Question

questions 1 through 5 refer to the following.
(the following passage is excerpted from a speech delivered by a prominent african
american activist and public speaker in 1872.)
the various conditions of men and the different uses they make of their powers and
opportunities in life, are full of puzzling contrasts and contradictions. here, as elsewhere, it
is easy to dogmatize, but it is not so easy to define, explain and demonstrate. the natural
laws for the government, well-being and progress of mankind, seem to be equal and are
equal, but the subjects of these laws everywhere abound in inequalities, discords and
contrasts. we cannot have fruit without flowers, but we often have flowers without fruit. the
promise of youth often breaks down in manhood, and real excellence often comes
unheralded and from unexpected quarters.
the scene presented from this view is as a thousand arrows shot from the same point and
aimed at the same object. united in aim, they are divided in flight. some fly too high, others
too low. some go to the right, others to the left. some fly too far and others, not far enough,
and only a few hit the mark. such is life. united in the quiver, they are divided in the air.
matched when dormant, they are unmatched in action.
when we attempt to account for greatness we never get nearer to the truth than did the
greatest of poets and philosophers when he classified the conditions of greatness: \some
are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.\ we
may take our choice of these three separate explanations and make which of them we
please most prominent in our discussion. much can certainly be said of superior mental

5
mark for review
which of the following best describes the function of the first two clauses of the passages
final sentence (\it is natural... despised\) in the context of the passage as a whole?
a they suggest that there are certain limitations to the authors
argument about greatness.
b they imply that accepting the authors argument will help his
audience achieve greatness.
c they restate the authors argument in order to provide a fitting
conclusion to the passage.
d they urge a change in attitude that should follow logically from
the authors argument.

Explanation:

The first two clauses of the passage's final sentence ("It is natural... despised") suggest that there are certain limitations to the author's argument about greatness. The author has been discussing various aspects like the conditions of men, the nature of laws, and the pursuit of greatness. This final sentence ties in with the overall theme of the passage which is centered around the concept of greatness and the factors related to it. It shows that there are inherent aspects (natural) and also some that are looked down upon (despised) in relation to the author's discussion on greatness.

Answer:

A. They suggest that there are certain limitations to the author's argument about greatness.