The Critical Reading Practice 1

Here is a new idea. Instead of trying to practice millions of Critical Reading passages, here is a smarter way to do it: Read some famous passages.

So, here's one:

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/gadd/images/Gettysburg-2.jpg

This is Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. While you read the passage, here are questions from my literature book (answers are what I think; you may disagree and if you do so, please leave a comment).

RECALL
1. What words does Lincoln use to describe the United States in the opening sentence?
2. For what reason, according to Lincoln, are he and those in the audience gathered together?
3. According to Lincoln, who has already consecrated the battlefield?
4. In Lincoln's opinion, to what should "the living" dedicate themselves?
5. How does Lincoln describe the government of the United States?
INTERPRET
6. From the opening sentence, what can you infer about Lincoln's ideas about government? What might he address in the rest of the speech?
7. THEME CONNECTIONS: How, in your opinion, does Lincoln believe the nation is being tested? Explain, using details from the speech.
8. In your opinion, in what ways does Lincoln believe that the battlefield has already been consecrated?
9. What, in your opinion, are the "unfinished work" and the "great task remaining before us" to which Lincoln refers? Support your answer with details from the speech.
10. Reread Lincoln's final words in which he describes the government of the United States. What do you think this description means?
EVALUATE AND CONNECT
11. What, in your opinion, was Lincoln's PURPOSE (or what were his purposes) in presenting the Gettysburg Address? Cite details from the speech to support your answer.
12. Describe Lincoln's TONE in his speech. How does his tone support his message?
13. Lincoln made his Gettysburg Address well over one hundred years ago. Do you think the speech is relevant to Americans now? Explain.
14. This speech is often quoted. What, in your opinion, makes it so memorable and inspiring? Support your opinion with examples.










Answers...

1. United States as "so conceived and so dedicated."
2. To honor people, both dead and alive, who fought here during the Civil War.
3. Brave men who served in the battle consecrated (SAT word: to set apart as sacred; to make or declare holy) before Lincoln and others.
4. Basically, unites the great nation and makes sure that people's deaths were not in vain. Using Lincoln's words:
"...that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom ------- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
5. Formed in liberty and under statement that all men are created equal.
6. Lincoln's idea of govt = equality and freedom; maybe how distinct we are to show that nothing like Civil War should occur again
7. By Civil War and America's struggle for it:
"Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure."
8. People had fought, risked their lives, and let people to come to realization.
9. Ending the quarrel between North and South
"that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom."
10. Government = people
11. Two things: To honor the dead and respect for their lives; To let people know that this should not repeat
12. It's very solemn (SAT word: serious)
13. Yes; America, despite its many changes, still does two things that Lincoln tried. In any event, deaths are honored for their commitments and give equal government to all (at least try to do this).
14. It's pithy (SAT word: concisely meaningful). Although done in merely 2 minutes, it directly says what needs to be said. Strong message yet touching as well; This address shows Lincoln's evident brilliance.