advantage of our weakness. Ethical persuasion, however, calls on sound reasoning and is sensitive to the feelings and needs of listeners. Such persuasion can help us apply the wisdom of the past to the decisions we now must make. Therefore, an essential part of education is learning to resist the one kind of persuasion and to encourage and practice the other.

Beyond its personal importance to us, persuasion is essential to society. The right to persuade and be persuaded is the foundation of the American political system, guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution……

—Michael Osborn and Suzanne Osborn, Public Speaking, fifth edition, pp. 361-362

67. What is the main idea of this passage?

A. We live among competing interests.

B. When we persuade, we want to influence others.

C. Persuasion is both good and bad, and it is all around us.

D. Persuasion is essential to society and is built into our government.

68. Which of the following can be inferred in the passage?

A. Persuasion is dangerous to the relationship.

B. Persuasion is difficult to deal with.

C. Persuasion is not always welcomed.

D. Persuasion helps build a harmonious society.