Question

Read the excerpt from an editorial.


State lawmakers are considering overturning a law that forbids the sale of lottery tickets on Sundays. Proponents of the bill claim that the reason for the potential change is a result of consumer demand. These "state leaders” clearly have no concept of how to maintain family values. Playing the lottery is just as despicable as gambling in a casino and should be outlawed altogether.


Which detail reveals the writer’s purpose?


Using first-person pronouns shows that the writer has strong opinions against the lottery.

Placing “state leaders” in quotation marks indicates that the writer is mocking the lawmakers.

Stating the reason for the bill highlights the writer’s anger over the potential change.

Comparing the lottery to gambling establishes factual evidence to back the writer’s opinion.

Answer 1

Placing “state leaders” in quotation marks indicates that the writer is mocking the lawmakers.

By placing "state leaders" in quotation marks, the speaker is indicating his/her displeasure with the decision to consider overturning the law that forbids the sale of lottery tickets on Sundays. The other options do not work as a correct answer. First, in option A, there are no first person pronouns. Option C states that giving the reason behind the bill shows the speaker's anger - it does not. It merely gives additional information as to why they would overturn the bill. The comparison of the lottery to gambling is not factual evidence.

Answer 2

B) Placing “state leaders” in quotation marks indicates that the writer is mocking the lawmakers.