Question

the spread of the new consumer culture was also helped by the huge growth of the advertising industry. magazines, radio, and hollywood were all used to sell the new, modern consumer goods. the new middle-class consumers wanted to own the same products as the wealthy. department stores, which sold a variety of goods, became popular. chain stores, like woolworths, were also popular. many people now had the money to buy these new products.
radio also led to a boom in advertising. advertisers used radio to reach a wide audience. they promoted the new kitchen gadgets, refrigerators, and washing machines. advertisements made these new products seem necessary for a good life. cars, especially, made up the biggest part of the new economy. by 1929, there was one car on the road for every five americans.
according to the passage, which of these was essential to the growth of consumer culture?
choose one option:
a the television was invented.
b radios became a household item.
c cars allowed people to travel more.
d telephones became obsolete.

Explanation:

The passage states that radio led to success in advertising, and factories used mass production to make consumer goods like cars, refrigerators, and washing machines, which became new necessities for growth. It specifically notes cars made up the biggest part of this growth, with one car on the road for every five Americans. Option A (TV invention) is not mentioned, Option B (radio as household item) is not framed as essential for national culture growth, and Option D (telephones obsolete) is not stated. Only Option C aligns with the text's link between cars and growth.

Answer:

C. Cars allowed people to travel more.