Question

document 1 - eyewitness account by captain thomas preston (british soldier)
captain thomas preston, british soldier
the mob still increased and were outrageous, striking their clubs or bludgeons one against another, and calling out \come on you rascals, you bloody backs, you lobster scoundrels, fire if you dare... we know you dare not\, and much more such language was used. at this time i was between the soldiers and the mob, parleying with and endeavoring all in my power to persuade them to retire peaceably, but to no purpose.
they the civilians advanced to the points of the bayonets, struck some of them and even the muzzles of the pieces, and seemed to be endeavoring to close with the soldiers. on which some well - behaved persons asked me if the guns were charged. i replied yes. they then asked me if i intended to order the men to fire. i answered no, by no means, observing to them that i was advanced before the muzzles of the mens pieces, and must fall a sacrifice if they fired; that the soldiers were upon the half cock and charged bayonets, and my giving the word fire under those circumstances would prove me to be no officer.
while i was thus speaking one of the soldiers, having received a severe blow with a stick, stepped a little to one side and instantly fired... on this a general attack was made on the men by a great number of heavy clubs and snowballs being thrown at them, by which all our lives were in imminent danger... some persons at the same time from behind calling out \why dont you fire\. instantly three or four of the soldiers fired... on my asking the soldiers why they fired without orders, they said they heard the word fire and supposed it came from me. this might be the case as many of the mob called out fire, fire, but i assured the men that i gave no such order... that my words were \dont fire, stop your firing\...
bludgeons: a short, thick club that is thicker at one end.
scoundrel: a dishonest person
parley: a discussion between opposite sides.
bayonet: a blade that is put on the end of a rifle.
muzzle: the part of a gun that the bullet comes out of.
endeavor: attempt to meet a goal.

1. according to captain thomas preston (document 1), did he give the order for the british soldiers to fire on the crowd of colonists?

a. yes
b. no

1. according to captain thomas preston (document 1), who was yelling the words \fire, fire\?

a. the british soldiers
b. the american colonists
c. he was

1. according to captain thomas preston (document 1), which group was striking (hitting) the other with clubs and snowballs?

a. the colonists were hitting the british soldiers with snowballs and clubs
b. the british soldiers were hitting the colonists with snowballs and clubs

Explanation:

1. In the account, Captain Thomas Preston states he did not give the order to fire. He says "I answered no, by no means" when asked if he intended to order the men to fire and later assures the soldiers that his words were "don't fire, stop your firing".
2. The text mentions that many of the mob (American colonists) called out "fire, fire".
3. It is stated that a great number of heavy clubs and snow - balls were thrown at the British soldiers by the colonists.

Answer:

1. b. No
2. b. The American colonists
3. a. The colonists were hitting the British soldiers with snowballs and clubs