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Read this passage from "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut:
The year was 2081, and everybody was finally equal. They
weren't only equal before God and the law. They were equal
every which way. Nobody was smarter than anybody else.
Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody
was stronger or quicker than anybody else. All this equality
was due to the 211th, 212th, and/213th Amendments to
the Constitution, and to the unceasing vigilance of agents
of the United States Handicapper General.
Which statement best describes the overall impact of the setting?
A. The amendments to the Constitution are ironic because the
Constitution is meant to protect people's rights.
B. The emphasis on government-enforced equality suggests that
something is very wrong with society.
OC. The depiction of the Bergerons watching television at home
implies that people
have become isolated from each other
D. The repetition of the word 'Nobody emphasizes that everyone has
the same abilities



Answer :

GinnyAnswer
The best statement that describes the overall impact of the setting in the passage from "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut is: B. The emphasis on government-enforced equality suggests that something is very wrong with society. Here's why: 1. The passage depicts a society where everyone is made equal through extreme measures like handicaps imposed by the government to limit individuals' abilities. This extreme pursuit of equality to the point of suppressing individuality and natural differences suggests a dystopian setting where personal freedoms and uniqueness are sacrificed for a skewed notion of equality. 2. The mention of the United States Handicapper General enforcing equality through amendments to the Constitution implies a heavy-handed government control over its citizens, indicating a society where individual rights may have been eroded in the name of sameness and conformity. 3. The tone of the passage, with its stark portrayal of forced equality, hints at underlying issues within the society that have led to such extreme measures being taken. This emphasis on government-enforced equality serves as a critique of a society where diversity and individuality have been sacrificed for a superficial form of equality. By choosing option B, you acknowledge the negative implications of the setting presented in the passage and recognize the underlying societal issues reflected in the text.

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