The Long Road to Equality for women
Excerpt from Susan B. Anthony's Address to Congress in 1868
After more than 100 years of struggle, women in the United States finally won the night to vote in 1920. Sulfragist Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) dedicated her life to the cause of winning the vote for women. In 1866, Anthony read an appeal to the Congress of the United States for the enfranchisement of women.
“To the Senate and House of Representatives:
1. "Woman has always had the right to property and wages, the right to make contracts and do business in her own name. And even married women, by recent legislation, have been secured in these civil rights. Woman now holds a vast amount of the property in the country, and pays her full proportion of taxes. On what principle, then, do you deny her representation?
2. “We propose no new theories. We simply ask that you secure to ALL the practical application of the immutable principles of our government, without distinction of rack, color or sex, And we urge our demand now, because you have the opportunity and the power to take this onward step in legislation. The nations of the earth stand watching and waiting to see if our Revolutionary idea, "all men are created equal," con be realized in government: Crush not, we pray you, the million hopes that hang on our success. Men and parties must pass away, but justice is eternal.
3. "The only tenable ground of representation is UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE, as it is only through Universal Suffrage that the principle of "Equal Rights to All" can be resized. All prohibitions based on race, color, sex, property, or education, are violations of the republican idea. You assume to be the representatives of 15,000,000 women - American citizens- who already possess every attainable qualification for the ballot. Women read and write, hold many offices under government, pay taxes, and the penalties of crime, and yet are allowed to exercise but the one right of petition.
4. "With man, woman shared the dangers of the Mayflower on a stormy sea, the dreary landing on Plymouth Rock, the rigors of a New England winter, and the privations of a seven years' wait. With him she bravely threw off the British yoke, felt every pulsation of his heart for freedom, and inspires the glowing eloquence that maintained it through the century. With you we have just passed through the agony and death, the resurrection and triumph of another revolution, doing all in our power to mitigate is horrors and guard its glories. And now thank you we have no souls to fire, no brains to weigh your arguments, that after education such as this, we can stand silent witnesses while you sell our birthright of liberty to save from a timely death an effete political organization? No, as we respect womanhood, we must protest against this desecration of the magna Carta of American Liberties; and with an impartiality not to be…
In her blog, Rodriguez writes from the perspective of a student who is
- A. campaigning in a student election.
- B. commenting on a famous suffragist.
- C. advocating for women's rights.
- D. documenting an event.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Rodriguez’s blog focuses on the experiences and challenges faced by women, highlighting the importance of advocating for women's rights. This perspective aligns with option C, as it emphasizes activism and social justice. Option A, campaigning in a student election, is too narrow and does not capture the broader theme of women's rights. Option B, commenting on a famous suffragist, suggests a historical analysis rather than a personal advocacy stance. Option D, documenting an event, implies a neutral observation rather than an active promotion of women's rights. Thus, option C best reflects the intent and perspective of Rodriguez's writing.
Rodriguez’s blog focuses on the experiences and challenges faced by women, highlighting the importance of advocating for women's rights. This perspective aligns with option C, as it emphasizes activism and social justice. Option A, campaigning in a student election, is too narrow and does not capture the broader theme of women's rights. Option B, commenting on a famous suffragist, suggests a historical analysis rather than a personal advocacy stance. Option D, documenting an event, implies a neutral observation rather than an active promotion of women's rights. Thus, option C best reflects the intent and perspective of Rodriguez's writing.
Other Related Questions
Currently, the technology exists to meet a significant portion of the world's energy demands by converting wave power to electricity. If the author removed the word 'significant' from this sentence, the new sentence would
- A. show diminished potential for this technology.
- B. allow the reader to infer the importance of the technology.
- C. create a realistic portrayal of the technology.
- D. indicate a greater reliance on the technology.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Removing the word "significant" diminishes the perceived potential of wave power technology. Without it, the sentence suggests that the technology may only meet a minor portion of energy demands, which undercuts its viability and importance. Option B incorrectly implies that the omission would enhance the reader's understanding of the technology's importance, which is not the case. Option C suggests a realistic portrayal, but the removal leads to a less optimistic view rather than a realistic one. Option D misinterprets the change, as it does not indicate greater reliance; instead, it suggests a lesser impact.
Removing the word "significant" diminishes the perceived potential of wave power technology. Without it, the sentence suggests that the technology may only meet a minor portion of energy demands, which undercuts its viability and importance. Option B incorrectly implies that the omission would enhance the reader's understanding of the technology's importance, which is not the case. Option C suggests a realistic portrayal, but the removal leads to a less optimistic view rather than a realistic one. Option D misinterprets the change, as it does not indicate greater reliance; instead, it suggests a lesser impact.
…but as he drove his lance point into the sail the wind whirled it round with such force that it shivered the lance to pieces, sweeping with it horse and rider, who went rolling over on the plain, in a sorry condition.' Which definition matches the use of the word 'shivered' in the excerpt?
- A. splintered
- B. stuck
- C. swung
- D. surrendered
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
In the context of the excerpt, "shivered" refers to the action of breaking or splintering into pieces, which aligns with option A. The imagery of the lance being shattered by the force of the wind supports this interpretation. Option B, "stuck," does not fit, as the action described involves destruction, not adhesion. Option C, "swung," implies movement rather than breaking, which is not consistent with the context. Finally, option D, "surrendered," suggests giving up, which is unrelated to the physical destruction of the lance. Thus, only option A accurately captures the intended meaning of "shivered."
In the context of the excerpt, "shivered" refers to the action of breaking or splintering into pieces, which aligns with option A. The imagery of the lance being shattered by the force of the wind supports this interpretation. Option B, "stuck," does not fit, as the action described involves destruction, not adhesion. Option C, "swung," implies movement rather than breaking, which is not consistent with the context. Finally, option D, "surrendered," suggests giving up, which is unrelated to the physical destruction of the lance. Thus, only option A accurately captures the intended meaning of "shivered."
A slight breeze at this moment sprang up, and the great sails began to move, seeing which Don Quixote exclaimed, 'Though ye flourish more arms than the giant Briareus, ye have to reckon with me.' According to Greek legend, Briareus was a giant with a hundred arms and fifty heads who helped the gods in battles against foes. How does the author's comparison of the windmills to mythological giant function in the excerpt?
- A. The comparison advances the author's perspective about the dangers involved in acting before considering the consequences
- B. The comparison supports the author's characterization of Don Quixote as brave but misguided.
- C. The comparison advances the author's view that helping someone in need is an indication of true friendship.
- D. The comparison supports the author's purpose of showing the foolishness of Don Quixote for attacking windmills
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The comparison to Briareus highlights Don Quixote's bravery and misguided perception of reality. By equating the windmills to a formidable giant, the author emphasizes Don Quixote's noble intentions but also his delusions, showcasing his valor in the face of imaginary threats. Option A misinterprets the focus on bravery, as the excerpt centers more on Don Quixote's misconceptions than on the consequences of actions. Option C is irrelevant, as the passage does not address friendship or helping others. Option D, while touching on foolishness, overlooks the deeper characterization of Don Quixote's courage amidst his folly.
The comparison to Briareus highlights Don Quixote's bravery and misguided perception of reality. By equating the windmills to a formidable giant, the author emphasizes Don Quixote's noble intentions but also his delusions, showcasing his valor in the face of imaginary threats. Option A misinterprets the focus on bravery, as the excerpt centers more on Don Quixote's misconceptions than on the consequences of actions. Option C is irrelevant, as the passage does not address friendship or helping others. Option D, while touching on foolishness, overlooks the deeper characterization of Don Quixote's courage amidst his folly.
What is the relationship between paragraphs 7 and 8?
- A. Paragraph 8 presents a solution to a problem raised in paragraph 7.
- B. Paragraph 8 contrasts information in paragraph 7.
- C. Paragraph 8 applies a concept presented in paragraph 7.
- D. Paragraph 8 provides evidence for an issue presented in paragraph 7.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Paragraph 7 introduces a specific idea or situation, while paragraph 8 presents a contrasting viewpoint or alternative perspective, highlighting differences rather than similarities. This contrast is essential for understanding the complexity of the topic. Option A is incorrect as there is no solution offered in paragraph 8; it merely contrasts the information. Option C misinterprets the relationship; applying a concept implies continuity rather than opposition. Option D suggests that paragraph 8 supports paragraph 7, which is not the case since it presents a differing perspective rather than evidence. Thus, the relationship is one of contrast.
Paragraph 7 introduces a specific idea or situation, while paragraph 8 presents a contrasting viewpoint or alternative perspective, highlighting differences rather than similarities. This contrast is essential for understanding the complexity of the topic. Option A is incorrect as there is no solution offered in paragraph 8; it merely contrasts the information. Option C misinterprets the relationship; applying a concept implies continuity rather than opposition. Option D suggests that paragraph 8 supports paragraph 7, which is not the case since it presents a differing perspective rather than evidence. Thus, the relationship is one of contrast.