Question

next, pick the most accurate theme statement from multiple choice options below.
a. when faced with strangers in need, most people will help however they can.
b. people fear helping those in need will put themselves in danger.
c. people are often unwilling to take personal responsibility for helping those in need.
d. it is best to leave helping those less fortunate in the hands of the government.
circle or highlight the quote below that best supports your chosen theme.
\three hours later there was no sign of any of the aliens, the wretched or the beautiful, except for a few blackened patches of grass and wisps of smoke that curled and died. all was well\ (yu 7).
\they could go back to their star system. their own government could care for them. we could loan them a rocket or two, if they liked. we could be generous\ (yu 5)
\most of us averted our eyes from that picture of unmitigated misery .... this was no longer our problem; it belonged to our governors, our senators, our heads of state. surely they and their moneyed friends would assist these wretched creatures\ (yu 4)

Explanation:

Part 1: Choosing the Theme Statement

To determine the most accurate theme statement, we analyze each option:

• Option a suggests most people help strangers, but the quotes imply avoidance of responsibility, so a is incorrect.
• Option b focuses on fear of danger, but the quotes don't mention danger; they focus on shifting responsibility, so b is incorrect.
• Option c says people are unwilling to take personal responsibility for helping those in need. The quotes show people averting eyes and leaving help to the government, aligning with this.
• Option d says it's best to leave help to the government, but the theme is about people's unwillingness to take personal responsibility (not that it's "best" for the government to do it), so d is incorrect.

We need a quote that supports the theme (people avoid personal responsibility for helping).

• The first quote is about the aliens being gone, not about helping responsibility.
• The second quote talks about being generous (lending rockets) but doesn't show avoidance of personal responsibility.
• The third quote: "Most of us averted our eyes... This was no longer our problem; it belonged to our governors..." shows people avoiding personal responsibility by leaving help to the government, which supports option c.

Answer:

c. People are often unwilling to take personal responsibility for helping those in need.

Part 2: Choosing the Supporting Quote