What type of discrimination can lead to legal violations under the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

The correct choice highlights the broad scope of protected categories under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This landmark legislation prohibits discrimination on several grounds, including age, sex, marital status, race, religion, handicap, and national origin. By encompassing a wide range of characteristics, the Act aims to promote equality and protect individuals from unjust treatment in various contexts, particularly in employment and access to public accommodations.

Understanding this helps to emphasize the law's intent to create an inclusive environment by ensuring that no individual faces discrimination based on these specified traits. Each of these categories represents significant aspects of identity that should not influence one’s rights or opportunities in society, particularly in the workplace.

In contrast, the other choices reflect narrower interpretations or conditions that do not capture the full extent of the law's protections. For instance, focusing solely on race or only discriminatory actions that affect employees directly is incomplete, as the law clearly acknowledges multiple forms of discrimination that can arise.