The line “How the farmers gave them ball for ball” means that "The farmers returned fire with force that was equal to the British soldiers’ attack." This indicates that the farmers were actively defending themselves and retaliating against the British soldiers with equivalent force, rather than hiding or fleeing.
Read the passage from “Paul Revere’s Ride”.
You know the rest. In the books you have read,
How the British Regulars fired and fled,—
How the farmers gave them ball for ball,
From behind each fence and farm–yard wall,
What is the meaning of the line “How the farmers gave them ball for ball”?
Paul Revere’s Ride
Responses
The farmers decided to hide from the British soldiers’ attack because they were so frightened.
The farmers decided to hide from the British soldiers’ attack because they were so frightened.
The farmers defended their farms, but soon had to flee the British soldiers’ attack.
The farmers defended their farms, but soon had to flee the British soldiers’ attack.
The farmers returned fire with force that was equal to the British soldiers’ attack.
The farmers returned fire with force that was equal to the British soldiers’ attack.
The farmers were surprised by the British soldiers’ attack, so they surrendered.
The farmers were surprised by the British soldiers’ attack, so they surrendered.
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