This passage is excerpted from President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address, given in 1961.

The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans—born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world. To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom—and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside. To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required—not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich. Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction. So let us begin anew—remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always.

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A central theme of the passage is that...

O those nations that dedicate themselves to democracy will receive aid and support from the United States.

O cooperation among all nations is necessary to protect the future of humanity.

O the Founding Fathers of the United States would be proud of the country's progress over the last century.

O the United states should dedicate more resources to fighting tyranny around the world.


Kennedy's reference to "our forebears" (line 4) serves mainly to

O call into question the relevance of struggles faced by people under colonial rule.

O inspire a rebellion similar to that proposed by the American revolutionaries.

O connect contemporary struggles for freedom with the American colonists' fight for independence.

O highlight the importance of the next generation of Americans in the fight for freedom.


Kennedy indicates that the ability to monitor weapons should be

O given exclusively to the government of the United States.

O shared by the leaders of all nations.

O designated to a small group of international leaders.

O adopted by a newly created independent body.


Over the course of the passage, the main focus shifts from

O a description of the history of the United States to a proposal for improving the lives of its citizens.

O a commitment to helping allies of the United States to a call for better cooperation among opposing nations.

O an argument for improving the lives of people around the world to a recognition of that argument's weaknesses.

O an explanation of the foreign policies of the United States to an example illustrating these policies.


Which choice best summarizes Kennedy's perspective on scientific progress?

O The advancement of science should be a central priority for the United States.

O Scientific knowledge will inevitable improve the lives of people on this planet.

O Science has the potential to both improve and harm humanity.

O Investment in the sciences will enable humans to better understand how the universe works.