Question

Read the paragraph from The Hot Zone. C. J. knew that if people learned what this virus could do, there would be traffic jams heading out of Reston, with mothers screaming at television cameras, "Where are my children?" When he talked to the Washington Post reporters, he was careful not to discuss the more dramatic aspects of the operation. ("I thought it would not be a good idea to talk about space suits," he explained to me much later.) He was careful not to use scary military terms such as virus amplification, lethal chain of transmission, crash and bleed, or major pucker factor. The author most likely included this paragraph to explain some of the reasons for downplaying the seriousness of the situation. describe the ways in which people overreact whenever danger is suspected. persuade the reader that newspapers always blow things out of proportion. illustrate the idea that scientists frequently have to hide the truth from civilians.

Answer 1

The answer is A. (explain some of the reasons for downplaying the seriousness of the situation)

Answer 2

Answer: The author most likely included this paragraph to explain some of the reasons for downplaying the seriousness of the situation.

The author explains that scientists knew what the virus could do, but they decided not to share it with the public. He says that if the truth became known, there would have been complete chaos, including traffic jams and worried mothers. He most likely includes this information as a way to explain why the situation was not presented accurately.