Question

re - read the following passage from paragraph 1:
\i came across your recent statement calling my present activities unwise and untimely. seldom do i pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas. if i sought to answer all the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would have little time for anything other than such correspondence in the course of the day, and i would have no time for constructive work.\
what is the purpose of this passage?

• to demonstrate that king is afraid of critisim
• to minimize the importantace of the clergymens critisim
• to convey kings dislike for the clergymens statement
• to illustrate how busy king is at this time

Explanation:

• Option 1: The passage says King "seldom" answers criticism, not that he is afraid of it. Eliminate.
• Option 2: King explains he doesn't answer most criticisms (including the clergymen's) because it would take too much time from constructive work, downplaying the importance of responding to this criticism. This fits.
• Option 3: The passage focuses on why he doesn't answer criticism (time constraints), not on disliking the statement. Eliminate.
• Option 4: The mention of busyness is to explain why he doesn't answer criticism, not to show how busy he is. Eliminate.

Answer:

B. To minimize the importance of the clergymen’s criticism