Question

9/11 address to the nation
by george w. bush (excerpt)

on the evening of september 11, 2001, president george w. bush spoke to the american people. earlier that day, terrorist attacks in new york city and washington d.c. claimed the lives of almost 3,000 americans.

(1) good evening.

(2) today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. the victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, business men and women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. the pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge - huge structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. these acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. but they have failed. our country is strong.

(3) a great people has been moved to defend a great nation. terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of america. these acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of american resolve. america was targeted for attack because were the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. and no one will keep that light from shining. today, our nation saw evil - the very worst of human nature - and we responded with the best of america. with the daring of our rescue workers...

select the correct answer.

which words best describe the tone created by president bushs word choices in his speech?

• repression and formality
• sadness and isolation
• pessimism and harmony
• determination and grief

Explanation:

Analyze the emotional expressions in the text

The excerpt contains words and phrases expressing deep sorrow and mourning, such as "deliberate and deadly terrorist acts," "suddenly ended by evil," "terrible sadness," and "mass murder." These choices establish a profound sense of grief.

Analyze the expressions of strength and resolve

The text also contains strong, defiant, and resolute language, such as "quiet, unyielding anger," "they have failed," "Our country is strong," "defend a great nation," "cannot dent the steel of American resolve," and "brightest beacon for freedom." These choices establish a sense of determination.

Match with the given options

Combining these two prominent emotional threads, the tone created by President Bush's word choices is best described as determination and grief.

Answer:

• repression and formality
• sadness and isolation
• pessimism and harmony
• determination and grief (Correct answer)