Question 3 of 20 • $2526: SEM 1: 1001370: English 3: NEW credit
Read the excerpt from “First Joint Debate at Ottawa,” by Abraham Lincoln. Now, I have no means of totally disproving such charges as this which the Judge makes. A man cannot prove a negative; but he has a right to claim, that when a man makes an affirmative charge, he must offer some proof to show the truth of what he says. I certainly cannot introduce testimony to show the negative about things, but I have a right to claim that if a man says he knows a thing, then he must show how he knows it. I always have a right to claim this, and it is not satisfactory to me that he may be “conscientious” on the subject.Does the author use a consistent tone in the passage?
Answer
A
No, the author switches from casual to formal diction.
B
No, the author switches from subjective to condescending diction.
C
Yes, the author uses diction that is academic and formal.
D
Yes, the author uses diction that is lighthearted and informal.