In saying "Even if we take Jefferson at his word, that he did not copy sections of the Declaration from any \(\text { particular books" (lines } 65-67),\) the author implies that he thinks Jefferson: F. may not have been totally honest when he said that no parts of the Declaration were copied from any previous writing. G. may have in fact copied some of Abraham Lincoln's writings when drafting the Declaration. H. should not be believed because his character has been hidden behind a veil of mystery for so long. J. cannot be accused of plagiarizing parts of the Declaration because it was written so long ago.

When delving into the authorship of the Declaration of Independence, the name Thomas Jefferson often takes center stage. Jefferson, widely acknowledged for his role as the principal author, was tasked with articulating the colonies' intentions for independence from British rule. Despite the uniqueness of the document, there has been speculation and debate about the originality of some of its content.

While some historians argue that Jefferson drew inspiration from existing philosophical writings and previous declarations, others emphasize his original contributions, which resonate with his known ideals and political theories. However, the claim that Jefferson could have completely fabricated the Declaration without influence is commonly rejected. As students of history, it's essential to consider the intellectual milieu of the time, recognizing that the concepts of liberty, governance, and justice were widely discussed and debated, inevitably influencing Jefferson's drafting process.

Furthermore, analyzing Jefferson's authorship leads to a broader understanding of collective effort. The Continental Congress substantially edited Jefferson's original draft before its final adoption, reminding us that while Jefferson penned the document, it was a result of collaborative shaping and political consensus.

Historical document analysis is a critical skill that involves examining texts from the past to understand their significance and context. The Declaration of Independence, for example, is a foundational document of the United States and provides a wealth of information for analysis. When studying the Declaration, one must consider the language used, its rhetorical strategies, and the historical context in which it was written.

To thoroughly analyze a historical document like the Declaration, one must look beyond the text itself and consider the socio-political climate of the period. This includes understanding the tensions between the thirteen colonies and the British Crown, the philosophical influences of the Enlightenment on the colonists' thinking, and the events leading up to the American Revolution.

Including tools such as primary and secondary sources, looking into the author's background (in this case, Thomas Jefferson), and noting the public's reaction to the document when it was first published, can deepen one's comprehension. The analysis is not just about the document's content but also about its place in the historical narrative and its impact on subsequent generations.

ACT reading comprehension strategies are vital for students wishing to excel in the ACT examination. These strategies help in breaking down complex passages and extracting the central ideas and themes effectively.

Textual analysis is a crucial part of these strategies, where students are encouraged to critically engage with the text, identify the author's tone and purpose, and discern implicit meanings and implications. For example, analyzing a passage about Thomas Jefferson's authorship of the Declaration of Independence requires close reading to understand the nuances of the author's argument. Students should focus on keywords and phrases used in the passage, consider the context in which statements are made, and evaluate different answer choices for their validity.

Furthermore, effective ACT reading strategies include annotating the passage, summarizing paragraphs, and making inferences based on the text. When faced with multiple-choice questions, it is important to eliminate obviously incorrect answers, pay attention to specifics referenced in the text, and choose answers that are best supported by the passage. Developing these skills requires practice and familiarity with various types of texts and questions that can appear in the ACT.