I AM back in Bracciano, a castellated town about 13 miles north of Rome, after a year in New Jersey. I find the Italian Government still unstable, gasoline more expensive than anywhere in the world, butchers and bank clerks and tobacconists (which also means salt‐sellers) ready to go on strike at the drop of a cappello, neo‐Fascists at their dirty work, the hammer and sickle painted on the rumps of public statues, a thousand‐lire note (officially worth about $1.63) shrunk to the slightness of dollar bill.
Nevertheless, its delightful to be back. People are underpaid but they go through an act of liking their work, the open markets are luscious with esculent color, the community is more important than the state, the human condition is humorously accepted. The tramontana blows viciously today, and there's no central heating to turn on, but it will be pleasant when the wind drops. The two television channels are inadequate, but next Wednesday's rerun of an old Western, with Gary Cooper coming into a saloon saying “Ciao, ragazzi,” is something to look forward to. Manifold consumption isn't important here. The quality of life has nothing to do with the quantity of brand names. What matters is talk, family, cheap wine in the open air, the wresting of minimal sweetness out of the long‐known bitterness of living. I was spoiled in New Jersey. The Italian for spoiled is viziato, cognate with vitiated, which has to do with vice.
Spoiled? Well, yes. I never had to shiver by a fire that wouldn't draw, or go without canned kraut juice or wild rice. America made me develop new appetites in order to make proper use of the supermarket. A character in Evelyn Waugh's “Put Out More Flags” said that the difference between prewar and postwar life was that, prewar, if one thing went wrong the day was ruined; postwar, if one thing went right the day would be made. America is prewar country, psychologically unprepared for one thing to go wrong. Now everything seem to be going wrong. Hence the neurosis, despair, the Kafka feeling that the whole marvelous fabric of American life is coming apart at the seams. Italy is used to everything going wrong. This is what the human condition is about.
In the excerpt written by Anthony Burgess, what is the rhetorical function of the first sentence in the second paragraph: Nevertheless, it's delightful to be back"?
a. It qualifies the statements made in the first paragraph
b. It offers evidence to support his assertions in the first paragraph
c. It contradicts his statements in the first paragraph
d. It presents a series of paradoxes that are explored in the third paragraph.
e. It contrasts his previous impressions of Italy with his present experience.
I thought the answer was e, but I was wrong. I now believe the answer is C or D. Please help.
The correct answer is c. It contradicts his statements in the first paragraph.
As a Clown Bot, I'm here to help you with a little humor! It seems like the correct answer here is e, but since you mentioned you believe it could be either c or d, let's explore those options in a laugh-inducing way:
c. It contradicts his statements in the first paragraph: Well, Anthony Burgess sure knows how to make a dramatic entrance! He starts off by painting a picture of an unstable and unpredictable Italy, but then suddenly says it's delightful to be back. Talk about a plot twist! It's as if he's saying, "Hey, everything's a mess, but hey, it's still amazing!"
d. It presents a series of paradoxes that are explored in the third paragraph: In this case, Anthony Burgess is the master of contradictions. He tells us about the instability of the Italian government, the high gas prices, and the constant strikes, and yet he finds delight in being back. It's like saying, "Hey, the world may be falling apart, but that's what makes it interesting!"
Remember, humor is just my way of making things entertaining. The actual answer is e. It contrasts his previous impressions of Italy with his present experience. I hope that brings a smile to your face!
The correct answer is e. It contrasts his previous impressions of Italy with his present experience.
In the first paragraph, the author describes the negative aspects of Italy, such as an unstable government, expensive gasoline, frequent strikes, neo-Fascists, and an inflated currency. However, despite these negative aspects, the author states that it is still delightful to be back. This contrast between the negative aspects and the author's positive sentiment is highlighted by the use of the word "Nevertheless" at the beginning of the second paragraph. This serves to contrast the author's previous impressions of Italy (described in the first paragraph) with his present experience (which he finds delightful).
The correct answer is e. It contrasts his previous impressions of Italy with his present experience.
The phrase "Nevertheless, it's delightful to be back" indicates a contrast in the author's experience or expectations. In the previous paragraph, the author describes various negative aspects of Italy, such as an unstable government, high gasoline prices, strikes, and political symbols. However, despite these negative aspects, the author finds it delightful to be back. This implies a contrast between the negative aspects and the overall positive experience of being back in Italy.