This passage is taken from the autobiography of Fredrick
Douglass. Read the passage, then answer the question.
I was now about twelve years old, and the thought of
being a slave for life began to bear heavily upon my heart.
Just about this time, I got hold of a book entitled "The
Columbian Orator." Every opportunity I got, I used to
read this book. Among much of other interesting matter,
I found in it a dialogue between a master and his slave.
The slave was represented as having run away from his
master three times. The dialogue represented the
conversation which took place between them, when the
slave was retaken the third time. In this dialogue, the
whole argument in behalf of slavery was brought forward
by the master, all of which was disposed of by the slave.
The slave was made to say some very smart as well as
impressive things in reply to his master-things which
had the desired though unexpected effect; for the
conversation resulted in the voluntary emancipation of
Which statement best summarizes the passage?
O Through reading, Douglass expands his knowledge
of his origins.
O Douglass is able to obtain only two books, but he
persists in learning to read.
OTwo important texts teach Douglass the power of
truth to change opinions on slavery.
O Douglass discovers that it is impossible to shift
people's thinking on the issue of slavery.