1 1

...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Questions 33-42 are based on the following
passage. guides, until he was surrounded on every side, with
This passage is adapted from a letter written in December 45 fire and water. The fire was certain destruction, and a
1831 by Captain George Harkins, the chief of the Choctaw feeble hope was left him of escaping by water. Who
Nation, in response to the forced removal of the Choctaw would hesitate, or who would say that his plunging
people from their land in the Southeast to a reservation in into the water was his own voluntary act? Painful in
Oklahoma in a journey that became known as the Trail of the extreme is the mandate of our expulsion. We
Tears. Harkins wrote this letter to the American people while 50 regret that it should proceed from the mouth of our
accompanying the Choctaw on the trek to their new home. professed friend
It is with considerable diffidence that I attempt to I will not conceal from you my fears that the
address the American people, knowing and feeling present grounds may be removed. I have my
sensibly my incompetency. But having determined to foreboding; who of us can tell after witnessing what
Line emigrate west of the Mississippi river this fall as 55 has already been done, what the next force may be. I
5 legislated, I have thought proper in bidding you ask you in the name of justice, for repose for myself
farewell to make a few remarks expressive of my and for my injured people. Let us alone—we will not
views, and the feelings that actuate me on the subject harm you, we want rest. We hope, in the name of
of our removal. Believing that our all is at stake and justice, that another outrage may never be committed
knowing that you readily sympathize with the 60 against us, and that we may for the future be cared
10 distressed of every country, I confidently throw for as children and not driven about as beasts, which
myself upon your indulgence and ask you to listen are benefitted by a change of pasture.
patiently. Friends, my attachment to my native land was
We could not recognize the right that the state of strong—that cord is now broken; and we must go
Mississippi had assumed, to legislate for us. Although 65 forth as wanderers in a strange land! I must go—Let
15 the legislature of the state was qualified to make laws me entreat you to regard us with feelings of
for their own citizens, that did not qualify them to kindness, and when the hand of oppression is
become law makers to a people that were so stretched against us, let me hope that a warning voice
dissimilar in manners and customs as the Choctaw may be heard from every part of the United States,
are to the Mississippians. We were hedged in by two 70 filling the mountains, and the valleys will echo and
evils, and we chose that which we thought the least. say stop, you have no power; we are the sovereign
20
We as Choctaw rather chose to suffer and be free, people, and our friends shall no more be disturbed.
than live under the degrading influence of laws, We ask you for nothing that is removed from your
which our voice could not be heard in their formation other duties.
Much as the state of Mississippi has wronged us, I 75 We go forth sorrowful, knowing that wrong has
25 cannot find in my heart any other sentiment than an been done. Will you extend to us your sympathizing
ardent wish for her prosperity and happiness. regards until all traces of disagreeable oppositions
I could cheerfully hope that those of another age are obliterated, and we again shall have confidence
and generation may not feel the effects of those in the professions of our white brethren? Here is the
oppressive measures that have been so illiberally dealt 80 land of our progenitors, and here are their bones;
30 out to us, and that peace and happiness may be their they left them as a sacred deposit, and we have been
reward. Amid the gloom and horrors of the present compelled to venerate its trust; it [is] dear to me, yet I
separation occasionedby law, we are cheered with a cannot stay, my people [are] dear to me, with them
hope that ere long we shall reach our destined land, I must go. Could I stay and forget them and leave
and that nothing short of the basest acts of treachery 85 them to struggle alone, unaided, unfriended, and
35 will ever be able to wrest it from us, and that we may forgotten, by our great father? I should then be
live free. Although your ancestors seized freedom on unworthy the name of a Choctaw and be a disgrace to
the field of danger and glory, our ancestors rightly my blood. I must go with them; my destiny is cast
possessed it as their birthright, and we have had to among the Choctaw people. If they suffer, so will I; if
purchase it from you as the vilest slaves buy their 90 they prosper, then will I rejoice. Let me again ask you
40 freedom. to regard us with feelings of kindness.
Yet it is said that our present movements are our
own voluntary acts—such is not the case. We found
ourselves like a benighted stranger, following false

Unauthorized copying or reuse of any part of this page is illegal. CO NTI N U E

 1 1
33 36

...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The first paragraph serves mainly to Harkins indicates that he desires future
generations of Choctaw people to
A) introduce Harkins to the American people and
explain his reasons for emigrating west. A) reclaim the land that was forcibly taken from the
present generation.
B) apologize to the American people for ineloquently
expressing his concerns. B) experience none of the injustices that the
Choctaw people now face.
C) request the American people listen to his opinions
about the Choctaw Nation's removal.. C) beware that they may be forced to leave the land
that the government has just given them.
D) urge the American people to be patient while the
D) adopt a neutral stance in order to avoid future
Choctaw Nation journeys to their new home.
conflict with the American justice system.
34 37
In Lines 36-37, the use of the words "seized" and Which choice provides the best evidence to support the
"rightly possessed" enables Harkins to idea that Harkins views the measures enacted by
Mississippi as irrelevant to himself and his people?
A) heighten his disapproval of the American
government's actions by hinting at his own A) Lines 3-8 ("But…removal")
ambivalence concerning the issue. B) Lines 14-19 ("Although…Mississippians")
B) attempt to provoke the American people's sense of C) Lines 19-23 ("We…formation")
outrage by highlighting his own people's tolerance.
D) Lines 31-36 ("Amid…free")
C) emphasize the paternal relationship between the
Americans and the Choctaw by employing a bitter
tone.
D) reproach the American people for their unethical
behavior by emphasizing his people's prior claim to
the land.

35
As used in Line 53, "removed" most nearly means
A) destroyed.
B) emigrated.
C) transferred.
D) disconnected.

Unauthorized copying or reuse of any part of this page is illegal. CO NTI N U E

 1 1
38 41

...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
In Lines 63-66, "Friends" and "Let me entreat" are Harkins most directly implies that the journey to
used to give Harkins' comments a type of their new home was a result of the

A) amicable pleading. A) trust they invested in people who purposefully

deceived them.
B) polite rebuke.
B) voluntary actions taken by the Choctaw Nation.
C) ironic sympathy.
C) difference in customs between the Choctaw and
D) helpless frustration.
Mississippians.
39 D) opportunities for a better life in a new land.
Harkins suggests that the current situation has
placed the Choctaw Nation in the predicament of
42
A) balancing its desire to protect the graves of their
ancestors with the obligation to assimilate into a Harkins makes the claim that the American people's
new culture. sympathetic support would affect the Choctaw Nation by
B) admitting certain complications to their claim of A) reproducing earlier feelings of mutual respect.
the land now owned by the state government.
B) allowing them to reclaim their confiscated land.
C) choosing one unfortunate course of action over
another one with more disastrous consequences. C) restoring their trust in the American people.
D) maintaining peace with the people of the United D) improving trade relations with the American
States despite the government's confiscation of people.
their land.

40
Which choice provides the best evidence for the
answer to the previous question?

A) Lines 31-36 ("Amid…free")

B) Lines 42-48 ("We…act")
C) Lines 48-51 ("Painful…friend")
D) Line 89-90 ("If they…rejoice")

Unauthorized copying or reuse of any part of this page is illegal. CO NTI N U E