italics,

Question

 
from ,begin bold,The Indifference of Women,end bold,
 
paragraph 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. . . .

paragraph 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 women's progress.

 
(from "The Indifference of Women" by Alice Stone Blackwell)
Question 1
This question has two parts. Answer Part A, and then answer Part B.
 
,begin emphasis,Part A,end emphasis,
What is the ,begin emphasis,main,end emphasis, claim the author makes in the passage?
Question 1 Answer options with 4 options
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.
Question 2
,begin emphasis,Part B,end emphasis,
Which detail from the passage ,begin emphasis,best,end emphasis, supports the correct answer from Part A?
Question 2 Answer options with 4 options
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)
3.
"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." (Paragraph 2)
4.
"The change now under discussion is to be judged on its merits." (Paragraph 2)

Answer 1

Question 1
Part A
What is the main claim the author makes in the passage?

Correct Answer: 4. Sometimes it is necessary to pass good but unpopular laws.
The author discusses how significant changes for women's rights were made historically despite the indifference or opposition of many women, implying that such changes can and should happen even if they are not universally supported at the time.

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Question 2
Part B
Which detail from the passage best supports the correct answer from Part A?

Correct Answer: 3. "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." (Paragraph 2)
This statement illustrates that progress on women's rights occurred without the majority support, emphasizing the idea that it is sometimes necessary to implement reforms that are beneficial but may not be popular at the moment.