Question

Read the passage and answer the questions.

The following testimony of the Boston Massacre was given by Captain Thomas Preston during court hearings on the event on March 13, 1770.

I saw the people in great commotion and heard them use the most cruel and horrid threats against the troops. They immediately surrounded the sentry . . . and with clubs and other weapons threatened to execute their vengeance on him. I was soon informed by a townsman their intention was to carry off the soldier from his post and probably murder him . . . I immediately sent a non-commissioned officer and 12 men to protect both the sentry and the king's money, and very soon followed myself to prevent, if possible, all disorder . . . They soon rushed through the people, and by charging their bayonets in half-circles, kept them at a little distance. . . . The mob still increased and were more outrageous, striking their clubs or bludgeons one against another, and calling out, “come on you rascals, you bloody backs, you lobster scoundrels, fire if you dare, G-d d*** you, fire and be d***ed, we know you dare not,” and much more such language was used. At this time I was between the soldiers and the mob, parleying with, and endeavouring all in my power to persuade them to retire peaceably, but to no purpose. . . .

The whole of this melancholy affair was transacted in almost 20 minutes. On my asking the soldiers why they fired without orders, they said they heard the word fire and supposed it came from me. This might be the case as many of the mob called out fire, fire, but I assured the men that I gave no such order; that my words were, don't fire, stop your firing. In short, it was scarcely possible for the soldiers to know who said fire, or don't fire, or stop your firing.

What is the main idea or topic being expressed?

Who will read this testimony? Who is the audience?

How is the message conveyed to the audience?

What is the feeling, tone, or mood being conveyed? Why would the captain use this tone?

Answer 1

Why would you put a whole passage

Answer 2

Main idea: Captain Preston's testimony details the events of the Boston Massacre, emphasizing the escalating threats and hostility toward the soldiers preceding the firing.

Audience: The testimony is meant for the court hearings investigating the Boston Massacre incident, likely consisting of judges, legal representatives, and possibly the public.

Message delivery: The testimony is conveyed through a detailed narrative, outlining the sequence of events and the captain's efforts to prevent disorder and violence.

Tone/mood: The tone is concerned, earnest, and explanatory, aiming to present a factual account while highlighting the volatile situation and the challenges in controlling the mob's aggression.

Step-by-step explanation:

Captain Preston's testimony serves to elucidate the events leading to the Boston Massacre. He paints a vivid picture of the escalating hostility and imminent danger faced by the soldiers, aiming to clarify the circumstances surrounding the tragic event. The audience, likely comprising legal authorities and the public, would benefit from a clear, detailed account to ascertain the soldiers' actions' justifiability. Preston's tone remains earnest and concerned, striving to convey the gravity of the situation while emphasizing his attempts to maintain order. The complexity of the situation and the difficulty in diffusing the mob's aggression underscore the need for a detailed, factual narrative to discern the truth amidst the chaos.