APWH COMPREHENSION PRACTICE - Unit 3 & 4 (1450-1750)
Completing this assignment will count as extra credit.
For each of the passages below, you will answer guiding questions to help you better understand what the passage is saying. This practice will help improve your academic vocabulary and reading skills.
For questions that ask for the DEFINITION or SYNONYMS of a word, use this website to look those up: https://www.wordsmyth.net/mobile_site/wcdt/#/start
Group 1
Source 1.1
Hispaniola, or St. Domingo, was the first settlement founded by Columbus: after he was gone, number of adventurers flocked thither, whose hearts were hardened by avarice and fanaticism. The safety of the Indians never entered the thoughts of these men... The Spaniards who landed on that coast pretended to be civilized, the standard of Christ was borne before them, and they proclaimed themselves the propagators of his benevolent doctrines. How they practiced his precepts may be judged of by the consequences of their arrival. It is computed that Hispaniola then contained a million of Indians; in reducing them to Christianity and slavery, immense numbers were massacred by fire arms and blood hounds: when resistance cased, the wretched Indians having excessive tasks imposed upon them, and being forced to work in the mines, were consumed with labor and famine: and the remainder of this hapless race were totally extinguished by the Measles and Small Pox.
An excerpt from the 1815 book The History of the Small Pox by James Carrick Moore (Scottish surgeon).
Question 1a
In what region was this document created?
Question 1b
How long ago was this document written?
Question 1c
Look up the word “avarice." Write the DEFINITION and ONE SYNONYM below.
Question 1d
Look up the word “benevolent." Write the DEFINITION and ONE SYNONYM below.
Question 1e
Look up the word “doctrines." Write the DEFINITION and ONE SYNONYM below.
Question 1f
Look up the word “wretched." Write the DEFINITION and ONE SYNONYM below.
Question 1g
Look up the word “hapless." Write the DEFINITION and ONE SYNONYM below.
Question 1h
According to the passage, why did many adventurers go to Hispaniola after Columbus left?
Question 1i
The passage states, “The safety of the Indians never entered the thoughts of these men.” What does this sentence best show about the Spaniards’ attitude?
Question 1j
The passage lists several causes of the decline of the indigenous population. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a cause?
Question 1k
Based on the passage, which inference about the Spanish claim to spread “benevolent doctrines” is most supported?
Question 1l
What is the main idea of the passage?
Group 2
Source 2.1
Upon which assurance of your royal love I have given my general command to all the kingdoms and ports of my dominions to receive all the merchants of the English nation as the subjects of my friend; that in what place soever they choose to live, they may have free liberty without any restraint; and at what port soever they shall arrive, that neither Portugal nor any other shall dare to [disturb] their quiet; and in what city soever they shall have residence, I have commanded all my governors and captains to give them freedom answerable to their own desires; to sell, buy, and to transport into their country at their pleasure.
A letter from Indian Mughal Emperor Nuruddin Salim Jahangir (r. 1605-1627) to English King James I (r. 1567-1625).
Question 2a
In what region was this document created?
Question 2b
How long ago was this document written?
Question 2c
Look up the word “assurance ." Write the DEFINITION and ONE SYNONYM below.
Question 2d
Look up the word “dominions." Write the DEFINITION and ONE SYNONYM below.
Question 2e
Look up the word “restraint." Write the DEFINITION and ONE SYNONYM below.
Question 2f
According to the passage, how should governors and captains treat English merchants who live in a city within Jahangir’s dominions?
Question 2g
What does the word "residence" most closely mean in the passage?
Question 2h
Which inference is best supported by the line "that neither Portugal nor any other shall dare to [disturb] their quiet"?
Question 2i
What is the main purpose of Jahangir’s letter to King James I?
Question 2j
How does Jahangir support his promise that merchants will not be disturbed at ports?
Group 3
Source 3.1
- Japanese ships are strictly forbidden to leave for foreign countries.
- No Japanese is permitted to go abroad. If there is anyone who attempts to do so secretly, he must be executed. The ship involved must be impounded and its owner arrested, and the matter must be reported to the higher authority.
- If any Japanese returns from overseas after residing there, he must be put to death.
- If there are any Southern Barbarians (Westerners) who propagate the teaching of padres (Christianity), or otherwise commit crimes, they may be incarcerated in the prison maintained by the Ōmura domain, as was done previously.
The Edicts of the Tokugawa Shogunate, 1635
Question 3a
In what region was this document created?
Question 3b
How long ago was this document written?
Question 3c
Look up the word “impounded." Write the DEFINITION and ONE SYNONYM below.
Question 3d
Look up the word “Barbarians." Write the DEFINITION and ONE SYNONYM below.
Question 3e
Look up the word “propagate." Write the DEFINITION and ONE SYNONYM below.
Question 3f
Look up the word “incarcerated." Write the DEFINITION and ONE SYNONYM below.
Question 3g
According to the passage, what happens to a Japanese person who tries to leave secretly?
Question 3h
What consequence does the passage specify for a ship used in a secret attempt to leave?
Question 3i
How does the passage say the authorities should treat Westerners who spread Christianity and commit crimes?
Question 3j
Which of these is an inference a reader can make from the passage?
Question 3k
What is the central rule stated in the passage?
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