Independence Close Reading Worksheet
Mr. Peirce • U.S. History Assignment #11 • Close Reading Guide
The Declaration of Independence
WIDA Level 2 Supported
Name:
Date:
Period:
Historical Context (1776):
Colonial leaders met in Philadelphia to separate from Great Britain. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved this document to explain to the world why the 13 colonies were creating a new, independent country.
Key Word Bank • Banco de Palabras Clave
Dissolve
Disolver / Terminar
To end a connection or break apart.
Unalienable
Inalienable
Basic rights that cannot be taken away.
Consent
Consentimiento
Permission or agreement of the people.
Grievance
Queja / Reclamo
A complaint about unfair treatment.
1 Part I: The Preamble (Introduction)
Why the document was written
Original 1776 Words:
"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another... a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."
In Simple Words:
Sometimes people must end their political connection with another country and become an independent nation. Out of respect for the world, they must clearly explain their reasons for separating.
1. According to the Preamble, what do the colonists believe they need to do?
A. End their political connection with Britain
B. Choose a new British king
C. Ask Parliament to lower taxes
Sentence Frame (Write complete sentence):
According to the Preamble, the colonists believe they must .
Close Reading Skill: Finding Central Ideas & Words in Context Page 1 of 4
2
Part II: Declaration of Natural Rights
Equality & The Purpose of Government
Original 1776 Words:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
"That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government..."
In Simple Words:
It is obvious that all people are created equal. Everyone is born with basic rights that no ruler can take away: life, freedom, and the chance to seek happiness.
Governments exist only to protect these rights. A government gets its authority from the permission (consent) of the people. If a government abuses its power and destroys people's rights, the people have the duty to change it or replace it.
Self-evident: Obvious (claro / obvio)
Consent: Agreement (acuerdo / permiso)
Alter / Abolish: Change / end (cambiar o eliminar)
2. What three unalienable rights does the Declaration say all people have?
Right #1 (Vida)
Right #2 (Libertad)
Right #3 (Felicidad)
3. What does "consent of the governed" mean?
A. The government gets its power from the people.
B. The government gets its power from the king.
C. The government gets its power from the army.
4. What can people do if government is "destructive"?
A. Allow the king to take more control.
B. Ask the king to choose a new judge.
C. Change or end it, and make a new government.
5. According to Part II, when is it justified to change or abolish a government?
A. Over a small, temporary problem
B. After a long pattern of repeated abuses
C. Whenever people want a new election
Sentence Frame: It is justified to end a government when .
Key Idea: Governments must protect rights and serve the people. Page 2 of 4
3
Part III: Grievances Against the King
The Evidence of Tyranny
Who is "He"? The King of Great Britain (King George III)
The colonists listed 27 specific complaints (grievances / quejas) to prove to the world that King George III was an unfair ruler (tyrant / tirano).
Selected Complaints from the Declaration:
Taxes "For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent"
Simple meaning: Colonists were forced to pay taxes without having representatives in Parliament.
Soldiers "For Quartering large Bodies of Armed Troops"
Simple meaning: Colonists had to house and feed British soldiers in their towns and buildings.
Trade "For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world"
Simple meaning: Britain stopped the colonies from freely buying and selling with other countries.
Courts "depriving us... of the Benefits of Trial by Jury"
Simple meaning: British judges decided guilt without a fair trial by fellow citizens.
Law "dissolved representative houses repeatedly"
Simple meaning: The King shut down elected colonial assemblies when they protested his rules.
6. Choose ONE grievance above. Explain the complaint in your own words.
Writing Frame
I choose the grievance about:
In my own words, the King was unfair because he
This hurt the colonists because .
7. Who is the "he" blamed for these grievances?
The word "he" refers to .
8. What did colonists do before declaring independence?
A. Asked politely for their complaints to be fixed (petitions)
B. Immediately elected a new British king
C. Agreed to stop all protests and pay extra taxes
Close Reading Skill: Citing Textual Evidence & Identifying Grievances Page 3 of 4
4
Part IV: Resolution & Central Ideas Review
Independence & Big Review
Original 1776 Words:
"That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown... they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce..."
In Simple Words:
The colonies are now free and independent states. All ties to the King are broken. As an independent country, they now have the power to wage war, make peace, form alliances with other countries, and trade freely.
9. Name TWO powers the Declaration says the colonies now have as "Free and Independent States":
1.)
2.)
Part V: Check Your Understanding (Central Ideas)
Circle the correct answer
10. Which statement best expresses the CENTRAL IDEA?
A. Colonists wanted a new king from France.
B. People may change a government that violates rights.
C. Taxes were the only problem between them.
D. Kings have total power given directly by God.
11. WHY do the authors list 27 grievances against the King?
A. To give evidence why independence was necessary.
B. To describe the laws of Great Britain.
C. To propose a new tax system for London.
D. To ask the British Parliament for money.
12. Which quote shows colonists LACKED A VOICE in government?
A. "Conclude Peace, contract Alliances"
B. "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"
C. "For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent"
D. "To assume among the powers of the earth"
13. How do Part II (Rights) and Part III (Grievances) connect?
A. Part II states human rights; Part III shows how the King violated them.
B. Part II creates a navy; Part III creates an army.
C. Part II thanks the King; Part III thanks Parliament.
D. Part II ends the war; Part III begins the war.
Exit Summary Statement (Fill in the blanks):
The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776 to tell the world that the colonies were becoming from Great Britain because King George III violated their .
Completed Declaration of Independence Close Reading Assignment Page 4 of 4
Independence Reading Answer Key
Mr. Peirce • U.S. History Teacher Facilitation Guide & Key
Independence Close Reading Answer Key
Teacher Edition
Master key, WIDA Level 2 language scaffolds, acceptable variations, and instructional notes.
WIDA Level 2 Facilitation Tips:
• Oral Rehearsal: Have students practice sentence frames with a partner before writing.
• Cognate Cognition: Point out Spanish cognates (e.g., consentimiento, inalienable).
• Chunked Pacing: Read aloud the 1776 excerpt once, then choral-read the "In Simple Words" box.
1 Part I: The Preamble Key Correct Answer: A
Question 1: According to the Preamble, what do the colonists believe they need to do?
A. End their political connection with Britain (Text evidence: "dissolve the political bands which have connected them").
Completed Sentence Frame:
"According to the Preamble, the colonists believe they must end their political connection with Britain and explain their reasons to the world."
2 Part II: Natural Rights Key Foundational Principles
Question 2: Three unalienable rights all people have:
Box 1 Life (Vida)
Box 2 Liberty (Freedom / Libertad)
Box 3 Pursuit of Happiness
Question 3 Key: A
"Consent of the governed" means government gets power from the people, not a king.
Question 4 Key: C
People have the right to change or abolish an abusive government and make a new one.
Question 5 Key: B
Ending government requires a long pattern of repeated abuses (not small causes).
Question 5 Model Sentence Frame:
"It is justified to end a government when a ruler repeatedly abuses power and tries to take away people's rights over a long period."
Common Student Misconception in Part II:
Students often think governments give people rights. Remind them of the Enlightenment philosophy: rights are inherent (unalienable) at birth, and governments exist only to protect them.
Teacher Guide • The Declaration of Independence Close Reading Page 1 of 2
Parts III, IV, & Central Ideas Review Key
Grievances, Powers & Assessment
3 Part III: Grievances Key Evidence of Tyranny
Question 6 Model Responses (Accept any of the 5 options):
Option A: Taxation Without Consent
