Question

9 ela common assessment 2.2
from address at rice university on the nations space effort
september 12, 1962
by president john f. kennedy
president john f. kennedy gave this speech as the nation began its moon launch program—an
effort to send a person to the moon for the first time in history.
we set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained, and new
rights to be won, and they must be won and used for the progress of all people. for
space science, like nuclear science and all technology, has no conscience of its own.
whether it will become a force for good or ill depends on man, and only if the united
states occupies a position of pre - eminence can we help decide whether this new
ocean will be a sea of peace or a new terrifying theater of war. i do not say that we
should or will go unprotected against the hostile misuse of space any more than we
should or will go unprotected against the hostile use of land or sea, but i do say that space can be
explored and mastered without feeding the fires of war, without repeating the
mistakes that man has made in extending his writ around this globe of ours.
there is no strife, no prejudice, no national conflict in outer space as yet. its hazards
are hostile to us all. its conquest deserves the best of all mankind, and its opportunity
for peaceful cooperation may never come again. but why, some say, should we
choose this as our goal? and they may well ask why climb the highest mountain?
why? 35 years ago, fly the atlantic? why does rice play texas?
we choose to go to the moon. we choose to go to the moon in this decade and do
the following question has two parts. answer part a first, and then part b.
part a
what counterclaim does president kennedy address in paragraph 2 of kennedy’s address?
○ the time is not right for friendship with certain nations.
○ going to the moon is not as difficult as some people think.
○ there is no good reason for the united states to go to the moon.
○ there are not enough qualified scientists available for a space launch.

Explanation:

Part A

To determine the counterclaim Kennedy addresses in paragraph 2, we analyze the text. In paragraph 2, Kennedy presents the question “But why, some say, choose this as our goal? And they may well ask why climb the highest mountain? Why 35 years ago, fly the Atlantic? Why does Rice play Texas?” This implies the counterclaim is that there is no good reason for the US to go to the moon (people questioning the purpose of going to the moon). The other options: the first is about friendship with nations (not addressed here), the second is about difficulty (he doesn't address that as a counterclaim here), and the fourth is about qualified scientists (not mentioned).

Answer:

C. There is no good reason for the United States to go to the moon.