Question

question 2 of 10
read this excerpt from a speech by president harry s. truman:
if they were to succeed, the united states would be
numbered among their principal victims. it must be clear
to everyone that the united states cannot — and will not —
sit idly by and await foreign conquest. the only question is:
what is the best time to meet the threat and how is the
best way to meet it?
which phrase is most clearly meant to evoke fear in the listener?

a. only question is
b. sit idly by
c. meet the threat
d. foreign conquest

Explanation:

To determine which phrase evokes fear, we analyze each option:

• Option A: "only question is" is neutral, just introducing a query.
• Option B: "sit idly by" refers to inaction but doesn't directly evoke fear.
• Option C: "meet the threat" is about addressing a problem, not fear - inducing.
• Option D: "foreign conquest" implies a hostile takeover, which is a threatening and fear - provoking concept as it suggests loss of sovereignty and harm to the nation.

Answer:

D. foreign conquest