Question

read the excerpt from \what to the slave is the fourth of july?\
are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that declaration of independence, extended to us?
how does this rhetorical question contribute to the passage’s central idea?
○ it encourages black people to discuss the principles set forth in the declaration of independence
○ it reinforces the idea that the rights given to others are not extended to black people
○ it reveals that douglass has an in - depth knowledge of the declaration of independence
○ it gives the rest of the speech importance by referring to a famous historical document

Explanation:

The rhetorical question asks if the principles of political freedom and natural justice from the Declaration of Independence (which granted rights to others, like white Americans) are extended to Black people. In the context of Douglass's speech, the implied answer is no, so this question reinforces that Black people were denied those rights. Option A is incorrect as the question isn't about encouraging discussion. Option C is wrong because the question doesn't focus on Douglass's knowledge. Option D is incorrect as the question's purpose isn't to give the speech importance via the document reference, but to highlight the inequality of rights for Black people.

Answer:

B. It reinforces the idea that the rights given to others are not extended to Black people