Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat: Address to Parliament
Winston Churchill
May 13, 1940 [During World War II]
INTRODUCTION
1 Mister Speaker, on Friday evening last I received His Majesty's commission to form a new Administration. It was the evident wish and will of Parliament and the nation that this should be conceived on the broadest possible basis and that it should include all parties, both those who supported the late Government and also the parties of the Opposition. I have completed the most important part of this task. A War Cabinet has been formed of five Members, representing, with the Liberal Opposition, the unity of the nation.
2 The three party Leaders have agreed to serve, either in the War Cabinet or in high executive office. The three Fighting Services have been filled. It was necessary that this should be done in one single day, on account of the extreme urgency and rigor of events. A number of other key positions were filled yesterday, and I am submitting a further list to His Majesty tonight. I hope to complete the appointment of the principal Ministers during tomorrow. The appointment of the other Ministers usually takes a little longer, but I trust that when Parliament meets again, this part of my task will be completed, and that the administration will be complete in all respects.
3 Sir, I considered it in the public interest to suggest that the House should be summoned to meet today. Mr. Speaker agreed, and took the necessary steps, in accordance with the powers conferred upon him by the Resolution of the House. At the end of the proceedings today, the Adjournment of the House will be proposed until Tuesday, the 21st of May, with, of course, provision for earlier meeting, if need be. The business to be considered during that week will be notified to Members at the earliest opportunity. I now invite the House, by the Resolution which stands in my name, to record its approval of the steps taken and to declare its confidence in the new Government.
CLOSING
4 We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I will say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: victory; victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival. Let that be realized; no survival for the British Empire, no survival for all that the British Empire has stood for, no survival for the urge and impulse of the ages, that mankind will move forward towards its goal. But I take up my task with buoyancy and hope. I feel sure that our cause will not be suffered to fail among men. At this time I feel entitled to claim the aid of all, and I say, "Come then, let us go forward together with our united strength."
Question
Which statement BEST describes the central idea of this text?
Responses
A The Opposition has been included as part of the War Cabinet.The Opposition has been included as part of the War Cabinet.
B War is a terrible state of affairs and is best faced head on.War is a terrible state of affairs and is best faced head on.
C England can only be as victorious as the soldiers who serve her. England can only be as victorious as the soldiers who serve her.
D The War Cabinet has been filled and the country is ready for war.The War Cabinet has been filled and the country is ready for war.
E England's government will always triumph over other forms of government.
The central idea of this text is:
B - War is a terrible state of affairs and is best faced head on.
The central idea of this text can be identified by analyzing the main points and message conveyed by Winston Churchill. In this speech, Churchill emphasizes the importance of unity and determination in the face of the impending war. He highlights the formation of a new Administration that includes all parties and the unity of the nation. Churchill acknowledges the severity of the upcoming struggle and suffering, but asserts that the policy of the government is to wage war against tyranny with all their might. He stresses the aim of victory at all costs, expressing that without victory, there will be no survival for the British Empire and all that it represents. Churchill calls for the aid and unity of all to move forward together with strength and hope.
Considering these points, the statement that BEST describes the central idea of this text is:
B) War is a terrible state of affairs and is best faced head on.