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Read the passage below and then choose the best answer to each question. Answer the questions on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage.
Passage
During the Second World War, when the Wrigley Company discovered that it did not have the resources to produce enough chewing gum for both civilians at home and soldiers abroad-soldiers who relied on gum to relieve dry mouths on the battlefield-it immediately donated all of its gum to the war effort. After the war, Wrigley's gum sales grew stronger than ever as Americans clamored for the company's "patriotic" chewing gum.

Why does the author place quotation marks around the word 'patriotic' (sentence 2)?

Rationale

To attribute to postwar Americans the perception of Wrigley's gum as patriotic.

The author uses quotation marks around the word 'patriotic' to indicate that this term reflects the viewpoint and sentiment of postwar Americans rather than an objective description. This stylistic choice emphasizes the subjective nature of the perception rather than endorsing it outright.

A (To attribute to postwar Americans the perception of Wrigley's gum as patriotic) CORRECT

The quotation marks suggest that the term 'patriotic' is a label applied by postwar Americans, highlighting how this sentiment is culturally constructed rather than universally accepted. This approach illustrates the author's intention to convey that the gum's association with patriotism is based on public perception during that era.

B (To praise the patriotism the Wrigley Company demonstrated during wartime) YOUR ANSWER

While the Wrigley Company may have acted in a patriotic manner, the author does not use quotation marks to signify praise for the company. Instead, the quotes around 'patriotic' imply skepticism or a need to critically evaluate the societal interpretation of patriotism associated with the gum, rather than offering an endorsement of it.

C (To show that American soldiers used the word 'patriotic' to describe Wrigley's gum) YOUR ANSWER

The author’s quotation marks do not indicate that soldiers specifically used the word; instead, they reflect a broader societal perception. This choice emphasizes that the term is not a direct quote from soldiers but rather a perspective attributed to the general public after the war.

D (To reveal that the Wrigley Company changed the name of its gum to include the word 'patriotic') YOUR ANSWER

There is no indication in the text that the Wrigley Company altered the name of its product. The quotation marks serve to highlight the subjective nature of the term as used by the public, rather than to indicate a change in the product’s branding.

Conclusion

The use of quotation marks around 'patriotic' serves to underscore the idea that this characterization of Wrigley's gum is rooted in the perceptions of postwar Americans, rather than being an objective or intrinsic quality. The author encourages readers to consider the cultural context of this term, illustrating how meanings can be shaped by public sentiment over time.

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