Question

read the passages \the articles of confederation,\ \from brutus, no. 1, brutus\ and \from the federalist, no. 10, james madison,\ and answer the questions that follow. make sure you answer all of the questions.

passage 1: the articles of confederation

1 one of the most important documents written during the american revolution was the articles of confederation, which was the first constitution of the united states. it represented the first successful effort to organize and empower the original thirteen colonies. before the articles of confederation was written, the revolutionaries of those colonies, who rebelled against the british rule, acted independently of a governing authority. because of this, they were not seen as a separate country by the rest of the world

6

this question has two parts. first, answer part a. then, answer part b.

part a

what rhetorical device does the author use in passage 3 to support his argument?

a irony

b zeugma

c antithesis

d rhetorical question

part b

click the phrase that best supports the correct answer in part a.

the smaller the society, the fewer probably will be the distinct parties and interests composing it, the fewer the distinct parties and interests, the more frequently will a majority be found of the same party ; and the smaller the number of individuals composing a majority, and the smaller the compass within which they are placed, the more easily will they concert and execute their plans of oppression. extend the sphere, and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests ; you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have a common motive to invade the rights of other citizens, or if such a common motive exists, it will be more difficult for all who feel it to discover

Explanation:

• Part A: Antithesis is a rhetorical device that juxtaposes contrasting ideas. In Madison's argument (Passage 3 likely being Federalist No. 10), he contrasts the problems of a small society (fewer distinct parties, easier for a majority to oppress) with the benefits of a large society (more variety of parties, harder for a majority to form a common oppressive motive). This is a classic use of antithesis. Irony is when there's a contrast between what is said and what is meant (not seen here). Zeugma is a figure of speech where a word applies to multiple others in different ways (not relevant). A rhetorical question is a question asked for effect, not for an answer (not the case here).
• Part B: The phrase "Extend the sphere, and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests; you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have a common motive to invade the rights of other citizens" directly shows the contrast (antithesis) between the small - society problem (implied by the first part of the passage, which is about small - society issues) and the large - society benefit.

Answer:

• Part A: C. antithesis
• Part B: Extend the sphere, and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests; you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have a common motive to invade the rights of other citizens