Reading Passage with Multiple Choice

Question

Passage 1: The Freedmen’s Bureau and Its Role in Reconstruction
The Freedmen’s Bureau was established by Congress in 1865 during the Reconstruction era to assist newly freed African Americans in transitioning from slavery to freedom. The Bureau was tasked with providing educational resources, legal aid, food, and employment support to the freedmen and poor whites in the Southern states. Many historians argue that the Bureau played an essential role in stabilizing the post-war South by offering critical services to those who had been left destitute by the Civil War.

Proponents of the Bureau’s efforts highlight its success in setting up over 1,000 schools for African American children, a significant achievement considering the widespread lack of education for enslaved people. Additionally, the Bureau helped freedmen gain legal representation, allowing them to assert their rights in court. Critics, however, argue that the Bureau was ineffective due to its lack of funding, the resistance from Southern state governments, and the increasing violence from groups like the Ku Klux Klan. Despite these obstacles, many believe that the Bureau’s assistance was crucial for African Americans, who otherwise would have had little opportunity to integrate into society as equals.

Question 1
What is the main argument in Passage 1 regarding the Freedmen's Bureau?(1 point)
Responses

The Freedmen’s Bureau was a failure because it lacked support from Southern governments
The Freedmen’s Bureau was a failure because it lacked support from Southern governments

The Freedmen’s Bureau played a vital role in helping African Americans transition to freedom, despite challenges.
The Freedmen’s Bureau played a vital role in helping African Americans transition to freedom, despite challenges.

The Freedmen’s Bureau primarily focused on assisting poor white families, not African Americans.
The Freedmen’s Bureau primarily focused on assisting poor white families, not African Americans.

The Bureau was ineffective due to the increasing violence from groups like the Ku Klux Klan.
The Bureau was ineffective due to the increasing violence from groups like the Ku Klux Klan.
Question 2
Which of the following is the most relevant piece of evidence supporting the claim that the Freedmen’s Bureau was important for African Americans?(1 point)
Responses

The Bureau helped establish over 1,000 schools for African American children.
The Bureau helped establish over 1,000 schools for African American children.

The Bureau faced significant resistance from Southern state governments.
The Bureau faced significant resistance from Southern state governments.

The Bureau had limited funding and resources.
The Bureau had limited funding and resources.

The Ku Klux Klan caused violence in the South.
The Ku Klux Klan caused violence in the South.
Question 3
What is the reasoning flaw in Passage 1 regarding the Bureau’s failure?(1 point)
Responses

The passage overlooks the success of the Bureau in providing education.
The passage overlooks the success of the Bureau in providing education.

The passage gives too much focus to the resistance from Southern governments and white supremacist groups.
The passage gives too much focus to the resistance from Southern governments and white supremacist groups.

The passage fails to mention the long-term success of the Bureau’s work.
The passage fails to mention the long-term success of the Bureau’s work.

The passage argues that the Bureau’s success was overshadowed by the challenges it faced.

Answer 1

Here are the answers to the questions based on Passage 1:

Question 1: What is the main argument in Passage 1 regarding the Freedmen's Bureau?

Correct Response: The Freedmen’s Bureau played a vital role in helping African Americans transition to freedom, despite challenges.

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Question 2: Which of the following is the most relevant piece of evidence supporting the claim that the Freedmen’s Bureau was important for African Americans?

Correct Response: The Bureau helped establish over 1,000 schools for African American children.

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Question 3: What is the reasoning flaw in Passage 1 regarding the Bureau’s failure?

Correct Response: The passage gives too much focus to the resistance from Southern governments and white supremacist groups.

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These responses capture the central themes and arguments presented in the passage regarding the Freedmen's Bureau's significance and challenges during Reconstruction.