Read the excerpt from John F. Kennedy's inaugural
address.
Now the trumpet summons us again--not as a call to
bear arms, though arms we need-not as a call to battle,
though embattled we are-but a call to bear the burden
of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing
in hope, patient in tribulation"-a struggle against the
common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and
war itself.
Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global
alliance, North and South, East and West, that can
assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in
that historic effort?
In the long history of the world, only a few generations
have been granted the role of defending freedom in its
hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this
responsibility-I welcome it. I do not believe that any of
us would exchanne places with any other neonle or any
Which statement best explains Kennedy's message in
this excerpt?
American citizens must be prepared for war.
The United States is prepared to protect freedom.
The United States is the greatest country in the world.
American citizens have a history of protecting
democracy.

In the excerpt from John F. Kennedy's inaugural address, the message conveyed is that the United States is ready and willing to take on the responsibility of defending freedom against common enemies such as tyranny, poverty, disease, and war. Kennedy emphasizes the need for a united effort, calling for a grand alliance that transcends boundaries - North and South, East and West - to ensure a better life for all mankind. 1. The statement that best explains Kennedy's message in this excerpt is: The United States is prepared to protect freedom. Explanation: Kennedy's words express a commitment to the defense of freedom and a willingness to engage in a long struggle against common enemies. He speaks of shouldering the burden of this struggle with hope and patience, highlighting the importance of a global alliance to combat shared challenges. By stating that only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger, Kennedy signals the gravity of the situation and the readiness of the United States to take on this crucial task. 2. Another accurate interpretation could be: American citizens have a history of protecting democracy. Explanation: Through his call for unity and action against common enemies, Kennedy appeals to the shared values of democracy and freedom that have been central to American history. He invites the citizens to join in the historic effort of defending these principles, acknowledging the legacy of past generations who have fought to safeguard democracy. This interpretation underscores the historical context and the tradition of upholding democratic ideals that Kennedy seeks to uphold in his address.