This passage is from the Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11

and 28, 1776, and adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4th of that year.

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political
bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the

(5) earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle
them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes
which impel them to the separation. (10) We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among
these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.—That to secure these rights, Govern-

(15) ments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,
—That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the
People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new

(20) Government, laying its foundation on such prin ciples and organizing its powers in such form, as
to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate
that Governments long established should not be

(25) changed for light and transient causes; and accord ingly all experience hath shewn, that
mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by
abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train

(30) of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them
under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to
provide new Guards for their future security.—Such has been

(35)the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to
alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a
history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having

(40) in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let
Facts be submitted to a candid world. In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for
Redress in the most humble terms:

(45) Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character
is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. Nor
have We been wanting in attentions to our

(50) British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to
extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our
emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to
(55) their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common
kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and
correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and

(60) of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our
Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends. We,
therefore, the Representatives of the united

(65) States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the
world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of
these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United

(70) Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved
from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the
State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved;

(75) and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace,
contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent
States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration,

(80) with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other
our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

1. Which statement expresses one of the central ideas of the passage?

(A)Government should not be changed “for light and transient causes” (line 25).

(B) Colonists have experienced “patient Sufferance,” hoping for change (line 35).

(C) There have been “repeated petitions” to the King but to no avail (line 45).

(D) All people have the right to “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” (lines 13-14).

2. Based on the creation of this document, it can be reasonably inferred that

(A)Jefferson and the other founding fathers were rebellious by nature.

(B) the injustices inflicted upon the colonies had taken place for at least a year.

(C) the colonists’ requests for changes had made matters worse.

(D)Jefferson hoped the King would modify his policies upon receiving the document.

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

(A) Lines 23-25 (“Prudence … transient causes”)

(B) Lines 43-46 (“In every stage … repeated injury”)

(C) Lines 52-54 (“We have … settlement here”)

(D) Lines 69-74 (“That these … totally dissolved”)

4. The first paragraph can best be described as

(A) an illustration of Jefferson’s skill as a lawyer.

(B) a theory about what makes good government.

(C) an introduction stating the reason for the document.

(D) a list of specific complaints against Great Britain.

5. Jefferson’s use of the term “self-evident” in line 10 to describe certain “truths” implies that

(A) the absence of these truths is unnatural.

(B) self-government is the preferred form of government.

(C) those who do not believe in these truths are foolish.

(D) the only true way to live is to be happy.

6. As used in line 40, “absolute” most nearly means

(A) doubtless.

(B) fixed.

(C) conclusive.

(D) total.

7. According to paragraph 2, when a government destroys its citizens’ rights, those citizens should

(A) appeal to the governments of other countries.

(B) change or get rid of that government.

(C) emigrate to another country.

(D) sue the government for abuse of power.

8. As used in line 42, “candid” most nearly means

(A) impartial.

(B) unrehearsed.

(C) straightforward.

(D) outspoken.
9. In the fourth paragraph, Jefferson addresses the counterclaim that the

(A) British people will find the actions of the King unjust.

(B) British people will condemn the colonists for declaring independence.

(C) King will declare war on the colonies.

(D) King will take action against those who are sympathetic toward the colonies.

10. Jefferson would likely view the relationship between the colonists and the British people as

(A) irreconcilable.

(B) fraught with mistrust.

(C) damaged, but not irreversibly so.

(D) based on mutual respect.

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

(A) Lines 29-34 (“But when … future security”)

(B) Lines 37-39 (“The history … usurpations”)

(C) Lines 62-63 (“Enemies in … Friends”)

(D) Lines 79-82 (“And for the support … Honor”)