Question

first read: concept vocabulary identify the choice that best answers the question. in which situation has one group most clearly oppressed another? base your answer on the meaning of oppressed. a. last year, the farmers gave half of their crops to the soldiers to ensure that the soldiers would protect them from possible invaders. b. last year, the farmers gave half of their crops to the banks in neighboring villages to pay off their bank loans. c. last year, the farmers had to give half of their crops to the soldiers to prevent the soldiers from burning their fields. d. last year, the farmers gave half of their crops to the neediest people in neighboring villages.

Explanation:

To determine which situation shows oppression (one group oppressing another), we analyze each option:

• Option A: Farmers give crops to soldiers for protection from invaders. This is a mutual or protective exchange, not oppression.
• Option B: Farmers give crops to banks to pay off loans. This is a financial transaction to settle debt, not oppression.
• Option C: Farmers give crops to soldiers to prevent soldiers from burning their fields. The soldiers are using the threat of burning fields to force the farmers to give crops, which is a form of oppression (one group using force/threat to exploit another).
• Option D: Farmers give crops to the neediest people. This is an act of charity, not oppression.

Answer:

C. Last year, the farmers had to give half of their crops to the soldiers to prevent the soldiers from burning their fields.