Question

which inference about the relationship between pilots and residents is best supported by the passage below (paragraph 11)?
this was the 1950s, and those machines were a lot louder than todays fighters. still, i never came across people in my part of north texas who minded the noise. we had won world war ii not long before, and the air force was a source of pride. it wasnt until decades later, when residents near air bases began talking about the noise, that pilots felt the need to answer the complaints. theyd sport bumper stickers that said jet noise. the sound of freedom
a. pilots and residents were always in conflict about jet noise
b. residents were too proud of air force pilots to complain about jet noise
c. pilots felt residents were silly for protesting jet noise
d. pilots were sympathetic to residents complaints about jet noise

Explanation:

The passage states that in the 1950s, people in North Texas didn't mind the noise as the Air Force was a source of pride. It was only decades later when residents started complaining about the noise that pilots responded with "JET NOISE. THE SOUND OF FREEDOM" bumper stickers. This implies that pilots thought residents were silly for protesting jet noise.

• Option A: Incorrect. The passage says they weren't in conflict initially.
• Option B: Incorrect. Residents only started complaining decades later.
• Option C: Correct. The bumper sticker response shows pilots' view.
• Option D: Incorrect. The bumper sticker indicates a lack of sympathy.

Answer:

C. Pilots felt residents were silly for protesting jet noise.