Analyzing Central Ideas in a Historical Speech — Quiz
Question 17 • English Language Arts 10
Read the excerpt from "We Are Determined Not to Sell Our Lands." Brother, at the treaties held for the purchase of our lands, the white men, with sweet voices and smiling faces, told us they loved us, and that they would not cheat us, but that the king’s children on the other side of the lake would cheat us. When we go on the other side of the lake, the king's children tell us your people will cheat us. These things puzzle our heads, and we believe that the Indians must take care of themselves, and not trust either in your people or in the king’s children. Which best describes the strategy Sagoyewatha uses in this excerpt to develop the central idea of his speech?
Answer
A
He provides evidence as to why he cannot trust either the United States or European governments.
B
He illustrates how the United States and European governments acted like children who cheat at games.
C
He describes similarities and differences between kings and children.
D
He describes the treaties given to the tribes by the US government.
Explanation
Sagoyewatha recounts how each side warned the Indigenous people that the other would cheat them, even though both sides claimed to care about them. This conflicting behavior explains why he says the Indians must look after themselves and trust neither group. Choice C best describes how he supports the speech’s central idea: he gives reasons not to trust either the United States or the king’s government.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.