Question

rice stadium moon speech by president john f. kennedy (excerpt) on september 12, 1962, president john f. kennedy gave a speech at rice university in texas. during this time, the united states and the soviet union (a confederation of communist states that was governed by russia) were engaged in a \space race,\ in which the two super - powers were competing for spaceflight. at the time of the speech, the soviet union appears to have the edge in technology. in his speech, kennedy explains why the united states must lead. (1) those who came before us made certain that this country rode the first waves of the industrial revolutions, the first waves of modern invention, and the first wave of nuclear power, and this generation does not intend to founder in the backwash of the coming age of space. we mean to be a part of it - we mean to lead it. for the eyes of the world now look into space, to the moon and to the planets beyond, and we have vowed that we shall not see it governed by a hostile flag of conquest, but by a banner of freedom and peace. we have vowed that we select the correct answer. what is the central idea of kennedys speech? a. the united states has the technology it needs to get people to the moon. b. it is necessary to continue human exploration of both earth and the moon. c. the united states must ensure it can safely send people to the moon. d. it is very important that the united states be the first country to reach the moon.

Explanation:

Kennedy emphasized the US's need to lead in the space - race, especially reaching the Moon first during the Cold - War space competition with the Soviet Union. The speech is about the importance of being the first to the Moon as a symbol of US leadership and technological prowess.

Answer:

D. It is very important that the United States be the first country to reach the Moon.