Question

passage 1
the following speech was delivered june 21,
1915, by well - known suffragette, orator and social
reformer, anna howard shaw, during new york
state’s equal suffrage campaign at the city
opera house in ogdensburg, new york.
adapted from the fundamental principle of a
republic
anna howard shaw
if a republic is a desirable form of
government, then we should have it, if it is not
then we ought not pretend that we have it. we
must be true to our ideals. and the men of new
york have for the first time in their lives, the rare
opportunity, of making the state truly a part of the
republic. it is the greatest opportunity which has
ever come to the men of the state... yet so few
people realize what a profound problem they
have to solve on november second. it is not
merely a trifling matter,... it is the most vital
problem we could have, and any man who goes
to the polls next november without thoroughly
informing himself in regard to this subject is
unworthy to be a citizen of this state, and unfit to
cast a ballot.
if women’s suffrage is wrong, it is a great
wrong and if it is right, it is a profound and

7
in “the fundamental principle of a republic,” which excerpt best develops the claim that equality
is central to democracy?
a. it is the greatest opportunity which has ever come to the men of the state...
b.... is unworthy to be a citizen of this state, and unfit to cast a ballot.
c. if a republic is a desirable form of government, then we should have it...
d.... if it is right, it is a profound and fundamental principle.

Explanation:

To determine which excerpt best develops the claim that equality is central to democracy, we analyze each option:

• Option A talks about an opportunity for men, not directly about equality in democracy.
• Option B describes someone unfit to vote, not about equality.
• Option C focuses on having a Republic if it's desirable, not on equality.
• Option D states that if women's suffrage is right, it's a profound and fundamental principle. Since suffrage (the right to vote) is a key aspect of equality in a democratic system (as democracy relies on equal political participation), this excerpt ties the rightness of women's suffrage (an equality - related issue) to a fundamental principle, supporting the claim that equality is central to democracy.

Answer:

D. ... if it is right, it is a profound and fundamental principle.