Question

1. read this passage from the essay this is spinal fusion, which describes the writer’s experience wearing a back brace. note the tone created by the connotations of words. the near-constant bracing coincided with some of the most awkward months of my early adolescent life. at first i was excited by the prospect of a solution. i clung to that hope thro fitting, which required me to wear a thin cotton body sock while a stranger measured and molded my torso. the product looked medieval: a portable, plastic iron maiden, instead of s was to use hard, round protuberances to torment me. what emotional effect do the author’s word choices create?

the word choices cause readers to feel annoyed and impatient with the writer.
the word choices show that the writer is emotionally neutral about her subject.
the word choices help readers sympathize with the writer’s painful experiences.
the word choices show that the writer is very angry about her experience.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the first option: The passage focuses on the writer's own painful experience, not actions to annoy readers, so this is incorrect.
2. Analyze the second option: Words like "awkward", "torment" show emotional involvement, not neutrality, so this is wrong.
3. Analyze the third option: Descriptions like "portable, plastic iron maiden" and "torment me" highlight the painful experience, making readers feel sorry (sympathize) for the writer. This matches.
4. Analyze the fourth option: The tone is more of pain and discomfort rather than extreme anger. The word choices don't strongly indicate anger.

Answer:

The word choices help readers sympathize with the writer’s painful experiences.