Question

1. 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
whether will be 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
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, the moon? why
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
you will read two selections: an address on the us space efforts in 1962 by john f. kennedy and a
speech on foreign policy in 1821 by john q. adams. answer the questions about each selection.
then answer the question about both.
the following question has two parts. answer part a first, and then part b.
part a
which best analyzes president kennedy’s claim in selection 1 and a reason he gives to support it?

• claim: the united states should be a leader in space exploration.

reason: we can only ensure that space will be peaceful if we lead in exploring it.

• claim: we must protect ourselves from enemy attacks while we explore space.

reason: we must protect ourselves from enemy attacks while we explore space.

• claim: the united states must become the first country to land on the moon.

reason: national security requires us to watch out for threats from space.

• claim: the united states must become the first country to land on the moon.

reason: history will only remember us if we achieve something great in space.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

Analyzing Option 1:

• Claim: "The United States should be a leader in space exploration."
• Reason: "We can only ensure that space will be peaceful if we lead in exploring it."

Kennedy’s speech emphasizes using space exploration for progress and peace. The idea that leading in exploration ensures peace aligns with his argument that space’s use (for good or ill) depends on humanity, and leading exploration can guide it toward peace.

Analyzing Other Options:

• Option 2: The reason ("protect from enemy attacks") does not match Kennedy’s focus on progress/peace over military defense.
• Option 3: The claim ("first to land on the moon") is too narrow; Kennedy’s argument is about leadership in space exploration (not just landing first), and the reason about "national security threats" misinterprets his message.
• Option 4: The reason ("history will only remember us") is not a key part of Kennedy’s argument, which focuses on progress, peace, and leading in exploration, not fame.

The correct option is the one where the claim about U.S. leadership in space exploration and the reason about ensuring space peace through leadership align with Kennedy’s speech. Option 1’s claim and reason match his emphasis on using space exploration for progress and peace.

Answer:

A. Claim: The United States should be a leader in space exploration.
Reason: We can only ensure that space will be peaceful if we lead in exploring it.