Read these passages from When Birds Get Flu and Cows Go Mad! by John DiConsiglio. "Spanish Flu Mystery May Be Solved!" Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the CDC, told the British Broadcasting Company (BBC), "By unmasking the 1918 virus, we are revealing some of the secrets that will help us prepare for the next pandemic." "Fear of Food?" Don’t worry about mad cow disease. But pay attention to E. coli. We want you to enjoy your food. Really, we do. But there could be some nasty bacteria lurking in that burger. Or in that salad. . . . Here’s how you can protect yourself from it. What is the most likely reason why the author includes these passages?
A) to connect the various sections with humor
B) to add some positive notes to the serious overall tone
C) to emphasize the difficulty in dealing with these viruses
D) to cause the reader to be concerned about diseases

Read the passage from chapter 2 of animal farm. three nights later old major died peacefully in his sleep. his body was buried at the foot of the orchard. this was early in march. during the next three months there was much secret activity. major's speech had given to the more intelligent animals on the farm a completely new outlook on life. they did not know when the rebellion predicted by major would take place, they had no reason for thinking that it would be within their own lifetime, but they saw clearly that it was their duty to prepare for it. the work of teaching and organizing the others fell naturally upon the pigs, who were generally recognized as being the cleverest of the animals. pre-eminent among the pigs were two young boars named snowball and napoleon, whom mr. jones was breeding up for sale. which detail from the passage best supports the idea that the farm is a symbol for russia and the events surrounding the russian revolution? “three nights later old major died peacefully in his sleep. his body was buried at the foot of the orchard.” “major's speech had given to the more intelligent animals on the farm a completely new outlook on life.” “they did not know when the rebellion predicted by major would take place, they had no reason for thinking that it would be within their own lifetime . .” “pre-eminent among the pigs were two young boars named snowball and napoleon, whom mr. jones was breeding up for sale.”

Me ! select the correct answer. in his essay "civil disobedience," henry david thoreau wrote "that government is best which governs least." which answer best shows how this motto reflects transcendentalist principles? a. an ideal government does not exist, so anarchy is best for a nation. b. citizens require the government to define the difference between right and wrong. c. government can act as an impediment to the will and morality of individual men. d. an ideal nation is one that is not governed by a monarchy or dictatorship. e. government on a large scale is inefficient and should be managed at the state level.

Read the passage from an argumentative essay. many endangered species are currently threatened by climate change. there are some laws already in place, but are they effective enough? anyone with a conscience knows that these creatures deserve the chance to survive without outside threats impeding their survival. i suppose this is a tough decision for lawmakers, but i hope they choose wisely. which statement best evaluates the claim in the passage?