Read the quotation from Lincoln Steffens’s The Shame of the Cities."My purpose was...to see if the shameful facts, spread out in all their shame, would not burn through our civic shamelessness and set fire to American pride." Which of the following best describes Steffens' purpose in writing about government?
Answer
A
to encourage Americans to feel more pride in their government
B
to highlight corruption in city and state governments
C
to arouse public sympathy for government officials
D
to incite Americans into a fiery revolt against their government
Explanation
Steffens says he wanted to expose “shameful facts” so that Americans would respond to them and take pride in improving their civic life. The Shame of the Cities reported on corruption in municipal and state governments, so the best choice is “to highlight corruption in city and state governments.” He was not calling for a violent revolt or asking readers to sympathize with officials.
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