Eventually, his son King Charles II would be crowned, and this Charles is believed to have converted secretly to the Catholic Church. Charles II died without a legitimate heir, and his brother James ascended to the throne as King James II. James was recognized to be a practicing Catholic, and his commitment to Catholicism would prove to e his downfall. James's wife Mary Beatrice lost a number of children during their infancy, and when she became pregnant again in 1687 the public became concerned. If James had a son, that son would undoubtedly be raised a Catholic, and the English people would not stand for this. Mary gave birth to a son, but the story quickly circulated that the royal child had died and the child named James's heir was a foundling smuggled in. James, his wife, and his infant son were forced to flee; and James's Protestant daughter Mary was crowned the queen. In spite of a strong resemblance to the ing, the young James was generally rejected among the English and the Lowland Scots, who referred to him as "the Pretender." But in the Highlands the Catholic princeling was welcomed. He inspired a group known as Jacobites, to reflect the Latin version of his name. His own son Charles, known affectionately as Bonnie Price Charlie, would eventually raise an army and attempt to recapture what he believed to be his throne. The movement was soundly defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, and England and Scotland have remained ostensibly Protestant ever since.
What is the author's likely purpose in writing this passage about Queen Victoria?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The author's likely purpose in writing this passage about Queen Victoria is to explain how small events in history led to an unlikely princess becoming the queen of England. The passage details the series of events that changed the course of British succession and highlights Victoria's unexpected path to the throne. It focuses on the historical process that resulted in her becoming queen, rather than persuading the reader to appreciate her accomplishments, introducing the Victorian Era as a whole, or discussing the role of other historical figures like King George III's sons.
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