Question

    At the Virginia Convention in 1775, Patrick Henry gives a superb speech to inspire a revolution against Great Britain in which he uses various rhetorical (修辞的) devices to urge the President to take up arms against the oppressive British.

Henry uses rhetorical questions (反问句) to make everyone at the convention start to think about a war against Britain. For example, Henry says “And what have we to oppose to them?” to make people think that there is no other option except war if the colonists want freedom and justice from Britain. He is not looking for an actual answer back, but by making the people come up with the answer themselves, they can see the true necessity of a revolution. Then Henry asks his audience “But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house?” Henry is explaining that waiting and debating on the topic of war does not do any good. Instead, the colonies must move immediately.

Additionally, Patrick Henry uses the technique of restatement. Throughout his speech, Henry constantly restates that there is no time left, nor another option apart from war to separate from the British: “There is no longer any room for hope.” Restating the important conclusion stresses the importance of whatever the speaker is arguing, in this case, the colonists’ last resort of a revolution.

In the speech, Henry also uses pathos (悲情) to persuade the audience. He asks “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?” Henry indicates that slavery will be the outcome if the colonists do not take up arms and fight for freedom. By saying this, Henry uses pathos to strike at the hearts of the colonists to show that their freedom 13 worth the sacrifice and risk of death.

1.What does the passage mainly deal with?

A.Language techniques. B.Social revolution.

C.A Historical figure. D.America history.

2.What does Patrick Henry warn to underline by asking “But when shall we be stronger”?

A.The necessity of war. B.The value of freedom.

C.The urgency of action. D.The power of speech.

3.Patrick Henry’s speech at the Virginia Convention is      .

A.humorous B.persuasive

C.controversial D.confusing

4.We can conclude that Patrick Henry      .

A.was elected President of the U. S. A B.was killed in the battle against Britain

C.managed to start the American Civil war D.contributed to American independence

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.B

4.D

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了帕特里克·亨利的演讲中运用的各种修辞手段。

1.

主旨大意题。根据第一段At the Virginia Convention in 1775, Patrick Henry gives a superb speech to inspire a revolution against Great Britain in which he uses various rhetorical (修辞的) devices to urge the President to take up arms against the oppressive British. (在1775年的弗吉尼亚大会上，帕特里克·亨利发表了一篇精彩的演讲，号召人们发动一场反抗英国的革命，他在演讲中运用了各种修辞手段，敦促总统拿起武器反抗英国人的压迫)及下文对修辞手段的介绍可知，这篇文章主要论述了语言技巧。故选A。

2.

词句猜测题。根据第二段中帕特里克·亨利一些列的提问之后的Henry is explaining that waiting and debating on the topic of war does not do any good. Instead, the colonies must move immediately. (亨利解释说，等待和争论战争的话题没有任何好处。相反，殖民地必须立即行动)可知，帕特里克•亨利问“但我们什么时候才能变得更强大”是为了强调行动的紧迫性。故选C。

3.

推理判断题。根据最后一段中的By saying this, Henry uses pathos to strike at the hearts of the colonists to show that their freedom 13 worth the sacrifice and risk of death. (通过说这句话，亨利用悲怆打动了殖民者的心，表明他们的自由值得牺牲和冒死亡的风险)可推知，帕特里克·亨利在弗吉尼亚州大会上的演讲很有说服力。故选B。

4.

推理判断题。根据第一段中的Patrick Henry gives a superb speech to inspire a revolution against Great Britain in which he uses various rhetorical (修辞的) devices to urge the President to take up arms against the oppressive British.(帕特里克·亨利发表了一篇精彩的演讲，号召人们发动一场反抗英国的革命，他在演讲中运用了各种修辞手段，敦促总统拿起武器反抗英国人的压迫)及最后一段中的By saying this, Henry uses pathos to strike at the hearts of the colonists to show that their freedom 13 worth the sacrifice and risk of death. (通过说这句话，亨利用悲怆打动了殖民者的心，表明他们的自由值得牺牲和冒死亡的风险)可推知，帕特里克·亨利促成了美国的独立。故选D。