Question

the politics of the 1960s: mastery test

...security and succor to those in need. but the new frontier of which i speak is not a set of promises-it is a set of challenges. it sums up not what i intend to offer the american people, but what i intend to ask of them. it appeals to their pride, not to their pocketbook-it holds out the promise of more sacrifice instead of more security.

but i believe the times demand new invention, innovation, imagination, decision. i am asking each of you to be pioneers on that new frontier. my call is to the young in heart, regardless of age-to all who respond to the scriptural call: be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed.

there may be those who wish to hear more-more promises to this group-or more harsh rhetoric about the men in the kremlin-more assurances of a golden future, where taxes are always low and subsidies ever high. but my promises are in the platform you have adopted-our ends will not be won by rhetoric and we can have faith in the future only if we have faith in ourselves.\

-john f. kennedy, nomination speech

january 20, 1961

what was kennedys purpose in making these statements?

to reflect on the failures of previous administrations and solutions to fix the current problems
to challenge americans, especially young people, to join him in the fight for change in this new era
to uphold the decisions made by past presidencies and promise to continue their policies
to convince americas youth to sign up for the military to assist the war effort in vietnam

Explanation:

Analyze the historical context

Using the Authors Purpose knowledge point, we examine the excerpt from John F. Kennedy's Nomination Speech. Kennedy introduces his concept of the "New Frontier," contrasting it with past political frameworks. He states that it is "not a set of promises—it is a set of challenges" and that it "appeals to their pride, not to their pocketbook."

Evaluate the textual evidence

Using the Reading Comprehension knowledge point, we look at the specific calls to action in the text. Kennedy explicitly states: "I am asking each of you to be pioneers on that New Frontier. My call is to the young in heart, regardless of age..." This shows he is directly calling on the American public to participate in a collective effort.

Assess the answer choices

We compare the options against our textual analysis:

• Option 1 focuses on reflecting on failures, which is not the primary goal of this forward-looking call to action.
• Option 2 states "to challenge Americans, especially young people, to join him in the fight for change in this new era." This directly matches his appeal to be "pioneers on that New Frontier" and his call to the "young in heart."
• Option 3 suggests upholding past policies, but Kennedy contrasts his vision with past administrations.
• Option 4 mentions the military draft for Vietnam, which is not discussed in this excerpt.

Answer:

• (A) to reflect on the failures of previous administrations and solutions to fix the current problems
• (B) to challenge Americans, especially young people, to join him in the fight for change in this new era (Correct answer)
• (C) to uphold the decisions made by past presidencies and promise to continue their policies
• (D) to convince America's youth to sign up for the military to assist the war effort in Vietnam