Question

Read the following excerpt from a speech.

Russia has been gathering weaponry in the east, an act
that concerns us. As Americans, we must agree to
organize ourselves to defend Russia's neighbors against
this aggression.
Which change to the text would create a stronger emotional appeal to the
audience?
O
A. Replacing the word "defend" with "help"
O
B. Replacing the word "gathering with "hoarding"
O
C. Replacing the word "Americans" with "citizens"
O
D. Replacing the word "weaponry" with "armaments"

Answer 1

A. Replacing the word "defend" with "help"

Step-by-step explanation:

"Help" is more emotional word than "defend". Use of the word "help" implies that the party/country being helped is weak and needs someone, while the word "defend" does not give any clue to whether the party/nation being defended is weak or not, and whether they really need it or not. Hence replacing the word "defend" with "help" would create a strong emotional appeal to the audience.

Option B is incorrect because replacing the word "gathering with "hoarding" will make the speech sensational but not emotional.

Option C is incorrect because replacing the word "Americans" with "citizens" will make it ambiguous.

Option D is incorrect because replacing the word "weaponry" with "armaments" would only tell a bit more about kind of weaponry, with almost no effect on emotional appeal.