Question

Read the excerpt to answer the question.

"We want more school houses and less jails; more books and less arsenals; more learning and less vice; more constant work and less crime; more leisure and less greed; more justice and less revenge; in fact, more of the opportunities to cultivate our better natures, to make manhood more noble, womanhood more beautiful and childhood more happy and bright. These in brief are the primary demands made by the Trade Unions in the name of labor. These are the demands made by labor upon modern society and in their consideration is involved the fate of civilization."

Background information: Samuel Gompers was an important labor leader in the 1800s.
Which statement best reflects the main idea of the excerpt?
A) Modern society is too concerned with the fate of civilization.
B) Unions are working toward helping workers attain a better life. C)The only way workers can achieve higher wages is through the labor movement.
D) Economic growth is the key to improving people’s standard of living.

Answer 1

B

Step-by-step explanation:

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Answer 2

B) Unions are working toward helping workers attain a better life.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this quote by Samuel Gompers, the main idea is that labor unions are working towards securing better working conditions, living conditions for the workers. This quote has become more significant for its strong resilience and demand, not only for a specific group of people but for the whole working class, including children and mothers.

The post-war condition of the working class as such that there seems no possibility of attaining any solution or a better future. The labor union used this issue to make their demands for social reforms, asking for nothing great but rather "more schools ... more books..." and so on. They did not ask for better working conditions or an increase in their wages but rather a change in the way their children are brought up, asking for more opportunities to be educated and fewer chances of crime, revenge, etc. What the union wants is "to make manhood nobler, womanhood more beautiful and childhood more happy and bright". They want what is expected of in modern society, and demands that they are given the same chance to better themselves.

Thus, the correct answer is option B.