Question

On August 8, 1974, Richard Nixon resigned from the presidency only a few steps ahead of the long arm of the law. Nixon, the United States' thirty-seventh president, was accused of outrageous acts of deceit. These include hiding illegal campaign funds, keeping an enemies list, and even condoning larceny. The nationally televised soap opera, commonly referred to as Watergate, mesmerized people all around the globe. When the enormity of Nixon's actions finally forced him from office, the public was stunned by the extent of his misdeeds. What is the author implying by comparing the Watergate scandal to a soap opera? a) The Watergate scandal was a fictional story. b) The Watergate scandal was entertaining like a soap opera. c) Nixon's actions were justifiable, like soap opera plot twists. d) The Watergate scandal had a happy ending.

Answer 1

The author is implying that b) The Watergate scandal was entertaining like a soap opera.

Step-by-step explanation:

The comparison to a soap opera suggests that the unfolding events of the Watergate scandal were filled with dramatic twists, turns, and revelations, captivating the public's attention like a serialized drama. Just as a soap opera keeps viewers engaged with scandalous and sensational storylines, the Watergate scandal gripped people globally due to its intrigue, deceit, and the involvement of high-ranking government officials.

The author isn't suggesting the events were fictional or justifiable; rather, they're emphasizing the scandal's captivating, almost theatrical nature, with its real-life drama unfolding on a public stage through televised hearings and media coverage. The term "soap opera" underscores the intense, dramatic, and attention-grabbing nature of the scandal, not its fictitiousness or the justification of Nixon's actions.

The correct answer is b) The Watergate scandal was entertaining like a soap opera.