“Gettysburg Address”

Directions: ​Read the “Gettysburg Address,” a speech by President Abraham Lincoln. Then,
answer the questions.

[1] Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation,
conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

[2] Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so
conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We
have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave
their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

[3] But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate-we cannot consecrate-we cannot hallow-this
ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our
poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but
it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the
unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us
to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us-that from these honored dead we take
increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion-that we
here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain-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.
“​Gettysburg Address​” ​Quiz
1. What is the effect of using the phrase “conceived in Liberty” at the beginning of the speech?

A. It portrays an extreme sense of patriotism for the Civil War.

B. It describes how the attack against Gettysburg took place.
C. It emphasizes that America was founded upon freedom​.
D. It exaggerates how the President feels about history.

2. This question has 2 parts.

Part A: What is the tone of the speaker throughout the poem?

A. Cruel
B. Furious
C. ​Fervent
D. Kindhearted

Part B: What phrase supports your answer to Part A?

A. ​“It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought
here have thus far so nobly advanced.​”
B. “that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth”
C. “Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation”
D. “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here”

3. What is the effect of the repetition of the word “we” in the speech?

A. It references who is listening.

B. It depicts the inevitability of conflict with people.
C. It illustrates the unity between the President and the audience​.
D. It accentuates the magnitude concerning how much the soldiers have fought.

4. This question has 2 parts.

Part A: What is the central idea of the speech?

A. The President discusses the merits of the battle and what they could have done differently.
B. ​The President honors the soldiers who died and encourages a recommitment to fight.
C. The President admonishes those people in the audience who chose not to participate.
D. The President celebrates the lives of the soldiers and promises to end the war.

Part B: Which 2 quotations support the answer to Part A?

 ​“The world will little note”
 ​“nor long remember what we say here”
 ​“We are met on a great battle-field of that war”
 ​“We have come to dedicate a portion of that field”
 ​“It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us”
 ​“the government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth”
5. This question has 2 parts.

Part A: How does the President describe the soldiers?

A. He views them as superior.
B.​ He views them as stubborn.
C​.​ He views them as courageous.
D. He views them as cooperative.

Part B: What 2 words support your answer to Part A?

 ​“we”
 ​“dead”
 ​“brave”
 ​“deceive”
 ​“​honored”
 ​“freedom”

6. This question has 2 parts.

Part A: How does the structure of the speech affect its meaning?

A. The speech sets up an argument with reasons to convince the audience to declare war.
B. The speech uses a description of an event to promote the continuance of fighting.
C. The speech presents the steps of a process to explain how to accomplish victory.
D. T​he speech utilizes many stories to convey that a struggle is inevitable.

Part B: Select 2 quotations that support the answer to Part A.

 ​“We are met on a great battle-field of that war.”
 ​“But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate-we cannot consecrate-we cannot hallow-this ground.”
 ​“The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they
did here.​”
 ​“We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave
their lives that that nation might live.”
 ​“It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought
here have thus far so nobly advanced.”
 ​“Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation,
conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”

7. What is the author’s purpose in this speech?

A. To call for an end to the war.
B. To stress the difficulties of war.
C​. To honor those who died in the war.
D. To sympathize with people in the war.
8. This question has 2 parts.

Part A: How is the President’s point of view similar to that of previous American leaders?

A. They both recognized the necessity of a nation’s liberty.

B. They both thought that America no longer had a need for liberty.
C. They both were familiar with historical inaccuracies regarding liberty.
D. ​They both believed that the Civil War was essential to maintaining libert​y.

Part B: Underline the sentence that best supports the answer to Part A.

1) Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in
Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. 2) Now we are engaged in a great
civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. 3) We
are met on a great battle-field of that war. 4​) We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final
resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live.​ 5) It is altogether fitting and
proper that we should do this.

9. What is the theme of the speech?

A. Everyone should fight for their rights.

B. Conflict is a central part of everyday life.
C. The promotion of peace is critical for all people.
D. True freedom requires sacrifice and determination.

10. What is the effect of the description in the following quotation?

“that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full
measure of devotion”

A. It highlights America’s focus on rejoicing with dead soldiers.

B. It accentuates the level of commitment of those who died.
C. It criticizes how the United States reacts to death.
D. It hyperbolizes the devastation of Gettysburg.