The sentence aims to contrast modern media with the ideal of "civilized debate." Let's break down the options to see if they achieve this task:
A) Yes, because it suggests that controversial matters are ignored in modern media.
- This option does not directly address the contrast between modern media and "civilized debate." Ignoring controversial matters is not necessarily the same as contrasting with the ideal of "civilized debate."
B) Yes, because it refers to relatively unsophisticated modes of conversation.
- This option is more aligned with the contrast intended by the author. Relatively unsophisticated modes of conversation in modern media can contrast with the notion of "civilized debate."
C) No, because it focuses on entertainment rather than any examination of issues.
- While this option points out a different aspect of modern media, focusing on entertainment, it does not directly address the contrast between modern media and the ideal of "civilized debate."
D) No, because it refers to hypothetical situations rather than real ones.
- This option does not address the task of contrasting modern media with the ideal of "civilized debate." Referring to hypothetical situations does not necessarily capture this intended contrast.
In summary, option B is the closest to accomplishing the task of contrasting modern media with the ideal of "civilized debate" as it highlights relatively unsophisticated modes of conversation in contrast to the concept of a civilized debate.
