Question

read the passage.
in this excerpt from a speech before the committee on the judiciary of the u.s. house of representatives in 1898, alice stone blackwell advocates for womens suffrage.
from the indifference of women
1 all this merely shows that human nature is conservative, and that it is fully as conservative in women as in men. the persons who take a strong interest in any reform are always comparatively few, whether among men or women, and they are habitually regarded with disfavor, even by those whom the proposed reform is to benefit. . . .
2 many changes for the better have been made during the last half century in the laws, written and unwritten, relating to women. everybody approves of these changes now, because they have become accomplished facts. but not one of them would have been made to this day if it had been necessary to wait until the majority of women asked for it. the change now under discussion is to be judged on its merits. in the light of history the indifference of most women and the opposition of a few must be taken as a matter of course. it has no more rational significance now than it has had in regard to each previous step of womens progress.
(from \the indifference of women\ by alice stone blackwell)

1. the current proposal is too revolutionary to be approved.
2. most people are afraid of change, even when it is necessary.
3. the people in opposition to the new policy are unreasonable.
4. sometimes it is necessary to pass good but unpopular laws.

part b
which detail from the passage best supports the correct answer from part a?

1. \all this merely shows that human nature is conservative, and that it is fully as conservative in women as in men.\ (paragraph 1)
2. \everybody approves of these changes now, because they have become accomplished facts.\ (paragraph 2)

Explanation:

• For Part A:
• The passage emphasizes that many beneficial changes for women (like in laws) were made even when not initially demanded by the majority. This implies that sometimes good but unpopular (as they weren't initially widely asked for) laws (changes) need to be passed.
• For Part B:
• The detail “Everybody approves of these changes now, because they have become accomplished facts. But not one of them would have been made to this day if it had been necessary to wait until the majority of women asked for it.” supports the idea in Part A (that sometimes good but unpopular laws need to be passed). It shows that changes (laws) were made without majority demand (unpopular at the time of implementation) and later approved (good).

Answer:

Part A: 4. Sometimes it is necessary to pass good but unpopular laws.
Part B: 2. "Everybody approves of these changes now, because they have become accomplished facts." (Paragraph 2)