from Civil Disobedience Rhetorical Analysis

In paragraph 16, “the evil” most likely refers to

• disobeying an unjust law

• working to change an unjust law

• arguing in favor of an unjust law

• an unjust law itself

• breaking a just law

In paragraph 18, “the remedy” most likely refers to

• breaking unjust laws

• openly questioning unjust laws

• passively obeying all laws, just or unjust

• docilely waiting to disobey unjust laws until they are repealed

• patiently convincing others to change unjust laws

Which of the following statements best captures the author’s main argument?

• Government is inherently evil.

• Settling for being cheated is unintelligent.

• Government is a machine.

• Obeying unjust laws is morally wrong.

• Accordance between thought and action must be avoided.

This writer’s attitude toward the government could be best described as

• deferential and inquisitive

• rebellious and cynical

• skeptical but altruistic

• frightened but tempered

• burdened but faithful

The example of the cheated neighbor the writer uses to develop his argument in paragraph 15 primarily illustrates that

• civilization exists to manage resources and currency

• reliance on other people to be moral builds community

• petitioning people to be moral leads to nonviolent resolution

• handling money inherently breeds interpersonal conflict

• awareness of injustice demands assertive action be taken

The author includes the examples of the two jailed tax dodgers in paragraph 17 in order to illustrate the

• unfair and capricious quality of the law

• unjust conditions inside debtor’s prisons

• political power that money possesses in America

• importance of paying one’s taxes on time

• dire overreach of the prison system

In describing the government as a “machine” in paragraph 18, it is the writer’s purpose to depict the government as a(n)

• ominous, cold, unfeeling monster

• complex tool created by its citizens in order to serve its citizens

• efficient smooth-running operating system

• inflexible, unthinking entity unable to discriminate among its citizens

• all-powerful and immoveable oppressor

At the end of paragraph 16, the writer alludes to a series of historical figures in order to

• support his argument to dissolve the Union due to its unjust government

• downplay the importance of action on sincerely held beliefs

• concede that not all people who break the law are heroes

• show a spectrum of ineffective to effective rebels throughout history

• appeal to his audience’s admiration for these law-breakers’ heroism

What is the writer's view on the role of government as expressed in paragraph 1?

• Government should govern as much as possible.

• Government should not exist at all.

• Government is a necessary evil.

• Government should be minimal and only act when necessary.

According to paragraph 19, what is the author's stance on petitioning the government?

• It is the duty of every citizen.

• It is unnecessary and ineffective.

• It is the only way to bring about change.

• It should be done only when all else fails.