"Keep Conspiracy Theories from Ruining Family Time"

Question

by Nsikan Akpan

“It’s certainly strategic to say that you are the victim of a conspiracy, that there is a witch hunt out to get you. Because it sort of throws those accusations into a negative light,” Uscinski said. “It turns the attention away from you trying to defend yourself, to finding the truth. Now the accuser has to defend themselves.”

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Question
Use the passage from the “How to Keep Conspiracy Theories from Ruining Your Time with Family” article to answer the question.

Which choice explains the connotation of the phrase “witch hunt” as used in the text?

(1 point)
Responses

negative because it alludes to an irrational period of American history
negative because it alludes to an irrational period of American history

positive because it questions the impact of conspiracies in the United States
positive because it questions the impact of conspiracies in the United States

negative because it suggests the truth is impossible to find
negative because it suggests the truth is impossible to find

positive because it contrasts the accusers with the accused

Answer 1

The correct response is:

negative because it alludes to an irrational period of American history

The phrase "witch hunt" connotes a sense of unjust persecution and irrationality, which relates to the historical context of actual witch hunts where innocent people were accused and harmed based on unfounded suspicions. This aligns with the negative connotation intended in the passage.