Question

ead the sentences from the passage.
May we, in our dealings with all peoples of the earth, ever speak truth and serve justice.
And so shall America—in the sight of all men of good will—prove true to the honorable purposes
that bind and rule us as a people in all this time of trial through which we pass. (paragraphs 8–9)
How does this section convey President Eisenhower’s purpose in the speech?
A. It shows that he wants to amuse his audience before turning to a more serious subject.
B. It shows that he wants to describe the meaning of freedom before discussing the threat
of Communism to Americans.
C. It shows that he wants to highlight some positive traits in the world before discussing a
global problem.
D. It shows that he wants to give Americans confidence in their nation before calling on
their support against a global problem.
2) Read the sentence from the passage.
Thus across all the globe there harshly blow the winds of change. (paragraph 18)
What does the phrase “there harshly blow the winds of change” help the audience understand
about other nations?
A. People in other nations are fighting for their freedom.
B. People in other nations are being forced to do something.
C. People in other nations secretly dislike their governments.
D. People in other nations carefully generate renewable energy.
3) This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Part A: What is one of President Eisenhower’s purposes in the speech?
A. to persuade his audience that Communism is a threat
B. to persuade his audience that democracy is more dangerous than Communism
C. to persuade his audience that there are some benefits to Communism
D. to persuade his audience that Communism is popular
Part B: Which word choices from the speech support the purpose in Part A?
A. destiny, future, historic
B. divisive, dark, enslaved
C. struggle, freedom, strive
D. unconquerable, solemn, proclaim
O
O
O
O
4) Read the sentence from the speech.
We look upon this shaken earth, and we declare our firm and fixed purpose—the building of a
peace with justice in a world where moral law prevails. (paragraph 18)
The word prevail is made up of the Latin roots pre, meaning “before,” and valere, meaning
“power.” Based on this information, what is the meaning of prevail?
A. to lose power
B. to make better
C. to move forward
D. to prove stronger
5) Read the sentences from the text.
Through the night of their bondage, the unconquerable will of heroes has struck with the swift,
sharp thrust of lightning. (paragraph 17)
What does President Eisenhower emphasize with the use of the phrase “the swift, sharp thrust
of lightning”?
A. the strength of the determination of opponents of Communism
B. the dangers that opponents of Communism face
C. the speed with which opponents of Communism have moved
D. the confidence of opponents of Communism that they are right
6) In the speech, how does President Eisenhower use abductive reasoning to draw conclusions
about the state of the world?
A. He uses many examples of struggling countries to suggest that the world is changing for
the worse.
B. He describes several places undergoing change to infer that change is happening
worldwide.
C. He uses examples of conflicts around the world to predict what the result of future
conflicts will be.
D. He describes the effects of Communism in a few countries to conclude that it is not a
valid economic system.

Answer 1

1) D — He reassures Americans about their nation’s character before asking their support against global problems.

2) A — It suggests people elsewhere are rising up/fighting for freedom (widespread upheaval).

3) Part A: A — to persuade his audience that Communism is a threat
Part B: B — divisive, dark, enslaved (negative, threatening language)

4) D — to prove stronger

5) C — the speed with which opponents of oppression have acted

6) B — he cites several places undergoing change to infer that change is occurring worldwide