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…
What was the main purpose for Anthony's speech?
- A. to implore Congress to extend the right to vote to women
- B. to clarify the principles that guided the establishment laws in the United States
- C. to describe the role women have played in history in the United States
- D. to remind Congress of the property rights given to women
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Anthony's speech primarily aimed to advocate for women's suffrage, urging Congress to extend voting rights to women. This aligns directly with option A. Option B misinterprets the focus of the speech; while principles of governance may be mentioned, the core message is not about clarifying foundational laws. Option C inaccurately emphasizes a historical overview rather than the immediate call to action for women's voting rights. Option D, while addressing women's rights, incorrectly shifts the focus to property rights, which is not the central theme of Anthony's advocacy in this context.
Anthony's speech primarily aimed to advocate for women's suffrage, urging Congress to extend voting rights to women. This aligns directly with option A. Option B misinterprets the focus of the speech; while principles of governance may be mentioned, the core message is not about clarifying foundational laws. Option C inaccurately emphasizes a historical overview rather than the immediate call to action for women's voting rights. Option D, while addressing women's rights, incorrectly shifts the focus to property rights, which is not the central theme of Anthony's advocacy in this context.
Other Related Questions
How does paragraph 6 fit into the problem-solution structure of the article?
- A. It introduces the problem of harboring wild animals without endangering neighbors.
- B. It provides a solution for containing debris without offending neighbors.
- C. It extends the solution for disposing of trash without spreading offensive odors.
- D. It reveals the problem of maintaining the landfill without harming the wild animals living there.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Paragraph 6 effectively addresses a solution for containing debris, ensuring that it does not offend neighbors. This aligns with the article's problem-solution structure by directly tackling community concerns about waste management. Option A incorrectly suggests that the paragraph introduces a problem rather than a solution. Option C misidentifies the focus, as it relates to trash odors rather than debris containment. Option D also misinterprets the content, as it implies a problem regarding landfills and wildlife, which is not the focus of this paragraph. Thus, B accurately encapsulates the paragraph's role in resolving a specific issue.
Paragraph 6 effectively addresses a solution for containing debris, ensuring that it does not offend neighbors. This aligns with the article's problem-solution structure by directly tackling community concerns about waste management. Option A incorrectly suggests that the paragraph introduces a problem rather than a solution. Option C misidentifies the focus, as it relates to trash odors rather than debris containment. Option D also misinterprets the content, as it implies a problem regarding landfills and wildlife, which is not the focus of this paragraph. Thus, B accurately encapsulates the paragraph's role in resolving a specific issue.
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.
Why does the author mention Lissa in paragraph 5?
- A. to show that Burl is frustrated over losing money
- B. to foreshadow Burl's anxieties about his business
- C. to portray Burl's real feelings toward the thief
- D. to emphasize how Burl finds himself deep in thought
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The mention of Lissa in paragraph 5 serves to emphasize how Burl finds himself deep in thought. This moment reflects his internal struggle and contemplation, highlighting the emotional weight of the situation. Option A incorrectly suggests that the focus is on Burl's frustration over financial loss, which is not the primary concern in this context. Option B misinterprets the mention of Lissa as a foreshadowing of anxieties, whereas the text focuses more on Burl's immediate reflections. Option C inaccurately implies that Lissa's mention reveals Burl's feelings toward the thief, diverting attention from his introspective state.
The mention of Lissa in paragraph 5 serves to emphasize how Burl finds himself deep in thought. This moment reflects his internal struggle and contemplation, highlighting the emotional weight of the situation. Option A incorrectly suggests that the focus is on Burl's frustration over financial loss, which is not the primary concern in this context. Option B misinterprets the mention of Lissa as a foreshadowing of anxieties, whereas the text focuses more on Burl's immediate reflections. Option C inaccurately implies that Lissa's mention reveals Burl's feelings toward the thief, diverting attention from his introspective state.
What is the main idea of this article?
- A. Equipment used to create power from ocean wave energy has become increasingly efficient.
- B. Increased utilization of ocean wave power could help reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
- C. Ocean wave technology has great potential and also some disadvantages.
- D. Ocean waves may be beneficial and capturing their power has proven to preserve marine ecosystems.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The main idea encompasses both the potential and the drawbacks of ocean wave technology, highlighting a balanced view of its implications. Option A focuses solely on efficiency, missing the broader context of benefits and challenges. Option B emphasizes reducing fossil fuel reliance, which is a benefit but not the overarching theme. Option D discusses environmental benefits but overlooks the associated disadvantages. In contrast, option C effectively captures the complexity of ocean wave technology, acknowledging its promise while also recognizing the potential downsides.
The main idea encompasses both the potential and the drawbacks of ocean wave technology, highlighting a balanced view of its implications. Option A focuses solely on efficiency, missing the broader context of benefits and challenges. Option B emphasizes reducing fossil fuel reliance, which is a benefit but not the overarching theme. Option D discusses environmental benefits but overlooks the associated disadvantages. In contrast, option C effectively captures the complexity of ocean wave technology, acknowledging its promise while also recognizing the potential downsides.