Question

hiram r. revels was the first african american member of the u.s. senate. in his first address to the senate, he spoke on the readmission of georgia to the union following the civil war.

from the state of georgia
march 16, 1870

mr. president, i rise at this particular juncture in the discussion of the georgia bill with feelings which perhaps never before entered into the experience of any member of this body. i rise, too, with misgivings as to the propriety of lifting my voice at this early period after my admission into the senate. perhaps it were wiser for me so inexperienced in the details of senatorial duties, to have remained a passive listener in the progress of this debate; but when i remember that my term is short, and that the issues with which this bill is fraught are momentous in their present and future influence upon the well - being of my race, i would seem indifferent to the importance of the hour and recreant to the high trust imposed upon me if i hesitated to lend my voice on behalf of the loyal people of the south. i therefore waive all thoughts as to the propriety of taking a part in this discussion. when questions arise which bear upon the safety and protection of the loyal population of those states lately in rebellion i cannot allow any thought as to mere exponent of such a constituency as i have the honor to represent are fully appreciated by me.
(from \the state of georgia, march 15, 1870\ by hiram r. revels, senate.gov)

this question has two parts. answer part a, and then answer part b.
part a
what is the main conflict revels describes in the passage?

1. if the bill about georgia is too problematic to pass the senate
2. if georgia should be readmitted to the union after the civil war
3. if he is experienced enough in the senate to speak about the bill
4. if he has too many responsibilities as a new member of the senate

part b
which statement best explains how revels resolves the conflict from part a?

1. he decides the issue is too important for him to remain silent.
2. he decides to represent the views of the people of georgia.

Explanation:

Part A

To determine the main conflict, we analyze the passage. Revels is inexperienced in senatorial duties but the bill's issues are momentous. Option 4 says he has too many responsibilities as a new senator, but the conflict is about his inexperience vs the bill's importance. Wait, re - reading: he was a passive listener initially, then the bill's issues are fraught, and he's inexperienced. Wait, the options: 1 is bill too problematic to pass, 2 is Georgia readmission, 3 is experienced enough to speak, 4 is too many responsibilities. Wait, the passage: "I remained a passive listener... but when I remember that my term is short... the issues with which this bill is fraught are momentous... I would seem indifferent to the importance... I therefore waive all thoughts as to the propriety of taking a part..." Wait, no, the conflict is his inexperience (new senator) vs the importance of the bill, so he feels he should speak despite inexperience? Wait, no, the question is main conflict. Wait, the options: 4 says "if he has too many responsibilities as a new member of the Senate" – no. Wait, the passage: "I rise at this particular juncture... I was a passive listener... my term is short... the issues... fraught... I would seem indifferent... I therefore waive... thoughts as to the propriety... taking a part". Wait, maybe the conflict is between his inexperience (new senator) and the need to speak on the important bill. But the options: 4 is "if he has too many responsibilities as a new member of the Senate" – no. Wait, option 3: "if he is experienced enough in the Senate to speak about the bill" – that makes sense. Because he was inexperienced ( "inexperienced in the details of senatorial duties") but the bill is important, so the conflict is whether he's experienced enough to speak. So part A answer is 3.

Part B

Now part B: which statement explains how he resolves the conflict. Option 1: decides issue too important to remain silent – that matches. Because he says "I would seem indifferent to the importance... I therefore waive all thoughts... taking a part". So he resolves it by deciding the issue is too important to be silent. Option 2: represent views of Georgia people – the passage says "the loyal people of the South" and "the exponent of such a constituency as I have the honor to represent" – but the conflict resolution is about speaking despite inexperience. So option 1: "He decides the issue is too important for him to remain silent." So part B answer is 1.

Answer:

Part A

1. if he is experienced enough in the Senate to speak about the bill

Part B

1. He decides the issue is too important for him to remain silent.