Question

Informational Text: Historical Document
In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson worked with Congress to pass the Civil Rights Act, extensive legislation designed to protect the rights of African Americans, including the right to vote. Read the excerpt from the speech in which Johnson introduced the act. (In the speech, Johnson uses the language of his day.) Then, answer the question(s).

Our lives have been marked with debate about great issues; issues of war and peace, issues of prosperity and depression. But rarely in any time does an issue lay bare the secret heart of America itself. Rarely are we met with a challenge, not to our growth or abundance, our welfare or our security, but rather to the values and the purposes and the meaning of our beloved Nation.

The issue of equal rights for American Negroes is such an issue. And should we defeat every enemy, should we double our wealth and conquer the stars, and still be unequal to this issue, then we will have failed as a people and as a nation.

For with a country as with a person, "What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

At the end of this excerpt, why does Johnson quote a question from the Bible without offering an answer?
A. He believes his legislation will answer the question.
B. He is hoping his readers will look up the quotation themselves.
C. He is asking a rhetorical question to prompt listeners to see the issue from his perspective.
D. He wants to use a variety of sentence structures as well as some familiar quotations to add interest.

Answer 1

C. He is asking a rhetorical question to prompt listeners to see the issue from his perspective.

Explanation: By quoting the Bible without answering it, Johnson uses a rhetorical device to emphasize the moral stakes — urging listeners to recognize that material success means little if the nation fails to achieve justice and equality.