Question

which choice best provides a conclusion to follow sentences 12 and 13 (reproduced below)? slavery had only been abolished for about 50 years at the time these poems were published. less than one hundred years had passed since the end of the civil war. but the legacy of these poems lies in reminding the reader that no one group is uniform; that the history of a people includes many different voices and experiences. harlem renaissance writers included many references to slavery in their work as a way to show how the past also shapes the present. in conclusion, harlem renaissance writers produced a large amount of work about african american life and culture that continues to be read. however, the legacy of slavery survived as a formative influence on the work that these poets created, and it brought light to the continuing racism faced by african americans.

Explanation:

The preceding sentences focus on the recent end of slavery and the Civil War when the poems were published. The best conclusion must directly connect this historical context to the poems' focus. The fourth option links the lingering legacy of slavery to the poets' work and the ongoing racism they addressed, which aligns with the context of the recent end of these oppressive systems. The other options either shift to unrelated points about group uniformity, make a broad claim about Harlem Renaissance writers without tying to the specific context, or give a generic summary of their work.

Answer:

However, the legacy of slavery survived as a formative influence on the work that these poets created, and it brought light to the continuing racism faced by African Americans.