Question

cast it down in agriculture, mechanics, in commerce, in domestic service, and in the professions. and in this connection it is well to bear in mind that whatever other sins the south may be called to bear, when it comes to business, pure and simple, it is in the south that the negro is given a mans chance in the commercial world, and in nothing is this exposition more eloquent than in emphasizing this chance.
—up from slavery,
booker t. washington
which sentence best restates the author’s claim in this excerpt?
○ industry in the south will provide black people with opportunities for success.
○ the effects of slavery have made equality impossible for black citizens in the south.
○ the exposition is geared toward intellectual pursuits more than commercial pursuits.
○ agriculture, mechanics, commerce, and domestic service are important industries.

Explanation:

1. Analyze Option 1: The excerpt says the Negro (Black people) gets a man’s chance in the commercial world in the South, across fields like agriculture, mechanics, etc. This matches "Industry in the South will provide Black people with opportunities for success."
2. Analyze Option 2: The excerpt emphasizes a chance in business, not that slavery made equality impossible. Eliminate.
3. Analyze Option 3: The excerpt says the Exposition emphasizes the commercial chance, not that it’s geared toward intellectual pursuits. Eliminate.
4. Analyze Option 4: The excerpt is about Black people’s opportunities in these industries in the South, not just stating the industries are important. Eliminate.

Answer:

A. Industry in the South will provide Black people with opportunities for success.