Writers/journalists who exposed social problems?

• A. Progressive
• B. Urbanization
• C. Muckraker
• D. Organized Labor

Answer: (C)

Muckraking journalism focuses on investigative reporting by writers who exposed social problems in the United States during the Progressive Era. These journalists dug into corruption, unsafe working and living conditions, monopolistic trusts, and other social ills, publishing detailed exposés in popular magazines like McClure’s and Collier’s. Their work raised public awareness and helped spur reform movements and legislation, such as efforts to regulate food safety and break up trusts. Notable examples include Ida Tarbell’s investigation of Standard Oil, Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle on the meatpacking industry, and Lincoln Steffens’ reports on political corruption in cities. Because the prompt points to writers and journalists who exposed social problems, muckraker is the most accurate label. The other terms refer to broader movements or processes, not to the specific practice of investigative journalism that aimed to reveal social ills.