Read this brief paragraph and answer the question below. 1 In our modern world, advertising plays a major role in our daily lives: it influences the decisions we make about our clothing, our food, and our cars. 2Many shoppers insist on expensive name brand clothing, even if the quality is not better than the bargain priced items. 3Because of advertising, children as young as two years old recognize and sing along with fast food melodies and beg parents for a particular brand of sweetened cereal. 4Studies show that both men and women are greatly influenced by prime time commercials featuring automobiles.

Note: A thesis statement is one to two sentences in the introduction of an essay that the writer uses to “set the stage” for the reader. The thesis statement provides the focus for the writing that follows and lets the reader know what the essay is going to be about.

In this paragraph, which sentence states the thesis?

1. In our modern world, advertising plays a major role in our daily lives: it influences the decisions we make about our clothing, our food, and our cars.

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.