons
Saxon: a European person
1
2
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1. Whichsentenceisthethesisofthespeech?
F 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.
G 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.
H 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.
J For any state to make gender a qualification that must ever result in the
disfranchisement of one entire half of the people, is to pass a bill of attainder, or,
an ex post facto law, and is therefore a violation of the supreme law of the land.
2. Which of these best describes the overall structure of the speech?
A cause-effect
B compare-contrast
C proposition-support
D theme-illustration
3. Read this excerpt from the speech.
It is not a republic. It is an odious aristocracy; a hateful oligarchy of gender; the most
hateful aristocracy ever established on the face of the globe; an oligarchy of wealth,
where the rich govern the poor.
Which device is used in the excerpt?
F analogy
G hyperbole
H rhetorical question
J parallelism and repetition
4. What is the basic source of conflict in this selection? Explain.
5. What is the author’s purpose in the passage?
A. entertain
B. inform
C. persuade
D. teach
6. What proverb, aphorism, or bumper sticker best illustrates the theme of this selection? Prove yours is
correct using details from the passage.
A group of students is preparing for a presentation. The following passage is a rough draft of the group’s
written report. It may contain errors. Read the report and answer questions
22 through 28.
Climbing in the Clouds
1
Edmund Percival Hillary was one of the great explorers of the twentieth century.
He was born in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1919. He discovered a passion for mountain climbing while he
was still in high school and began climbing New Zealand’s
Southern Alps.
2
In January 2008, Sir Edmund Hillary died at the age of 88. Although the physically
imposing but personally unassuming Hillary was best known as the young man who climbed to the summit of
Mt. Everest in the 1950s, he continued his journeys to far-off places into his senior years. For instance, in his
mid-sixties Hillary flew to the North Pole with Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon. Additionally,
Hillary authored many books. However, his most lasting gift, perhaps, was the Sir Edmund Hillary
Himalayan Trust. It raised millions of dollars and contributed to schools, hospitals, and many other civic
improvements in the Sherpa villages of Nepal.
3
Hillary’s spirit of exploration was not satisfied. He joined an expedition to Antarctica
and reached the South Pole in 1958. His list of activities also included an expedition up the Ganges
River to its source in the Himalayas. Sir Edmund Hillary was a fearless adventurer. He went where no man
or woman had gone before.
4
Like his father Hillary earned his living as a beekeeper. However, he continued to
climb mountains. His goal was to climb Mt. Everest, which is the highest mountain in the world. By the
early 1950s, several expeditions had attempted to reach the summit of Everest, but all had failed. Then, in
1953, Hillary and a Nepalese climber named Tenzing Norgay became the first two people to reach the top of
the world.
5
Despite being among the highest echelon of adventurers and known for the legacies
he left, Sir Edmund Hillary always modestly referred to himself as a simple beekeeper from New Zealand.
1. Which task would be most important to consider in the group’s preparation for this presentation?
F assigning all the research to the team member who most likes to read
G taking each member’s ideas into consideration before making major decisions
H deciding who is the best speaker so that person can practice giving the
presentation
J having each member prepare a section of the speech and then combining them
before the presentation
2. Hillary’s spirit of exploration was not satisfied. ___________ , he joined an expedition to
Antarctica and reached the South Pole in 1958.
Which transitional word correctly fills in the blank?
A Instead
B Consequently
C Furthermore
D Similarly
3. By the early 1950s, several expeditions had attempted to reach the summit of
Everest, but all had failed.
Which word could be added before expeditions to best strengthen the description?
F worthwhile
G interesting
H valiant
J
routine
4. Whatis the bestorderforParagraphs2,3,and4?
A 3, 4, 2
B 4, 3, 2
C 2, 4, 3
D no change
5. His list of activities also included an expedition up the Ganges River to its source in the
Himalayas.
Based on the passage, which word is more precise than activities and should replace it for clarity of
meaning?
F undertakings
G occupations
H accomplishments
J experiences
6, Which Web site would be the best choice for further information about Sir Edmund Hillary’s contributions to
society?
A www.everestexpeditions.net
B www.siredmundhillary.org
C www.edmundhillarybiography.com
D www.sherpavillages.edu
7. Why are the other choices wrong? Explain each.
8. Which sentence from the passage gives implied evidence that Hillary was a man who possessed lifelong ambitions?
F Edmund Percival Hillary was one of the great explorers of the twentieth century.
G For instance, in his mid-sixties Hillary flew to the North Pole with Neil
Armstrong, the first man on the moon.
H He joined an expedition to Antarctica and reached the South Pole in 1958.
J Then, in 1953, Hillary and a Nepalese climber named Tenzing Norgay became the
first two people to reach the top of the world.