Question

“The great increase of drunkenness, within the last half century, among the people of the United States, led a number of philanthropic individuals . . . to consult together, upon the duty of making more united, systematic, and extended efforts for the prevention of this evil. Its cause was at once seen to be, the use of intoxicating liquor; and its appropriate remedy, abstinence. It was also known, that the use of such liquor, as a beverage, is not only needless, but injurious to the health, the virtue, and the happiness of men. It was believed, that the facts which had been . . . collected would prove this . . . ; and that if the knowledge of them were universally disseminated it would, with the divine blessing, do much toward changing the habits of the nation. . . . [The American Temperance Society’s] object is . . . the exertion of kind moral influence . . . to effect such a change of sentiment and practice, that drunkenness and all its evils will cease.”

Introduction to a book of reports from the American Temperance Society, 1835


Which of the following evidence was used by the American Temperance Society in the excerpt to explain why people would join the temperance movement?


The abstention from alcohol would extend American life expectancy.

Option A,The abstention from alcohol would extend American life expectancy.

a

The development of treatments for alcoholism would change the habits of men.

Option B,The development of treatments for alcoholism would change the habits of men.

b

The formation of a national movement would eliminate the consumption of alcohol.

Option C,The formation of a national movement would eliminate the consumption of alcohol.

c

The use of specific studies would convince people to believe the movement’s goals.

Option D,The use of specific studies would convince people to believe the movement’s goals.

d

Answer 1

Option D.

The excerpt says facts had been collected showing alcohol’s harms and that if those facts were widely disseminated they would, with divine blessing, change people’s habits — i.e., specific studies/facts would convince people.