Unit6KeytoExercises

Unit 6

KEY TO EXERCISES Text comprehension 1

I. Decide which of the following best states the speaker's purpose of his

speech.

A

II. Judge, according to the text, whether the following statements are true or false.

1. T. Refer to Paragraph 1.

2. F. Refer to Paragraph 3. The question "Are fleets and armies necessary

to a work of love and reconciliation?" is obviously a rhetorical question.

3. T. Refer to Paragraph 3. 4. T. Refer to Paragraphs 5 and 6.

5. F. Refer to Paragraph 7. This is how the British colonists and a few

gentlemen in the house think.

6. T. Refer to the whole speech.

III. Answer the following questions. 1. Refer to Paragraph 1. They expect Patrick Henry to express in the

strongest and most explicit terms his opinions on the nation's choice

between freedom and slavery, which are very different from those expressed

by some previous speakers.

2. Refer to Paragraph 3. Lamp metaphorically refers to one's experience that guides one's course of action. The past conduct of the British ministry

has proved itself untrustworthy. The recent reception of our petition will

prove a snare to mislead us. As a matter of fact, the British are preparing

war against us. We must call in our own forces to fight back. This is what

the lamp guides us to do. 3. Refer to Paragraph 4. It has accumulated its navies and armies for war

against the Americans in an attempt to subdue them.

4. Refer to Paragraph 6. He thinks that their petitions have been treated

rudely, their remonstrations have brought about more violence and insult,

and that their solicitations have been disregarded. After they have done all that can be done, there is no longer any possibility for hope of peace and

reconciliation.

5. Refer to Paragraph 6. They have done everything that could be done to

prevent the coming war, but in vain. If they wish to be free, if they mean

to preserve those inestimable rights of national independence and dignity, for which they have long been engaged in the noble struggle, they must

fight.

6. Refer to Paragraphs 7 and 8. There is no way for them to retreat, or

submission and slavery will be in store for them! The clanging of the chains

the British colonialists have long forged for them may be heard on the plains of Boston! War has actually begun and is approaching fast. If they are unwilling to be subdued and enslaved, they must get ready for a war of

resistance against the British colonists!

7. Refer to Paragraph 8. Sweet as peace, dear as life might be, he will give both up providing they should be won at the sacrifice of dignity and

liberty.

8. Refer to the whole speech. The speech is filled with patriotic passion

and urgency, severe criticism, and appealing sensation.

IV. Explain in your own words the following sentences taken from the text. 1. The same object may be observed and judged from different perspectives

by different people.

2. No time should be wasted on ceremonial procedures because the house, at

present, is encountering an extremely crucial problem for the nation.

3. We tend to close our eyes when facing a painful truth, and be intoxicated by the song of the sea nymph that will eventually turn us into

animals.

4. As for me, I'm willing to know the whole truth and be prepared for the

worst that might happen, no matter how much pain I may endure.

5. The cunning smile, with which the British recently received our petition, will be a trap for you to fall into.

6. These are the tools for war and suppression, the last means kings will

turn to when all arguments fall flat.

7. We have been humble and submissive in front of the British King, and

have begged his Majesty to intervene and stop the cruelty and injustice of the British colonial ministry and Parliament.

8. The victory of the battle is determined not just by strength, but by

vigilance, activeness, and courage.

9. It is useless to underestimate the severity of the situation.

Writing strategies . (1) Both the content and the tone of the beginning make it very appealing to

the audience. The first two sentences are particularly eye-catching and

capable of arousing the readers' interest, because they present a sharp

contrast of different opinions. The first sentence makes it clear that the

speaker greatly admires the worthy gentlemen for their patriotism and abilities, while the second sentence points out that he entertains entirely

different opinions. Next, the speaker defines the question before the house

as one of freedom or slavery, which clearly states the critical importance

of the question. Then, he renders it crystal clear why he is duty-bound to

speak forth his sentiments. The last sentence of the first paragraph indirectly highlights the great importance of his opinions. The tone of the