Question

body modification

(1) the number of adults with tattoos in the united states has been steadily increasing. (2) this is due to americans’ changing social attitudes, which make the practice more present in the 21st century than it was in more traditional generations. (3) among one group of indigenous new zealand people, tattoos have never been much of taboo issue. (4) the native maori of that country have had a long tradition of inking their skin, producing intricate marks on their faces that might be unnerving to the uninitiated. (5) the maori have a special, ritualistic war dance they sometimes perform as one of their customs. (6) the technique of creating these marks, called ta moko, was used as a method of distinguishing honored members of the islanders’ society. (7) european explorer captain james cook wrote about his observations of these tattoos in the late 18th century. (8) he noted in his logs that the tattoos he encountered among the maori people were unique to each person – no two were alike.

(9) the maori people have a fascinating culture. (10) many groups of people in africa and asia were renowned for piercing or tattooing different parts of their bodies when the tribe members reach a certain age. (11) different tattooed things on different parts of the body have different meanings. (12) in certain african tribes, women get nose piercings to symbolize that they are married. (13) piercings are not the only form of body modification in africa. (14) in a section of ethiopia, men scar their bodies to indicate that they have battled an enemy and won. (15) some african tribespeople get earlobe extensions or decorate their body with beads.

(16) overall, tattoos and piercings are not unique to the western world. (17) in fact, members of the western world adopted many of these traditions when they encountered other tribes. (18) in thailand, certain monks get tattoos of animals to represent that animal protecting them. (19) some of the markings represent achievement or maturity. (20) in a similar way, people who wear tattoos in the western world may use their piercings or tattoos to indicate a certain accomplishment.

1. which sentence could best follow and support sentence 2?

a) many tattoos are done in black and white because these are cheaper than color tattoos.

b) a recent poll found that about 1 out of every 5 adults now has a tattoo.

c) tattoos are more common among people from younger generations than they are in people who are older.

d) because many jobs still discriminate over the presence of tattoos, many people cover theirs with clothing.

Explanation:

Sentence 2 states that the increase in adults with tattoos in the US is due to changing social attitudes making the practice more present in the 21st century than in traditional generations. We need a sentence that supports this by showing the generational difference.

• Option a talks about tattoo colors and cost, irrelevant to social attitudes/generations.
• Option b gives a statistic on the number of adults with tattoos but doesn't address generational differences or social attitudes.
• Option c states tattoos are more common in younger generations than older, which supports the idea of changing social attitudes (younger generations being more accepting, leading to more tattoos).
• Option d talks about job discrimination and covering tattoos, which is about negative attitudes, not the increasing presence due to changing attitudes.

Answer:

c) Tattoos are more common among people from younger generations than they are in people who are older.