Question

In a 1906 speech, Theodore Roosevelt described a man with a muckrake who "fixes his eyes . . . only on that which is vile and debasing." His speech gave rise to the new word muckrakers, referring to ________.

• A. Farmers in lowland areas
• B. Trial lawyers
• C. Religious leaders
• D. Judges in criminal courts
• E. Investigative journalists

Answer 1

The correct option is E Investigative journalists

Theodore Roosevelt gave rise to the new word muckrakers, referring to investigative journalists who wrote about corruption in business and politics hoping to bring about reform. Roosevelt was coining a metaphor comparing the literal muck in the stables with the figurative muck that journalists uncovered when they investigated scandals.