Passage 1: H.R. 51: Making D.C. the 51st State by Representative Elijah E. Cummings

Question

Passage 2: Equality for the District of Columbia: Discussing the Implications of S. 132, the New Columbia Admission Act of 2013 by Senator Tom Coburn

Question 1
Read this sentence from Passage 1.

"'Other rights, even the most basic, are illusory if the right to vote is undermined.'" (paragraph 7)

What is the meaning of illusory as it is used in this sentence?


(1 point)
Responses

unlawful
unlawful

meaningless
meaningless

simplistic
simplistic

unwise
unwise
Question 2
In paragraphs 5 through 9 of Passage 1, how does Cummings support the central idea that a bill for D.C. statehood is ready to be passed?(1 point)
Responses

by explaining that the bill will reduce taxes on residents
by explaining that the bill will reduce taxes on residents

by claiming that members of Congress are eager to vote for the bill
by claiming that members of Congress are eager to vote for the bill

by demonstrating the demand for such a bill among citizens
by demonstrating the demand for such a bill among citizens

by emphasizing the hope that came from previous bills
by emphasizing the hope that came from previous bills
Question 3
In Passage 1, what strategy does Cummings frequently used to add an emotional appeal to his argument?(1 point)
Responses

emphasizing American ideals
emphasizing American ideals

presenting data about American voters
presenting data about American voters

confirming American greatness
confirming American greatness

investigating American history
investigating American history
Question 4
Select two approaches that Cummings uses to create a favorable opinion about H.R.51 in Passage 1.(2 points)
Responses

demonstrating that the founders intended to make D.C. a state
demonstrating that the founders intended to make D.C. a state

sharing the expectation of greater government revenue
sharing the expectation of greater government revenue

suggesting that passing the bill would help his colleagues get reelected
suggesting that passing the bill would help his colleagues get reelected

fostering a sense of unified purpose among representatives
fostering a sense of unified purpose among representatives

presenting the bill as something that will correct an injustice
presenting the bill as something that will correct an injustice
Question 5
Read this sentence from Passage 2.

16 Yet here we are again debating this issue, even though it has no chance of success in this chamber, and is dead on arrival in the House.

(1 point)
Responses

It generates fear.
It generates fear.

It inspires outrage.
It inspires outrage.

It establishes confusion.
It establishes confusion.

It expresses uselessness.
It expresses uselessness.
Question 6
In Passage 2, what is a reason Coburn uses short rhetorical questions starting in paragraph 22?(1 point)
Responses

to introduce arguments against the statehood bill
to introduce arguments against the statehood bill

to downplay the power of the government to enact the statehood bill
to downplay the power of the government to enact the statehood bill

to address complaints in the statehood bill
to address complaints in the statehood bill

to distract from the strengths of the statehood bill
to distract from the strengths of the statehood bill
Question 7
In paragraphs 23-25 of Passage 2, Coburn transitions from a history of failed bills to the effects of making D.C. a state. How does this strengthen his case?(1 point)
Responses

by suggesting that such bills were never intended to pass as written
by suggesting that such bills were never intended to pass as written

by providing a contrast with arguments in favor of such bills
by providing a contrast with arguments in favor of such bills

by emphasizing the reasons such bills continue to fail
by emphasizing the reasons such bills continue to fail

by establishing that such bills are unconstitutional
by establishing that such bills are unconstitutional
Question 8
Read this paragraph from Passage 2.

33 The bill even gives New Columbia control over certain land in Virginia and Maryland, a serious affront to their sovereignty.

What is the meaning of the phrase affront to their sovereignty in this context?

(1 point)
Responses

attack on their traditions
attack on their traditions

violation of their laws
violation of their laws

insult to their independence
insult to their independence

outrage against their senators
outrage against their senators
Question 9
Select two ways in which Coburn argues that D.C. statehood would be unfair to the American people in Passage 2. (2 points)
Responses

by stating that the only people who support statehood are politicians
by stating that the only people who support statehood are politicians

by implying that the new state would get preferential treatment
by implying that the new state would get preferential treatment

by pointing out the area is not large enough to be a state
by pointing out the area is not large enough to be a state

by focusing on the financial difficulties statehood would create
by focusing on the financial difficulties statehood would create

by noting that not everyone is in favor of statehood
by noting that not everyone is in favor of statehood
Question 10
How do both speakers use information about early America to make their arguments?(1 point)
Responses

Both refer to the intentions of American founders.
Both refer to the intentions of American founders.

Both acknowledge the influence of European governments.
Both acknowledge the influence of European governments.

Both portray Americans during the revolution as demanding.
Both portray Americans during the revolution as demanding.

Both explain why D.C. was made the capital city.
Both explain why D.C. was made the capital city.
Question 11
Complete the table to show how each passage develops its argument.(3 points)
Passage 1 Passage 2 Both Passages
by appealing to the values of democracy

by using detailed specifics about related laws

by referring to principles of the Constitution

Answer 1

Here are the answers to your questions based on the passages provided:

Question 1
What is the meaning of "illusive" as it is used in this sentence?
Meaning: meaningless

Question 2
In paragraphs 5 through 9 of Passage 1, how does Cummings support the central idea that a bill for D.C. statehood is ready to be passed?
Response: by demonstrating the demand for such a bill among citizens

Question 3
In Passage 1, what strategy does Cummings frequently use to add an emotional appeal to his argument?
Response: emphasizing American ideals

Question 4
Select two approaches that Cummings uses to create a favorable opinion about H.R.51 in Passage 1.
Responses:

• demonstrating that the founders intended to make D.C. a state
• presenting the bill as something that will correct an injustice

Question 5
Read this sentence from Passage 2. What does it express?
Response: It expresses uselessness.

Question 6
In Passage 2, what is a reason Coburn uses short rhetorical questions starting in paragraph 22?
Response: to introduce arguments against the statehood bill

Question 7
In paragraphs 23-25 of Passage 2, how does this strengthen Coburn's case?
Response: by emphasizing the reasons such bills continue to fail

Question 8
What is the meaning of the phrase "affront to their sovereignty" in this context?
Response: insult to their independence

Question 9
Select two ways in which Coburn argues that D.C. statehood would be unfair to the American people in Passage 2.
Responses:

• by implying that the new state would get preferential treatment
• by noting that not everyone is in favor of statehood

Question 10
How do both speakers use information about early America to make their arguments?
Response: Both refer to the intentions of American founders.

Question 11
Complete the table to show how each passage develops its argument.

| Passage 1 | Passage 2 | Both Passages | |----------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | by appealing to the values of democracy | | | | | by using detailed specifics about related laws | | | by referring to principles of the Constitution | | |

(Note: For Question 11's table, I've provided the structure as requested, but details for the passages in the last two columns may require context from the passages to fill accurately.)