Answers2627 ENGLISH 11 AEvaluating a Text's Significance in History: Henry David Thoreau - "Civil Disobedience"

Henry David Thoreau - "Civil Disobedience" Answers

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In "Civil Disobedience," what is Thoreau’s view of the state at the end of the essay?

A
He thinks the state does not appreciate individual worth.
B
He finds the state guilty of gross misjudgment of his actions.
C
He feels sorry for the state for not acting in a sensible way.
D
He considers the state’s actions indicative of society’s unfairness.
2
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Which would be the best way of describing the overall structure of Thoreau’s observations in "Civil Disobedience"?

A
He moves from a consideration of his surroundings to an evaluation of the state as a whole.
B
He develops a critique of his jail cell into a critique of the entire prison system and justice department.
C
He uses the example of his case as a way to introduce his condemnation of the court.
D
He focuses entirely on his experiences while being imprisoned.
3

In "Civil Disobedience," what does Thoreau think about right after he wonders if he could have been of service to his community?

A
whether everyone in the town is half-witted and dull
B
the significance of the wall between himself and others
C
that imprisoning him would not solve the problem
D
that he is truly the only person in the town to pay a tax
4

Based on Thoreau’s opinion about the Mexican-American War and slavery in the United States, why did he most likely refuse to pay the poll taxes, as described in "Civil Disobedience"?

A
He desired to learn more about the government.
B
He wanted to expose fraud in the government.
C
He supported the government’s position.
D
He disagreed with the government’s actions.
5

Considering "Civil Disobedience," which best describes how Thoreau and Martin Luther King, Jr. both felt about acts of civil disobedience?

A
They both believed that acts of peaceful political protest would not affect or alter the law.
B
They both believed that people should go against certain laws because government is a flawed concept.
C
They both believed that individuals have the right and the responsibility to protest unjust laws.
D
They both believed that breaking the law is an unjust action that deserves punishment.
6

What is Thoreau’s first thought upon being imprisoned in "Civil Disobedience"?

A
He is concerned about how long he will be there.
B
He wishes to get out of prison as soon as possible.
C
He considers the prison a foolish institution.
D
He wonders why he was put behind bars.
7

Read the excerpt from a letter Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote while imprisoned in Birmingham Jail in 1963. One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty.Based on his behavior in "Civil Disobedience," how would Thoreau most likely feel about King’s statement?

A
He would believe that his reasons and King’s reasons for protest were completely unrelated.
B
He would disagree with King’s belief that one must accept the penalty for political protest.
C
He would believe that King did not understand the nature of political protest.
D
He would agree with King that one should engage in political protest peacefully.
8

What does "Civil Disobedience" suggest about the jailer’s opinion of Thoreau's arrest for tax evasion?

A
Tax evasion was not a serious offense.
B
They expected Thoreau to be released quickly.
C
Thoreau deserved to lose his freedom.
D
Tax evasion was one of the more grave crimes one could commit.
9

Based on Thoreau’s beliefs and "Civil Disobedience," he most likely decided not to pay poll tax because

A
he could not afford to pay taxes.
B
he disagreed with the idea of it.
C
he did not understand the law.
D
he wanted to experience prison.
10

In "Civil Disobedience," what is Thoreau’s last thought about the state before he loses respect for it?

A
He finds the state’s industrious locking of the cell door amusing.
B
He thinks the state can’t tell its friends from its enemies.
C
He thinks the state is half-witted.
D
He finds the state unforgivably timid.
11

Based on his transcendental beliefs and "Civil Disobedience," it is most reasonable to assume that Thoreau

A
would have liked to create his own government, which would not require taxes.
B
was unwilling to follow any law created by the government.
C
believed following his conscience was more important than following the law.
D
wished to be completely separate from society and those around him.

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