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…
With him she bravely threw off the British yoke, felt every pulsation of his heart for freedom, and inspired the glowing eloquence that maintained it through the century.' How would replacing the word 'yoke' with the word 'governance' affect the meaning of this sentence?
- A. it would add urgency for Americans to replace British laws with more republican ones
- B. it would strengthen the legitimacy of the American cause against the British.
- C. it would shift the blame for starting war from the British to the early Americans.
- D. it would weaken the idea that the British acted like masters of the Americans.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Replacing "yoke" with "governance" would weaken the idea that the British acted like masters of the Americans. "Yoke" conveys oppression and subjugation, emphasizing the burden imposed by British rule. In contrast, "governance" suggests a more neutral or structured form of authority, diminishing the sense of tyranny inherent in the original term. Option A misinterprets the context, as urgency is not directly related to the term change. Option B incorrectly assumes that "governance" would enhance legitimacy, which it wouldn't. Option C wrongly shifts blame, as the focus remains on British oppression rather than American actions.
Replacing "yoke" with "governance" would weaken the idea that the British acted like masters of the Americans. "Yoke" conveys oppression and subjugation, emphasizing the burden imposed by British rule. In contrast, "governance" suggests a more neutral or structured form of authority, diminishing the sense of tyranny inherent in the original term. Option A misinterprets the context, as urgency is not directly related to the term change. Option B incorrectly assumes that "governance" would enhance legitimacy, which it wouldn't. Option C wrongly shifts blame, as the focus remains on British oppression rather than American actions.
Other Related Questions
How does paragraph 3 function in the article?
- A. It develops the general point made in paragraph 2 by giving specific examples.
- B. It presents a counterargument to a claim made in paragraph 2.
- C. It discusses general topics that are further developed by concrete examples in paragraph 4.
- D. It provides a transition between a controversial topic begun in paragraph 2 and finished in paragraph 4.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Paragraph 3 effectively supports the general point established in paragraph 2 by presenting specific examples that illustrate the broader claim. This approach enhances understanding by grounding abstract ideas in concrete instances. Option B is incorrect as paragraph 3 does not introduce a counterargument; rather, it reinforces the main idea. Option C misrepresents the function of paragraph 3, as it does not merely discuss general topics but rather focuses on specific examples. Option D fails to capture the essence of paragraph 3, as it does not serve primarily as a transition but as a means to elaborate on the preceding claim.
Paragraph 3 effectively supports the general point established in paragraph 2 by presenting specific examples that illustrate the broader claim. This approach enhances understanding by grounding abstract ideas in concrete instances. Option B is incorrect as paragraph 3 does not introduce a counterargument; rather, it reinforces the main idea. Option C misrepresents the function of paragraph 3, as it does not merely discuss general topics but rather focuses on specific examples. Option D fails to capture the essence of paragraph 3, as it does not serve primarily as a transition but as a means to elaborate on the preceding claim.
Give two details from the excerpt to the main ideas they support. 1. William appreciates Hester. 2. William understands Hester.
- A. Willer saw the same circus animals as Hester
- B. William ignores Hester's agitation as she darns socks.
- C. William and Hester sit together in the evenings.
- D. William recognized Hester's fluency at prayer meetings
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B, C
Option B highlights William's awareness of Hester's emotions, as he chooses to overlook her agitation while she is engaged in a mundane task. This demonstrates his understanding and appreciation for her, indicating a deeper connection. Option C supports the idea of appreciation through the simple act of spending time together, suggesting a bond that goes beyond superficial interactions. Option A is irrelevant since shared experiences do not directly indicate appreciation or understanding. Option D, while showing recognition, does not convey the emotional connection necessary to support the main ideas effectively.
Option B highlights William's awareness of Hester's emotions, as he chooses to overlook her agitation while she is engaged in a mundane task. This demonstrates his understanding and appreciation for her, indicating a deeper connection. Option C supports the idea of appreciation through the simple act of spending time together, suggesting a bond that goes beyond superficial interactions. Option A is irrelevant since shared experiences do not directly indicate appreciation or understanding. Option D, while showing recognition, does not convey the emotional connection necessary to support the main ideas effectively.
How does paragraph 1 fit into the narrative structure of the excerpt?
- A. Paragraph 1 establishes the setting and the reason the narrator's family came to the palace.
- B. Paragraph 1 provides details about the narrator's feelings about the events of the evening.
- C. Paragraph 1 includes background about a conflict that arose from the narrator's feelings about fashion.
- D. Paragraph 1 describes the narrator's father and his performance at the concert.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Paragraph 1 effectively sets the scene by introducing the palace and explaining the family's reason for being there, which is essential for understanding the context of the narrative. This foundational information allows readers to grasp the significance of subsequent events. Option B incorrectly emphasizes the narrator's feelings, which may be explored later but are not the focus of paragraph 1. Option C misinterprets the content by suggesting a conflict related to fashion, which is not established in the opening. Option D mistakenly attributes a focus on the narrator's father and his performance, which may not be addressed in the introductory paragraph.
Paragraph 1 effectively sets the scene by introducing the palace and explaining the family's reason for being there, which is essential for understanding the context of the narrative. This foundational information allows readers to grasp the significance of subsequent events. Option B incorrectly emphasizes the narrator's feelings, which may be explored later but are not the focus of paragraph 1. Option C misinterprets the content by suggesting a conflict related to fashion, which is not established in the opening. Option D mistakenly attributes a focus on the narrator's father and his performance, which may not be addressed in the introductory paragraph.
The rooms were very grand. How would the meaning of this sentence be changed if the word 'grand' were replaced with 'large'?
- A. The sentence would describe the size of the room but not their magnificence.
- B. The sentence would provide information about the historical period in which these rooms were used.
- C. The sentence would offer insight into the particular decorations of the rooms but not the dimensions.
- D. The sentence would refer to the number of people the rooms would accommodate.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Replacing "grand" with "large" alters the focus of the description. "Grand" conveys a sense of magnificence, elegance, and impressive beauty, while "large" simply indicates size without any connotation of splendor. Thus, option A accurately reflects that the sentence shifts from describing both size and magnificence to solely addressing size. Option B incorrectly suggests a historical context, which isn't implied by either term. Option C misinterprets the focus on decorations rather than size. Option D mistakenly assumes a focus on capacity, which is not relevant to the original meaning about the rooms.
Replacing "grand" with "large" alters the focus of the description. "Grand" conveys a sense of magnificence, elegance, and impressive beauty, while "large" simply indicates size without any connotation of splendor. Thus, option A accurately reflects that the sentence shifts from describing both size and magnificence to solely addressing size. Option B incorrectly suggests a historical context, which isn't implied by either term. Option C misinterprets the focus on decorations rather than size. Option D mistakenly assumes a focus on capacity, which is not relevant to the original meaning about the rooms.