Public Hearings Are Being Held to Discuss If a New

Multiple Choice

Public hearings are being held to discuss if a new nuclear power plant should be built. An expert on nuclear plants testifies that modern safeguards make the plant secure from dangerous accidents. A local woman speaks and states that she knows nothing about nuclear power, but the idea of having a plant close frightens her and her children. Which of the two parties has the most immediate ability to change attitudes of the audience? What will happen over time?

A) Because the local woman is most like the other people in the meeting, her opinion will have the most immediate influence, but over time the expert's opinion will gain in force.
B) Because the woman is not an expert, she will never have the ability to change attitudes.
C) The expert will have the most ability to change attitudes and his influence will be maintained even weeks later.
D) The woman's opinion will be more likely to influence the audience initially, and her influence will extend into the future.
E) The expert will have the most ability to change attitudes, but his influence will decrease over time as the woman's argument gains in force.