Question

Study the anti-smoking poster created by the US Department of Health and Human Services in 1998.



Which statement best explains how the elements in the photograph add to the message?

The use of black and white instead of color provides a sense of nostalgia, suggesting that things were better in the past.
The image of a car part in one of the young man’s hands and a cigarette in the other shows the contrast between being smart and foolish.
The car parts spread throughout the room create a sense of chaos that the message builds on to show the effects of smoking.
The light hanging from the ceiling indicates a sense of hope that the young man will continue on his path in a healthy way.

Answer 1

The image of a car part in one of the young man’s hands and a cigarette in the other shows the contrast between being smart and foolish.

This juxtaposition highlights that despite doing something constructive or responsible (working on a car), the cigarette represents a self-destructive choice—emphasizing the poster’s anti-smoking message.