Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question.
Passage:
Title: "The Dystopian Dilemma"
In the realm of speculative fiction, dystopian worlds serve as cautionary tales, presenting societies marked by oppression, despair, and the erosion of individual freedoms. These imagined futures, while captivating in their creativity, cast a foreboding shadow on the potential consequences of unchecked power and societal decay.
In the dystopian novel "Citizens of Desolation," the author paints a grim picture of a society governed by a totalitarian regime. Citizens live in a state of perpetual surveillance, their every move monitored, and dissent ruthlessly suppressed. The glimmers of hope that once existed have been extinguished, replaced by a pervasive sense of resignation.
Similarly, in the short story "The Last Sanctuary," the author envisions a world ravaged by environmental degradation and resource depletion. The remnants of civilization eke out a bleak existence amidst the desolation, their plight a stark reminder of the consequences of heedless exploitation.
While these narratives are works of fiction, they serve as potent reminders of the dangers of complacency and the need for vigilance in safeguarding the values that underpin a just and free society.
What lesson can be drawn from the dystopian narratives mentioned in the passage?
The inevitability of societal progress
The importance of vigilance in safeguarding core values in a just and free society
The effectiveness of unchecked power in maintaining order
The celebration of boundless individual freedoms
The passage suggests that one lesson drawn from dystopian narratives is the importance of vigilance in safeguarding core values in a just and free society.