Read the following sentence and then select the correct word to go in the blank: you must understand the of this serious situation. fidelity confidant empathy gravity

You must understand the gravity of this serious situation.

Gravity means extreme or alarming importance of something. One of its synonyms is 'seriousness'.

The others words don't fit in the sentence because empathy refers to the ability to understand and share the feelings of another; fidelity, as one of its meaning, is the accuracy of details; and confidant refers to a person or character to whom secrets, or intimate aspects, are entrusted.

d.) then bernice winced as marjorie tossed her own hair over her shoulders and began to twist it slowly into two long blond braids until in her cream-colored negligée she looked like a delicate painting of some saxon princess. fascinated, bernice watched the braids grow. heavy and luxurious they were, moving under the supple fingers like restive snakes—and to bernice remained this relic and the curling iron and a to-morrow full of eyes.

the price of our current war is high; it costs money and it costs lives.

but it does not cost our pride. it does not cost the guilt that would arise from knowing that we did nothing to intervene while our neighboring nations fell to despotic leaders.

it does not cost the terror of knowing that our allies are unstable. it does not cost the fear that we, too, will be next to fall.

which sentence most accurately explains why the speaker's use of the parallel structure is effective in this passage?

a. it underscores that disagreement will not be tolerated and will be dealt with swiftly.

b. it makes the speaker seem like a decisive and capable leader.

c. it emphasizes reasons to fight and inspires listeners to aid the war effort.

d. it establishes the speaker's credibility by acknowledging the difficulties of war.