Question

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly. It is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods. It would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER," and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God.
Whether the independence of the continent was declared too soon, or delayed too long, I will not now enter into as an argument. My own simple opinion is, that had it been eight months earlier, it would have been much better. We did not make a proper use of last winter, neither could we, while we were in a dependent state. However, the fault, if it were one, was all our own. We have none to blame but ourselves. But no great deal is lost yet. All that Howe* has been doing for this month past, is rather a ravage than a conquest, which the spirit of the Jerseys, a year ago, would have quickly repulsed, and which time and a little resolution will soon recover.
I have as little superstition in me as any man living, but my secret opinion has ever been, and still is, that God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them unsupportedly to perish, who have so earnestly and so repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war, by every decent method which wisdom could invent.

* William Howe, Commander in Chief of the British forces, led the campaign for the British to capture New York and New Jersey. The British won control of New York, but the Americans kept control of New Jersey.
5
In which way does the author's argument lack relevant evidence?
A.
The author should have defined what it meant to be a true patriot to the country.
B.
The author should have provided more details about why he thought Howe was a ravager.
C.
The author should have explained what had actually already been lost in the conflict.
D.
The author should have included details of what the colonies did to avoid conflict with Britain.

Answer 1

D

The author claims the colonists "earnestly and repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war, by every decent method which wisdom could invent" but gives no examples or details of those efforts, so the argument lacks supporting evidence for that claim.