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Practice Reading: Multiple Choice, Single Answer ID: #34354 War of Independence
Instructions ›
Read the text and answer the multiple-choice question by selecting the correct response. Only one response is correct.
By the time the American colonists took up arms against Great Britain in order to secure their independence, the institution of Black slavery was deeply entrenched. But the contradiction inherent in this situation was, for many, a source of constant embarrassment. "It always appeared a most iniquitous scheme to me,"Abigail Adams wrote her husband in 1774, "to fight ourselves for what we are daily robbing and plundering from those who have as good a right to freedom as we have."Many Americans besides Abigail Adams were struck by the inconsistency of their stand during the War of Independence, and they were not averse to making moves to emancipate the slaves. Quakers and other religious groups organized antislavery societies, while numerous individuals manumitted their slaves. In fact, within several years of the end of the War of Independence, most of the Eastern states had made provisions for the gradual emancipation of slaves.

Which of the following best states the central idea of the passage?

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Result:

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Option 3: "The War of Independence exposed to many Americans the contradiction of slavery in a country seeking its freedom and resulted in efforts to resolve that contradiction."

Explanation: This option accurately captures the central idea of the passage. The text discusses how the War of Independence led many Americans to recognize the hypocrisy of fighting for freedom while enslaving others, prompting actions towards emancipation. This aligns with the main theme of the text.

Option 1: "The War of Independence produced among many Black Americans a heightened consciousness of the inequities in American society."

Explanation: This option suggests that the War of Independence primarily affected Black Americans' awareness of societal inequities. However, the text focuses on how many white Americans, including Abigail Adams, recognized the contradiction of fighting for freedom while enslaving others. Therefore, this option does not accurately reflect the central idea of the passage.

Option 2: "The War of Independence strengthened the bonds of slavery of many Black Americans while intensifying their desire to be free."

Explanation: This option implies that the War of Independence reinforced slavery, which contradicts the text's emphasis on the growing awareness and actions taken by many Americans against slavery. The passage highlights efforts to emancipate slaves rather than strengthening slavery, making this option incorrect.

Option 4: "The War of Independence provoked strong criticisms by many Americans of the institution of slavery, but produced little substantive action against it."

Explanation: While this option acknowledges criticisms of slavery, it incorrectly states that little action was taken against it. The text clearly mentions that many individuals and groups, including Quakers, took significant steps towards emancipation, contradicting this option's claim.

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