Question

analyzing the development of a central idea
passage a:
but the execution was an external event, not necessarily an internal exorcism. all their lives my parents, along with a nation of dominicans, had learned the habits of repression, censorship, terror. those habits would not disappear with a few bullets and a national liberation proclamation. they would not disappear on a plane ride north that put hundreds of miles distance between the island and our apartment in new york.
and so, long after we had left, my parents were still living in the dictatorship inside their own heads. even on american soil, they were afraid of awful consequences if they spoke out or disagreed with authorities. the first amendment
passage b:
which statement correctly analyzes how the passages work together to develop a central idea?
○ alvarez shows how her parents finally voiced the injustices of their generation.
○ alvarez shows how she was able to finally speak for her parents’ generation.
○ alvarez shows how most people learn to speak up for themselves over time.
○ alvarez shows that her parents thought it was better to never speak of social injustice.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option against the passage:

1. Analyze Option 1: The passage focuses on the parents’ fear of speaking out, not them voicing injustices. Eliminate.
2. Analyze Option 2: The passage implies Alvarez (the author) is able to speak for her parents’ generation (who remained silent due to fear) by sharing their story. This aligns with the idea of her “speaking for” them.
3. Analyze Option 3: The passage is about the parents’ inability to speak up, not “most people” learning to speak up. Eliminate.
4. Analyze Option 4: The passage shows the parents were afraid to speak, not that they “thought it was better” to never speak of injustice. Eliminate.

Answer:

Alvarez shows how she was able to finally speak for her parents’ generation.