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Question
(1) The overwhelming majority of our people have met the demands of this war with magnificent courage and understanding. They have accepted inconveniences; they have accepted hardships; they have accepted tragic sacrifices. And they are ready and eager to make whatever further contributions are needed to win the war as quickly as possible-if only they are given the chance to know what is required of them.
(2) However, while the majority goes on about its great work without complaint, a noisy minority maintains an uproar of demands for special favors for special groups. There are pests who swarm through the lobbies of the Congress and the cocktail bars of Washington, representing these special groups as opposed to the basic interests of the Nation as a whole. They have come to look upon the war primarily as a chance to make profits for themselves at the expense of their neighbors — profits in money or in terms of political or social preferment.
(3) Such selfish agitation can be highly dangerous in wartime. It creates confusion. It damages morale. It hampers our national effort. It muddies the waters and therefore prolongs the war.
Which BEST explains how mechanics and grammar in paragraph 3 contribute to the effectiveness of the speaker’s argument?
Responses
A The five declarative sentences provide blend hyperbole and symbolism to strengthen the speaker's argument.The five declarative sentences provide blend hyperbole and symbolism to strengthen the speaker's argument.
B The sentence pattern of subject/verb/direct object is repeated to suggest the need to acknowledge counterarguments.The sentence pattern of subject/verb/direct object is repeated to suggest the need to acknowledge counterarguments.
C The inclusion of signal words sharpens the speaker's message and reveals his intentions in an interesting and precise manner.The inclusion of signal words sharpens the speaker's message and reveals his intentions in an interesting and precise manner.
D The first declarative sentence is followed by four declarative sentences providing concise examples of support for the first sentence.The first declarative sentence is followed by four declarative sentences providing concise examples of support for the first sentence.
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D. The first declarative sentence is followed by four declarative sentences providing concise examples of support for the first sentence.
Explanation:
Paragraph 3 starts with a declarative sentence stating that "selfish agitation can be highly dangerous in wartime." This is the main idea of the paragraph. The following four declarative sentences give specific reasons to support this claim, explaining how selfish agitation creates negative consequences such as confusion, morale damage, hindrance to the national effort, and prolongation of the war. This structure effectively emphasizes the main argument by providing a clear statement followed by a series of concise examples that illustrate the point being made, thus reinforcing the speaker's argument against the actions of the "noisy minority."