Chapter I: The Cornerstone of Liberty

Three little vessels—the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery—left England in December, 1606, under the command of Captain Christopher Newport, to found a colony on the distant shores of Virginia. Two decades earlier Sir Walter Raleigh had sent out a group of settlers to what is now North Carolina, and they had disappeared mysteriously. What had happened to them? men asked. Had they been killed by the Indians? Had they fallen victims to disease? Had they starved? Those who shared in this new venture must have wondered if a like fate awaited them in this strange new land.

But their spirits rose when they entered Chesapeake Bay. Landing parties were delighted with the "fair meddowes ... full of flowers of divers kinds and colors," the "goodly tall trees," and the streams of fresh water. It was a smiling country which seemed to bid them welcome. But when they entered the mouth of a broad river, which they called the James in honor of their King, and made their way up into the country, new doubts must have assailed them. They knew that savages lived in the dense forests which lined both banks; might not strange wild beasts live there also? Might there not be fatal diseases unknown in Europe?

What is the main point of the second paragraph of the "Give Me Liberty" excerpt?

Despite a cheerful landing, worries were high.

Spirits were high upon landing.

The settlers chose to honor their king.

The land had much to offer the settlers. I believe the answer is A.

I skimmed the first paragraph, but read the second more thoroughly. You are correct. A is the answer.

Plus -- I've been reading for over 65 years. Experience counts. :-)

The answer is a

I agree.

Do you agree or am I correct? and How can you read through all that so fast?

Correct! The main point of the second paragraph is that despite the initial positive impressions of the land, the settlers still had worries and doubts about their safety and survival in this new and unfamiliar territory. The paragraph mentions that the landing parties were delighted with the beautiful scenery and abundant resources, but upon entering the river and heading further into the country, new doubts and concerns arose about potential dangers such as savage tribes and unfamiliar diseases. This indicates that the settlers had mixed emotions and were not completely at ease despite the favorable first impressions of the land.