Open Up - Grade 4 - ELA - Module 3 - Mid Unit 3 Assessment - Formative Library | Library

Directions: Read the broadside below and answer the questions that follow.

Violence Is Not the Answer!

As a Quaker, there is a lot of pressure, coming from both the Patriots and the Loyalists, to be involved in the war. Colonists from both sides are pressuring us to declare our loyalty with their threats of fines or prison. However, taking a side, either side, goes against our beliefs as Quakers. It is important to stay uninvolved.

One of our beliefs is to treat everyone equally. We believe in simple worship, honesty, and equality. Equality means we believe each person in this world is valued equally. Everyone should be treated the same way. If we choose to fight, we are showing that we value the people on one side over another.

Another of our beliefs is nonviolence. We must refuse to join the Patriot army or support the war, because doing so will lead to violence. Paying taxes that go toward the military means giving money to people who will use violence to get what they want. Fighting in the army for either side would mean having to hurt or kill others. We can take no part in that violence.

We know that staying true to your principles means you may be fined, put into prison, or be called Loyalists and traitors. But getting involved in this war goes against everything we believe in. Do not do it! Demonstrate your beliefs and stay out of the war!

Written by EL Education for instructional purposes.

Sources:
■	 Nolt, Cynthia L., and Donald B. Kraybill. “Quakers.” The New Book of Knowledge. Grolier Online, 2013. Web. 11 Dec. 2013. 
■	 Tyson, Rae. “Our First Friends, the Early Quakers.” Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/portal/communities/ pa-heritage/our-first-friends-early-quakers.html. 
■	 Whitman, Sylvia. “Practicing Peace.” Cobblestone, Nov–Dec 2008, pp 2–3. 
■	 Green, Matt. “Quakers: The Religious Society of Friends.” University of Virginia, 2000. Internet Archive, http://web.archive.org/ web/20060828125831/religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/quak.html. 
■	 “Rebellion: 1774–1775. 5. The Pacifists.” National Humanities Center, http:// nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/makingrev/rebellion/text5/text5read.htm.

Part A: Which of the following statements best describes the author’s opinion? (RI.4.8)

You should not support the Patriot army.

You should not support either army.

You should not support the British army.

RI.4.8

Part B: Which line from the text best supports the answer to Question 1 above? (RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.8)

“Another of our beliefs is nonviolence.”

“As a Quaker, there is a lot of pressure, coming from both the Patriots and the Loyalists, to be involved in the war.”

“It is important to stay uninvolved.”

“We know that staying true to your principles means you may be fined, put into prison, or be called Loyalists and traitors.”

RI.4.2

RI.4.8

RI.4.1

Read the line from the text and answer the question that follows:

“If we choose to fight, we are showing that we value the people on one side over another.”

How does this reason support the author’s opinion? (RI.4.8)

It explains the Quaker view on equality.

It explains the Quaker view on racism.

It explains the Quaker view on nonviolence.

It explains the Quaker view on taxes.

RI.4.8

Another reason the author uses to support his/her opinion about being involved in the American Revolution is: “Another of our beliefs is nonviolence.” Find one piece of evidence from the text that supports this reason and record it below. (RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.8)

RI.4.2

RI.4.8

RI.4.1

The writer wants to revise the broadside to add more support for his/her opinion. Choose the sentence that would add the best support to the writer’s opinion about the American Revolution. (RI.4.8)

The Regulars have attacked us, unprovoked.

The British army is stronger than the Patriot army.

It is unfair for American colonists to pay taxes to the king without even being represented in Parliament.

In a war, taking one side means valuing one group of people over another.

RI.4.8

Which of the following best summarizes this Quaker broadside? Select the most accurate summary. (RI.4.2)

Quakers should stay uninvolved in the war. Taking either side would go against the Quaker beliefs in equality and nonviolence.

Quakers should demonstrate against the war. Even though the Patriot view is correct, Quakers do not believe in violence.

RI.4.2

Source: Open Up Resouces (Download for free at openupresources.org.)