During World War II, the U.S. system of rationing did not work as planned not only because it conflicted with personal needs and wants (which had grown during the previous years of deprivation because of the Great Depression and its aftermath), but because it went against the national character of the American people. This was a nation based on the principle that as long as you have money to spend, nothing is off limits. By limiting each individual's purchasing power, the government had imposed a new economic system that attacked this principle. The emergence of the illegal black market, on the other hand, supported this basic principle of acquisition, or consumerism, for Americans. This is not to deny that many who ran or even patronized the black market were actually motivated by greed, but it does suggest that the individualistic (and frontier) spirit of Americans had not been lost.

Select the statement that restates the premise of the author's argument.

A. Normally law-abiding citizens will break the law to satisfy what they consider to be their basic needs and wants.
B. Americans during World War II acted unlawfully due to circumstances out of their control.
C. The American system of rationing did not work because Americans circumvented its principles through the practice of the black market.
D. As long as Americans have enough money to spend, they will spend it however they can.
E. If the Great Depression had not deprived so many Americans of basic needs and wants, they would not have patronized the black market during World War II.



Consider all that apply

Which of the following, if it were true, would weaken the author's argument?

A. During the Great Depression, many Americans found ways to circumvent the law in order to provide for their families.
B. The majority of American citizens are law abiding and will not break the law under any circumstances.
C. Many Americans continued to patronize the black market after rationing ended.