Question

1. which of the following best describes the main argument of the excerpt from margaret chase smiths speech? a. many u.s citizens hold or know someone who holds unpopular beliefs. b. unfounded accusations have undermined the constitutional principles of the united states. c. extraordinary events justify the suspension of some civil liberties in the u.s. d. the u.s. senate must change the manner in which it conducts its everyday responsibilities.

critical reading

the questions below are based on the following selection.

in this excerpt from the wonders of the invisible world, cotton mather reports on the testimony of martha carrier at the salem witchcraft trials in august 1692. mather viewed the outbreak of witchcraft as a last - ditch effort by the devil to reclaim the souls of those who had once written their names in his book. mather used roman numerals to separate sections of testimony.

iii. benjamin abbot gave his testimony that last march was a twelvemonth this carrier was very angry with him upon laying out some land near her husbands. her expressions in this anger were that she would stick as close to abbot as the bark stuck to the tree, and that he should repent of it afore seven years came to an end, so as doctor prescot should never cure him. these words were heard by others besides abbot himself, who also heard her say she would hold his nose as close to the grindstone as ever it was held since his name was abbot. presently after this, he was taken with a swelling in his foot, and then with a pain in his side, and exceedingly tormented. it bred into a sore, which was lanced by doctor prescot, and several gallons of corruption ran out of it. for six weeks it continued very bad, and then another sore bred in the groin, which was also lanced by doctor prescot. another sore then bred in his groin, which was likewise cut, and put him to very great misery. he was brought unto deaths door and so remained until carrier was taken and carried away by the constable, from which very day he began to mend and so grew better every day and is well ever since.

sarah abbot also, his wife, testified that her husband was not only afflicted in his body, but also that strange, extraordinary, and unaccountable calamities befell his cattle, their death being such as they could guess at no natural reason for.

iv. allin toothaker testified that richard, the son of martha carrier, having some difference with him, pulled him down by the hair of the head. when he rose again he was going to strike at richard carrier but fell down flat on his back to the ground and had not power to stir hand or foot until he told carrier he yielded, and then he saw the shape of martha carrier go off his breast.

1. which one of the following is not a good paraphrase of the second paragraph? a. sarah abbot testifies that her husbands cattle were stricken with weird ailments. b. sarah abbot testifies about her husbands cattle. c. abbots wife swears that livestock fell ill and died for no apparent reason. d. abbots cattle suffer unexplainable sickness, according to his wife.

1. benjamin abbot claims that martha carrier cast a spell on him a. after moving away. b. after he had worked some land near her husbands. c. before he developed a bad cough. d. when he testified against her.

1. according to abbots testimony, how long was carrier angry with him? a. one year b. eight months c. three weeks d. over a year

Explanation:

1. Analyzing Margaret Chase Smith's speech context, unfounded accusations often undermine constitutional principles, which is a common theme in political - related discourses.
2. Option b is too general as it doesn't mention the strange and unexplained nature of the cattle's ailments like the other options do.
3. The text states Benjamin Abbot gave his testimony that last March was a twelve - month and Martha Carrier was angry with him upon laying out some land near her husband's, so it was after working land near her husband's.
4. Benjamin Abbot said last March was a twelve - month and Carrier was angry with him then, indicating she was angry for one year.

Answer:

1. b
2. b
3. b
4. a