URGENT HELP PLEASE ENGLISH

Question

Read the passage from John F. Kennedy’s “Speech at American University.”

In short, both the United States and its allies, and the Soviet Union and its allies, have a mutually deep interest in a just and genuine peace and in halting the arms race. Agreements to this end are in the interests of the Soviet Union as well as ours—and even the most hostile nations can be relied upon to accept and keep those treaty obligations, and only those treaty obligations, which are in their own interest. So, let us not be blind to our differences—but let us also direct attention to our common interests and to the means by which those differences can be resolved. And if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.

Which option best explains the purpose of this passage?

Speech at American University

to express contempt toward countries that have nuclear weapons and to state his belief that world peace is unattainable because of these weapons

to raise the idea that every country that has nuclear weapons should lay them down and surrender so that a world peace movement can begin

to contemplate what the world would look like if nuclear war happened and to contrast that with the benefits of world peace

to emphasize the benefits to all from reducing the threat of nuclear arms and stresses that cooperation aimed at peace can serve the interests of all nations

Answer 1

First, I would suggest eliminating the choices that cannot be true. Read each choice carefully and identify some detail that is not true. If a detail is not true, that choice should be eliminated.

Let's sort through them briefly. The first one says the purpose of the speech was to "...express contempt...and to state...that world peace is unattainable..." Yet, in his speech, Kennedy clearly states that the United States, the Soviet Union, and all their allies have "...mutually deep interest in a just and genuine peace..." Obviously Kennedy was saying that peace was possible, so eliminate the first one. The second one suggests that nuclear powers should "surrender" so "...a world peace movement can begin..." Kennedy mentioned nothing about any "world...movement" - nor about anyone surrendering. This eliminates the second choice.

Next, the third selection suggests that Kennedy was contemplating "what the world would look like if nuclear war happened," yet nothing in the speech excerpt describes any effects or aftermath of a nuclear weapon. Because of this, there is also no opportunity to "contrast that with the benefits of world peace." Therefore, eliminate the third one, and consider the last one.

Does Kennedy, in this excerpt, "discuss the benefits to all" if the threat of nuclear arms is reduced? Does Kennedy stress "that cooperation aimed at peace can serve the interests of all nations"? Yes to both! Kennedy is trying to sound positive and encouraging - not only to the graduating students, but also to the leaders of the Soviet Union and their allies, whom Kennedy knows are watching and listening. Any negativity could come across as a veiled threat, so Kennedy left such things out of this speech. Also, Kennedy clearly says, "if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal." All this reference to the entire planet and all our children is intended to emphasize the similarities and common interests of all nations of the world.