Why can it be so difficult to learn a second language as an adult?
a. the attention span of infants and children is better geared toward learning a language.
b. adults have lost the ability to discriminate between phonemes that are not used in their native language.
c. adults are unable to form new connections in the language regions of the brain.
d. all of the above.

A. The attention span of infants and children is better geared toward learning a language

Explanation:

Researchers believe that there is decline in learning language ability starts decreasing after the age of 18. Without knowing the cause they assume that it has something related with the fact that the learning ability of brain and its adaptability  is less in adults.

in which scenario might one be asked to take minute meetings?

answer: b. a student attending an orientation

often a noun phrase is just a noun or a pronoun:

people like to have money.

i am tired.

it is getting late.