Making Inferences in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Question 7 • PA-Common Core ELA 8 Q1
Read this excerpt from The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.In the same book, I met with one of Sheridan's mighty speeches on and in behalf of Catholic emancipation. These were choice documents to me. I read them over and over again with unabated interest. They gave tongue to interesting thoughts of my own soul, which had frequently flashed through my mind, and died away for want of utterance.
Answer
A
He disagrees with the religious beliefs expressed in Sheridan’s speeches.
B
He believes the best way to learn to read is through the study of speeches.
C
He understands the importance of memorization as a part of learning.
D
He enjoys finding words for his own thoughts on emancipation.
Explanation
Douglass says the speeches “gave tongue” to thoughts that had already occurred to him but that he could not express. In other words, he valued finding words for his own ideas about emancipation. Choice D best captures this; the excerpt does not say he disagreed with the speeches or was focused on memorization.
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