Question

1 read the text below, and answer the question that follows. i know some say, let us have good laws, and no matter for the men that execute them: but let them consider, that though good laws do well, good men do better: for good laws may want good men, and be escaped or evaded inserted in franklin’s print by ill men; but good men will never want good laws, not suffer ill ones. it is true, good laws have some awe upon ill ministers, but that is where they have not power to overrule them, and the people are generally wise and good: but a loose and depraved people (which is the question) love laws and an administration like themselves. that, therefore, which makes a good constitution, must keep it, we men of wisdom and virtue, qualities, that because they descend not with worldly inheritances, must be carefully propagated by a virtuous education of youth, for which after ages will have more to the care and prudence of founders, and the successive magistracy, for their private patrimonies. which of the following identifies an underlying idea in this text? people can be educated and trained to be good laws are useless to control people. there are many different acceptable forms of behavior. people with evil intent like to have laws that allow their bad behaviors

Explanation:

The text emphasizes that good laws need to be accompanied by a virtuous education of youth (so that people can be educated to be good) and proper administration. Let's analyze each option:

• Option "People can be educated and trained to be good": The text says "must be carefully propagated by a virtuous education of youth, for which after ages will owe more to the care and prudence of founders, and the successive magistracy, than to their parents, for their private patrimonies" and implies that education/training can lead people to be good, matching this idea.
• Option "Laws are useless to control people": The text says good laws do well with good men and need care in propagation, not that laws are useless. Eliminate.
• Option "There are many different acceptable forms of behavior": The text focuses on good laws and educating people to be good, not on multiple acceptable behaviors. Eliminate.
• Option "People with evil intent like to have laws that allow their bad behaviors": The text says good laws may be escaped/evaded by ill men but good men want good laws, not that evil - intent people want laws for bad behavior. Eliminate.

Answer:

A. People can be educated and trained to be good