Question

“There is filth on the floor, and it must be scraped up with the muck rake; and there are times and places where this service is the most needed of all the services that can be performed . . . The men with the muck rakes are often indispensable to the well-being of society.” According to this quotation, which of the following best describes Roosevelt's view on journalism?
A) Writers should be concerned about upsetting American political leaders.
B) Writers should not worry about upsetting the public.
C) Writers who expose corruption perform a vital service to America.
D) Writers should only expose corruption in certain industries.

Answer 1

The correct answer is C) writers who expose corruption perform a vital service to America.

According to the quote, the statement that best describes Roosevelt’s view in journalism is that writers who expose corruption perform a vital service to America.

In the excerpt, Roosevelt explains it this way: “There is filth on the floor…”, meaning that there is corruption in some areas of the government. “And there are times and places where these services are the most needed...”, meaning that exposing corruption by the media is a necessary service that journalists do.

Roosevelt continues: “The men with the muck rakes are often indispensable to the well being of society”, meaning that journalist that expose corruption cases are necessary to have a transparent government that citizens can be proud of.

The term muckraker, coined by Roosevelt identifies the journalist that exposed and attacked corruption cases in businesses or corrupt leaders.    

Answer 2

The CORRECT answer you are looking for is: C) Writers who expose corruption perform a vital service to America.