Final answer:
Progressives aimed to have the government address d. social and economic issues, resulting in various reforms and legislation at different government levels to ensure welfare, consumer safety, and fair economic practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Progressives wanted the government to respond to the needs of citizens so that people and government working together could solve social and economic issues. This era saw the government take on a larger role, with an increasing responsibility for human welfare, in an attempt to combat a wide range of problems acute during that time, such as unemployment, dangerous working conditions, political corruption, and various abuses in the economic arena. Multiple legislative and reforms took place at both state and national levels, aimed at regulating economic activity, developing social welfare programs, ensuring consumer safety, preserving lands, and stabilizing the banking system.
Some of the achievements of the Progressive Era included the regulation of trusts and monopolies, the enforcement of consumer safety laws like the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act, and the creation of the Labor Department. Moreover, reforms in democracy and the role of government were advocated by Progressives to better address the complex social problems of the time. These diverse causes were brought to public attention by muckraking journalists who highlighted the importance of responding to these social and economic challenges.
Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is d. social and economic issues.