EST Practice Reading – Give Me Life Or Give Me Death

The following passage is excerpted from Patrick Henry – Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different
(5)lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the
(10)House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive (15)at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty
(20)of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, (25)engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it (30)may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the (35)past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately (40)received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of ourpetition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and (45)armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last (50)arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this (55)accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? (60)Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble (65)supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have (70)supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our (75)supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free– if we (80)mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending–if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the (85)glorious object of our contest shall be obtained–we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be (90)stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year?Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying (95)supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed (100)in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will (105)raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in (110)submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable–and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen (115)may cry, Peace, Peace– but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen (120)wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

1. The primary rhetorical purpose of Patrick Henry’s speech is to:

A) Celebrate the diplomatic progress made by the colonies in negotiating with Britain.
B) Encourage moderation and patience in the face of growing conflict.
C) Justify a reluctant support for military resistance against British tyranny.
D) Persuade his audience that immediate armed conflict is necessary and inevitable.

2. Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to question 1?

A) Lines 5–8 (“I hope… without reserve”)
B) Lines 62–72 (“Sir, we have… tyrannical hands of the ministry”)
C) Lines 79–85 (“If we wish… object of our contest shall be obtained”)
D) Lines 114–120 (“Gentlemen may cry… What would they have?”)

3.1–10 (“No man thinks… awful moment to this country”), the speaker acknowledges opposing views in order to:

A) Establish a respectful tone before presenting a forceful counterargument.
B) Appeal to authority and gain credibility by aligning with other esteemed figures.
C) Undermine the legitimacy of other speakers by highlighting their flaws.
D) Suggest that all opinions should be equally considered regardless of content.

4. The metaphor “we are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts” (lines 21
–24) serves to:

A) Illustrate the transformative power of truth and suffering.
B) Emphasize the deceptive nature of hope that delays necessary action.
C) Portray the British Parliament as mythical creatures preying on the weak.
D) Encourage the audience to adopt a more optimistic view of war.

5. Which choice best describes the tone of the passage as a whole?

A) Contemplative and conciliatory
B) Defiant and impassioned
C) Skeptical and analytical
D) Detached and formal

6. In the context of lines 38–55, what is the significance of the speaker’s repeated rhetorical questions? A) They introduce new facts and evidence that the audience may not have considered.
B) They serve to expose contradictions in the logic of the speaker’s opponents.
C) They emotionally appeal to the audience by evoking confusion and fear.
D) They reinforce the speaker’s argument that all peaceful efforts have failed.
7. Which statement best summarizes Henry’s use of religious references throughout the passage?
A) He draws on religious imagery to criticize those who remain loyal to Britain.
B) He invokes divine authority to justify rebellion as a moral and sacred duty.
C) He contrasts religious teachings with the violence of impending war.
D) He appeals to a fear of divine punishment for not resisting oppression.

8. According to the passage, how does the speaker define true strength?

A) As a combination of wealth, numbers, and international support.
B) As the capacity to endure suffering without retaliation.
C) As faith in God, vigilance, and the willingness to act bravely.
D) As the ability to diplomatically delay conflict.

9. Which quotation best supports the answer to question 8?

A) “Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm” (lines 67–68)
B) “The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty… are invincible” (lines 99–100)
C) “Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone” (line 102)
D) “There is no retreat but in submission and slavery!” (line 109)

10. What is the central idea expressed in the final paragraph (lines 115–122)?

A) The inevitability of conflict renders all further debate pointless.
B) The colonies still have a final opportunity to negotiate peace.
C) Peaceful protest remains the most effective form of resistance.
D) Hope is more powerful than physical force or military might.