The muckraking era between 1900 and World War I saw a new generation o

Question

The muckraking era between 1900 and World War I saw a new generation of reform-minded, watchdog journalists who wielded substantial influence with their investigations of corruption and dangerous working conditions. In an effort to counter this, corporations sought the help of a new industry, public relations.

Among the first and most influential of these agencies was Parker & Lee, founded in 1904 by George Parker and Ivy Ledbetter Lee. Lee had worked for a newspaper in New York and had run a publicity campaign for an unsuccessful presidential candidate. Parker, also a former reporter, had been the press agent for President Grover Cleveland. Together, they developed a number of tactics by which corporations might improve their public image.

During their brief partnership, Lee represented the head of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Following a tragic accident, Lee convinced the railroad to send out a frank press release detailing the incident before reporters could descend upon the scene. During a 1906 coal strike, Lee represented the coal companies and sent newspapers daily releases on the strike and negotiations. He did not believe in covering up but rather in controlling the release of the truth.

After his firm dissolved, Lee went out on his own. One of his most important jobs was as John D. Rockefeller’s publicity counsel following the Ludlow massacre, the death of miners and families killed by local militia during a strike. Lee did much to soften the robber baron’s image, urging him to be photographed handing out coins to indigent children. He worked behind the scenes, altering Rockefeller’s business decisions and corporate policies to improve the company’s overall relationship with the public.

Lee ran into trouble in the early 1930s because of associations with Germany’s I. G. Farben Industries. In 1934 he was called to testify before Congress about providing propaganda for the Nazis through his work for Farben, a charge he denied. He may not have chosen his clients wisely, but there is no question that Lee established a prototype for public relations that is still widely used today from Silicon Valley to Washington, DC.    1 
 1. Which of the following statements most accurately captures the central idea of the passage?

(A) Even the worst offenders in the corporate world can benefit from a sound public relations campaign.
(B) Prior to 1900, corporations in America were losing the image battle to muckraking journalists.
(C) Although he represented mostly American corporations, Ivy Ledbetter Lee was the first PR agent to work abroad as well.
(D) Ivy Ledbetter Lee’s innovations in the world of public relations included the press release and the personal photographer.
(E) Ivy Ledbetter Lee developed modern PR while working for a wide spectrum of agencies and corporations.

2 
 2. The author most likely mentions the Ludlow massacre for what purpose?

(A) To show what can ensue after a bout of bad publicity
(B) To reveal one result of Lee’s campaign for Rockefeller
(C) To establish Rockefeller’s need for a good publicity agent
(D) To remind the reader of the need for muckraking journalism
(E) To offer an example of the dangers of extraction industries

3 
 3. The PR benefit of Rockefeller’s being photographed giving coins to poor children is most similar to that of photographs taken in which of these situations?

(A) A beloved actor signing autographs for fans at Disney World
(B) A candidate for mayor blowing up balloons at a street fair
(C) A disgraced football player visiting a children’s hospital
(D) The Duchess of Cambridge throwing candy to schoolchildren
(E) A computer mogul tossing out the first pitch at a ballgame

4 
 4. According to the passage, it can be inferred that Lee would have been least likely to do which of the following?

(A) Lie about a politician’s involvement with a scandal
(B) Release photographs of a tycoon performing a service
(C) Send out a press release about a client’s hospitalization
(D) Encourage a corporate client to improve working conditions
(E) Talk to a reporter about a problem with a manufacturer’s product

Ruchi007 · Answer

Sajjad1994  How to attempt #1?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

To approach this question, it's important to carefully read and understand the main points and ideas presented in the passage. Here are the key points to consider:

-The muckraking era saw the rise of reform-minded journalists investigating corruption and dangerous working conditions.
-Corporations sought to counter this negative publicity by turning to public relations.
-Parker & Lee, founded by Ivy Ledbetter Lee, was one of the first influential PR agencies.
-Lee developed tactics to improve corporations' public image, including issuing frank press releases and controlling the release of information.
-Lee worked for John D. Rockefeller, helping to improve his image through strategic PR efforts.
-Lee's work established a prototype for modern public relations.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

2. The author most likely mentions the Ludlow massacre for what purpose?

Explanation

The mention of the Ludlow massacre in the passage serves to establish the context and the need for Ivy Ledbetter Lee's services as a public relations agent for John D. Rockefeller. The passage states that Lee worked as Rockefeller's publicity counsel following the massacre, and he played a significant role in improving Rockefeller's public image. By mentioning the Ludlow massacre, the passage highlights the negative publicity and public perception surrounding Rockefeller's company and implies the necessity for a skilled public relations agent like Lee to address and mitigate such issues. Therefore,  option (C)  is the correct answer. Apologies for the initial incorrect explanation.

Answer: C

sarkarsarbani · Answer

Sajjad1994   bb   kevincan   Bunuel 
Hi,
Can someone please explain why the answer to qstn 1 is E and not A?
Also why is the answer to 4 is A and not E?

kevincan · Answer

For question 1 , what would you say is the central idea of the passage (without looking at the answers ) ? The passage is mainly about Lee.

guddo · Answer

1. Which of the following statements most accurately captures the central idea of the passage?

The passage explains how modern public relations emerged as a response to muckraking journalism, then focuses on Ivy Ledbetter Lee’s role in shaping PR methods.  The central point  is that Lee helped create a model of public relations that is still widely used, through his work with major corporate clients and public controversies.

(A) Even the worst offenders in the corporate world can benefit from a sound public relations campaign.

This is too narrow. The passage does show that PR helped figures such as Rockefeller, but the main point is not simply that bad corporate actors can benefit from PR.

(B) Prior to 1900, corporations in America were losing the image battle to muckraking journalists.

This is not the main idea. The passage begins with muckraking journalism, but mainly discusses the rise of public relations and Lee’s role in it.

(C) Although he represented mostly American corporations, Ivy Ledbetter Lee was the first PR agent to work abroad as well.

This is not supported. The passage mentions Lee’s association with I. G. Farben, but it does not say he was the first PR agent to work abroad.

(D) Ivy Ledbetter Lee’s innovations in the world of public relations included the press release and the personal photographer.

This is too specific and not fully supported. The passage mentions a press release and Rockefeller being photographed, but it does not identify “the personal photographer” as one of Lee’s innovations.

(E) Ivy Ledbetter Lee developed modern PR while working for a wide spectrum of agencies and corporations.

This is correct. The passage traces Lee’s work with railroads, coal companies, Rockefeller, and later I. G. Farben, and concludes that he established a prototype for public relations still used today. This best captures the  overall point .

Answer: (E)

guddo · Answer

4. According to the passage, it can be inferred that Lee would have been least likely to do which of the following?

The passage presents Lee as someone who tried to manage public information, but not mainly by hiding or inventing facts.  His approach  was to release the truth in a controlled way, not to  lie outright .

(A) Lie about a politician’s involvement with a scandal

This is correct. Lee “did not believe in covering up but rather in controlling the release of the truth.” So outright lying about a scandal is the action he would be least likely to take.

(B) Release photographs of a tycoon performing a service

This is something Lee actually encouraged. He urged Rockefeller to be photographed handing out coins to poor children.

(C) Send out a press release about a client’s hospitalization

This is plausible. Lee used frank press releases to manage public perception before reporters shaped the story themselves.

(D) Encourage a corporate client to improve working conditions

This is plausible. The passage says Lee worked behind the scenes to alter Rockefeller’s business decisions and corporate policies to improve relations with the public.

(E) Talk to a reporter about a problem with a manufacturer’s product

This is also plausible. Lee believed in controlling the release of truthful information, so speaking to reporters about a problem would fit his general method.

Answer: (A)

The muckraking era between 1900 and World War I saw a new generation o

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The muckraking era between 1900 and World War I saw a new generation o

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