Question

1. read the text below, and answer the question that follows. i know some say, let us have good laws, and no matter for the men that execute them; but let them consider, that though good laws do well, good men do better; for good laws may want good men, and be abolished or evaded invaded in franklin’s print by ill men; but good men will never want good laws, nor suffer ill ones. it is true, good laws have some awe upon ministers, but that is where they have not power, good constitution, must keep it, viz. men of wisdom and virtue, qualities, that because they descend not with worldly inheritances, must be carefully propagated by a virtuous education of youth; for which after ages will owe more to the care and prudence of founders, and the successive magistracy, than to their parents, for their private patrimonies. what is the author’s purpose in this text? to show that government is the solution to all problems to show that the oldest forms of government on earth are the best patterns to follow to show that no government will ever succeed completely to show that a society must raise a populace who will be good people in order to allow society to run smoothly

Explanation:

The text discusses the need for good laws and virtuous education of youth to maintain a good constitution, implying that a society needs good people (raised via virtuous education) for smooth functioning. Let's analyze the options:

• Option 1: The text doesn't claim government is the solution to all problems. It emphasizes good laws and good people. Eliminate.
• Option 2: The text doesn't focus on the oldest forms of government being best. Eliminate.
• Option 3: The text doesn't say no government will succeed completely. It talks about the need for good laws and good people. Eliminate.
• Option 4: The text states that good laws need good men, and that love for laws and good administration (which requires good people) must be propagated via virtuous education of youth. This aligns with the idea that a society must raise a populace of good people for smooth running.

Answer:

D. To show that a society must raise a populace who will be good people in order to allow society to run smoothly (assuming the last option is D; if the options are labeled differently, adjust the label but the text is as above)