The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
Paragraph 1
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
Paragraph 2
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.—That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,—That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.—Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
Read More▼
Multiple Choice Question
Which of the following sentences provides an accurate summary of the text?
A.
The colonists of the territories in North America have petitioned the king of France for a redress of grievances, a petition which he has refused, so the colonists feel that they are impelled to break away from France to found a new nation, one that is established by the citizenry, whose sole purpose is to ensure the rights of the citizens to the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.
B.
The colonists of the British colonies in North America have petitioned the king for a redress of grievances, and due to a lack of response, they feel compelled to break away from the mother country, because it is the duty and right of the citizens to throw off the chains of their oppressive government to establish a new order for the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.
C.
The colonists residing in the British colonies of North America have petitioned the king of England, and he has accepted some of their terms, but the colonists feel he has not given enough ground, so they desire to break away from England so that they can establish a new government that serves their own needs and interests, namely the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.
D
.
The colonies of the British colonies in North America have petitioned the king of England for a redress of grievances, to which he has refused, so the colonists feel impelled to break away from the mother country, so that they can found a new monarchy in the New World, because they feel that a monarchy that they create will allow them to pursue life, liberty, and happiness.
1 answer
The best choice that accurately summarizes the text of the Declaration of Independence is:
B. The colonists of the British colonies in North America have petitioned the king for a redress of grievances, and due to a lack of response, they feel compelled to break away from the mother country, because it is the duty and right of the citizens to throw off the chains of their oppressive government to establish a new order for the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.
This option captures the essential points of the Declaration: that the colonists sought redress from the king, felt compelled to separate due to a lack of action from him, and believed it was their right and duty to create a government that protects their rights to life, liberty, and happiness.
