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Practice Listening: Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers ID: #38092 Long Islamophobia
Instructions ›
Listen to the recording and answer the question by selecting all the correct responses. You will need to select more than one response.
We often are so sure of what it is that we know. We are so certain that things we believe are correct; and every generation, in the history of every generation, is that it finds things at the prior generation believed with certainty that end up being repudiated, being denounced, being viewed as error; and so, I don't trust myself as a human being. I don't have the hubris necessary to say that there are certain views that I hold that I'm so confident in that I want it to be illegal to question them or disagree with them. I don't have that belief in myself or in anybody else that we have that ability. I think it's always better to allow ideas to get aired and debated and discussed. And then finally, I think the most important part about why I can't get on board with this idea that we should be restricting ideas is because it would be nice. It really would be nice, if we could write a law that would make racism disappear like you can write a law saying racism is no longer able or legal to express or Islamophobia or homophobia. But that doesn't happen. You don't get rid of ideas by banning them. In fact, often what times happens is the opposite. Those ideas become stronger because it seems like society fears them. The people who express them start to become martyrs, and you actually end up strengthening those groups by making them victims of censorship. And so, I just think it's more practically wise, and I think on principle it makes more sense.

According to the speaker, what are the reasons the author is against the idea of restricting or banning certain ideas or viewpoints?

* Click on the correct answers

Result:

AI explanationShows the answer. Tap to open.
Option 1: "The author believes that every generation denounces some of the ideas held by the previous generation."

Explanation: The text states that every generation finds ideas from the prior generation that were once believed with certainty but are later repudiated. This reflects the author's belief in the evolving nature of ideas and the importance of questioning them.

Option 2: "The author thinks that banning ideas may actually strengthen those ideas."

Explanation: The author argues that banning ideas can lead to them becoming stronger, as society's fear of those ideas can create martyrs out of those who express them. This highlights the author's view that censorship can backfire.

Option 3: "The author does not trust their own or anyone else's ability to decide which ideas should be restricted."

Explanation: The author expresses a lack of confidence in their own ability, or anyone else's, to determine which ideas should be restricted. This skepticism underlines the author's argument against censorship.

Option 4: "The author believes that writing a law against racism will make it disappear instantly."

Explanation: This option misrepresents the author's view. The author states that writing a law against racism would be nice, but acknowledges that laws do not eliminate ideas. Thus, this statement is an oversimplification and does not reflect the author's nuanced perspective.

Option 5: "The author supports the idea of censoring political viewpoints."

Explanation: The author explicitly argues against censorship and believes that the state should not restrict political viewpoints. This option contradicts the main argument presented in the text.

Option 6: "The author believes in airing, debating, and discussing ideas."

Explanation: While the author does advocate for airing and discussing ideas, this option is incorrect in the context of the question, which asks for reasons against restricting ideas. The focus here is on the opposition to censorship rather than support for discussion.

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