Question

excerpt from We Shall Fight on the Beaches
by Winston Churchill

British prime minister Winston Churchill addressed Britain’s Parliament during World War II when the country was facing a potential invasion by Germany. The following excerpt is from the end of that famous speech.

Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall . . . , we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender . . .

3
Select the correct answer.
What is the most likely reason that Churchill ends the speech with the words in this excerpt?

A.
to strengthen his audience’s resolve against the possibility of surrender
B.
to provide detailed information about Britain’s military preparations
C.
to express with figurative language his nation’s general attitude of persistence
D.
to compare the superiority of the British military to Germany’s military

Answer 1

A. to strengthen his audience’s resolve against the possibility of surrender

Explanation: Churchill’s repeated “we shall” statements are a rhetorical rallying cry meant to bolster determination and refusal to give in, not to give military details or compare forces.