Question

read the excerpt from \george washington.\

washington enjoyed less than three years of retirement at mount vernon, for he died of a throat infection december 14, 1799. for months the nation mourned him.

which provides an accurate, objective summary of this excerpt?

• washington developed a throat infection and died in 1799, less than three years after he retired at mount vernon.
• washington enjoyed less than three years of retirement at mount vernon before he died of a throat infection.
• washington spent his retirement at mount vernon. however, this retirement lasted less than three years. washington developed a throat infection that caused his death on december 14, 1799. the people of america grieved his loss for many months.
• washington was unlucky and developed a throat infection after his retirement. he died on december 14, 1799. i think his disappointment with politics caused him to get sick.

Explanation:

Analyze the source text

The excerpt states three main facts:

1. Washington had less than three years of retirement at Mount Vernon.
2. He died of a throat infection on December 14, 1799.
3. The Nation mourned him for months.

Define objective summary criteria

An objective summary must include all key details from the text without adding personal opinions, subjective words (like "unlucky"), or outside speculation.

Using Reading Comprehension, we evaluate the options to see which one covers all three facts objectively.

Evaluate the options

• Option 1: "Washington developed a throat infection and died in 1799, less than three years after he retired at Mount Vernon."

Misses the detail about the nation mourning.

• Option 2: "Washington enjoyed less than three years of retirement at Mount Vernon before he died of a throat infection."

Misses the detail about the nation mourning.

• Option 3: "Washington spent his retirement at Mount Vernon. However, this retirement lasted less than three years. Washington developed a throat infection that caused his death on December 14, 1799. The people of America grieved his loss for many months."

Using Textual Analysis, this option accurately and objectively covers all three key points from the source text.

• Option 4: "Washington was unlucky and developed a throat infection after his retirement. He died on December 14, 1799. I think his disappointment with politics caused him to get sick."

Contains subjective language ("unlucky") and personal opinion ("I think..."), which violates the rules of an objective summary.

Identify the correct choice

Option 3 is the only complete, objective summary.

Answer:

• (A) Washington developed a throat infection and died in 1799, less than three years after he retired at Mount Vernon.
• (B) Washington enjoyed less than three years of retirement at Mount Vernon before he died of a throat infection.
• (C) Washington spent his retirement at Mount Vernon. However, this retirement lasted less than three years. Washington developed a throat infection that caused his death on December 14, 1799. The people of America grieved his loss for many months. (Correct answer)
• (D) Washington was unlucky and developed a throat infection after his retirement. He died on December 14, 1799. I think his disappointment with politics caused him to get sick.