GED Question of the Day

Answer

1. Standard Oil is depicted as an entity undermining democracy and the free market.

John D. Rockefeller established Standard Oil, and it grew to become one of the most valuable corporations in world history due to its monopolistic control of nearly the entire American oil industry. The political cartoon uses an octopus’ tentacles to symbolize the far-reaching influence of Standard Oil, including political corruption and disruption of the free market. While the cartoonist likely believes Standard Oil harmed the working classes, this cartoon shows Standard Oil crushing political institutions and businessmen. Therefore, Choice B is incorrect. Standard Oil was one of the world’s first multinational corporations, but the cartoon doesn’t address its effect on global institutions and markets. So, Choice C is incorrect. Compared to how the octopus is strangling the United States Capitol on the left side of the cartoon, the cartoon portrays it as merely reaching toward the White House, which is why the cartoon was entitled “Next!” Therefore, Choice D is incorrect.