Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 66%

This excerpt is from a message delivered by President Richard Nixon to the U.S. Congress in 1970.
[W]e in this century have too casually and too long abused our natural environment.
The fight against pollution is not a search for villains. For the most part, the damage done to our environment has not been the work of evil men, nor has it been the inevitable by-product either of advancing technology or of growing population. It results not so much from choices made, as from choices neglected; not from [evil] intention, but from failure to take into account the full consequences of our actions.
The tasks that need doing... call for fundamentally new philosophies of land, air and water use, for stricter regulation, for expanded government action, for greater citizen involvement, and for new programs to ensure that government, industry and individuals all are called on to do their share of the job and to pay their share of the cost.

Which statement identifies the purpose of President Nixon's message?

Rationale

To convince Congress that it must take part in action to address human damage to the environment.

President Nixon's message aimed to galvanize congressional action toward environmental protection, emphasizing the necessity for legislative involvement to mitigate the adverse effects of human activities on the environment.

A (to convince Congress that technological advancement and population growth must be slowed to protect the environment) YOUR ANSWER

While technological advancement and population growth can impact the environment, Nixon's message focused specifically on the need for congressional action rather than proposing a slowdown of these factors. His goal was to encourage proactive measures rather than restrict progress.

B (to convince Congress that industrial polluters of the air and water should not pay for cleaning the environment) YOUR ANSWER

This statement misrepresents Nixon's intent, as his message did not advocate for polluters to evade responsibility. Instead, he called for actions that would involve accountability and measures to combat pollution, not absolution from cleaning efforts.

C (to convince Congress that it must take part in action to address human damage to the environment) CORRECT

Nixon's message explicitly sought to engage Congress in the urgent need to address the environmental degradation caused by human activities. This call to action was central to his address, highlighting the necessity of legislative support for environmental initiatives.

D (to convince Congress that there should be no benefits for businesses that pollute the environment) YOUR ANSWER

Although Nixon touched on the need for accountability, this statement oversimplifies his message. He aimed for broader engagement and action rather than solely focusing on eliminating benefits for polluting businesses. His call was for comprehensive measures to address environmental concerns.

Conclusion

Nixon's message was a clarion call for Congress to engage actively in environmental protection efforts in response to human-induced damage. It emphasized the need for legislative support and action rather than merely critiquing or penalizing businesses. This proactive approach aimed to foster a collaborative effort toward environmental stewardship and sustainability.

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