What effect does the use of the words would and could, along with punctuation, have on this text?

Question

(1 point)
Responses

It suggests that racial equality in the United States was once viewed as impossible to achieve.
It suggests that racial equality in the United States was once viewed as impossible to achieve.

It builds the uncertainty that all Americans faced toward many elements of society after the Civil War.
It builds the uncertainty that all Americans faced toward many elements of society after the Civil War.

It illustrates that abolishing slavery did very little to change most opinions after the Civil War.
It illustrates that abolishing slavery did very little to change most opinions after the Civil War.

It stresses how obstinate White leaders in the United States once were toward Black Americans.

Answer 1

The use of the words "would" and "could," along with punctuation, generally conveys a sense of possibility, speculation, and uncertainty. In the context of the given responses about racial equality in the United States after the Civil War, the most appropriate effect suggested by those words and punctuation is:

It builds the uncertainty that all Americans faced toward many elements of society after the Civil War.

This response captures the essence of how "would" and "could" evoke tentative thoughts and the indecisiveness present at that time regarding societal changes and racial equality.