Question

activity 3 reading comprehension: colonial courts
directions: darken the circle for the correct answer, or write your answer in the space provided.
colonial courts
colonial courts made up another important part of colonial governments. while royal officials could have a strong influence on colonial courts, the courts generally reflected the interests and beliefs of their local communities. for example, many laws in massachusetts enforced the puritans religious beliefs. laws based on the bible, rather than on english common law, set the standard for the communitys conduct.
sometimes colonial courts also protected individual freedoms. for example, a court case involving john peter zenger established colonists right to freedom of the press. in 1733 zenger published criticisms in his newspaper of the royal governor of new york. officials accused zenger of libel, a false written statement that damages a persons reputation. he was then arrested and charged with libel against a public official.
at his trial zengers attorney, andrew hamilton, argued that zenger had the right to publish whatever he wished, as long as it could be proven to be true. the chief justice of the court disagreed with this argument, explaining to the jury that
othing can be worse to any government than to have people attempt to create distrust and dislike of the management of it.\ the jury declared zenger not guilty, agreeing with hamiltons defense that a person had the right to print harmful information if it was true. the jurys decision showed its dislike of the royal governor and its belief that colonists had a right to voice their opinions openly. whenever possible, colonists used the courts to extend their control over local affairs.
1 this selection is mostly about—
a the courage of attorney andrew hamilton.
b the role of colonial courts in protecting freedom.
c the problem of libel in the colonies.
d the career of john peter zenger.
2 what was the main role of the colonial courts?
f to protect the rights of the community
g to represent the royal officials in the colony
h to keep colonists out of prison
j to defend individuals accused of crimes
3 colonial courts were—
a completely independent of the government.
b usually controlled by royal officials.
c always based on english common law.
d an important part of colonial governments.
4 in this selection, the word libel means—
f an apology.
g a falsehood.
h a court case.
j an alliance.

Explanation:

1. The passage focuses on how colonial courts protected freedoms like in the Zenger case.
2. Colonial courts safeguarded individual freedoms such as press - freedom, indicating protection of community rights.
3. The text starts by stating colonial courts were an important part of colonial governments.
4. The text defines libel as a false written statement that damages a person's reputation.

Answer:

1. B. the role of colonial courts in protecting freedom.
2. F. to protect the rights of the community.
3. D. an important part of colonial governments.
4. G. a falsehood.