The Art of Argument — Test Answers

Read the passage from chapter 17 of The Prince. Therefore a prince, so long as he keeps his subjects united and loyal, ought not to mind the reproach of cruelty; because with a few examples he will be more merciful than those who, through too much mercy, allow disorders to arise, from which follow murders or robberies; for these are wont to injure the whole people, whilst those executions which originate with a prince offend the individual only. What meaning is emphasized by the use of the words merciful and mercy in the passage?

Read the passage from chapter 17 of The Prince. Therefore a prince, so long as he keeps his subjects united and loyal, ought not to remind the reproach of cruelty; because with a few examples he will be more merciful than those who, through too much mercy, allow disorders to arise, from which follow murders or robberies; for these are wont to injure the whole people, whilst those executions which originate with a prince offend the individual only. Which statement best summarizes the author’s claim?

Read the excerpt from President Ronald Reagan’s speech on the night before the 1980 presidential election. I know that tonight the fate of America’s 52 hostages is very much on the minds of all of us. Like you, there is nothing I want more than their safe return—that they be reunited with their families after this long year of imprisonment. When they have returned, all of us will be turning to the concerns that will determine the course of America in the next four years. A child born this year will begin his or her adult life in what will be the 21st century. What kind of country, what kind of legacy will we leave to these young men and women who will live out America’s third century as a nation? Which techniques does President Reagan use in this excerpt? Choose four correct answers.

Read the excerpt from President Ronald Reagan’s speech on the night before the 1980 presidential election. And many Americans today, just as they did 200 years ago, feel burdened, stifled and sometimes even oppressed by government that has grown too large, too bureaucratic, too wasteful, too unresponsive, too uncaring about people and their problems. Which statement best describes the rhetorical technique used in this excerpt?