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U.S. & World News 1. According to Patrick Henry, what is the basic question being debated at the Virginia convention?
Patrick Henry said that the basic question being debated at the Virginia Convention is "nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery."

2. What reasons does Henry offer to suggest that the British were not worthy of trust at the time?
Henry suggested that the British were not worthy of trust at the time because they were occupying the military services that the Americans needed.

3. What argument does Henry provide against the notion that the colonies are too weak to fight the British?
Patrick Henry offered the argument that God would give them the strength they needed to fight the British against the notion that the colonies were too weak to fight against them.

4. What is Henry implying when he says that he is loyal to "the majesty of heaven... above all earthly kings"? What tone (manner in which an author expresses his attitude) does this statement hold?
In stating that he is loyal to "the majesty of heaven... above all earthly kings", Henry implied that his loyalty is to God first before anyone else. The tone with which the author expresses Patrick's attitude toward his declaration of loyalty to God holds that he is very clear when it comes to where his loyalties lie.

5. Why are Henry's final words so effective and memorable?
Patrick Henry's final words of "give me liberty or give me death" are so if active and memorable because of the impact they had on our country. These words brought his speech to a powerful ending, concluding that he would rather have death than to be denied liberty.

6. A rhetorical question is a question posed to emphasize a point, not for the purpose of getting an answer. Henry uses this device extensively throughout his speech. Find one example in the speech, quote it and explain what point he is emphasizing with those particular questions.
One example of a rhetorical question Henry used in his

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