Question

It was President Roosevelt who began the campaign to break up Standard Oil. He argued that trusts cannot be controlled, and are likely to raise prices and gouge consumers.

According to this passage, what was Roosevelt’s real reason for breaking up Standard Oil?

He believed that Standard Oil was unlikely to set high prices.
He wanted to prevent Standard Oil from expanding overseas.
He feared the control Standard Oil had in the market.
He wanted to limit consumer choices in the market

Answer 1

He feared the control Standard Oil had in the market.

The passage says he argued that trusts "cannot be controlled" and were "likely to raise prices and gouge consumers," showing his concern about their market power.