Question

select the word or phrase that is redundant and can be removed without changing the meaning of the text. combat canines in the u.s. military played an essential and important role in finding improvised explosive devices, or ieds, during the war in afghanistan.

Explanation:

The words "essential" and "important" have similar meanings, so one of them is redundant. Removing either "essential" or "important" won't change the meaning. Looking at the phrase "essential and important", we can see that "and important" (or "essential and") is redundant. But in the given sentence, the redundant part is "and important" (or "essential and"). However, among "essential" and "important", since they are synonyms, either can be removed. But in the context, the phrase "essential and important" has redundancy, so we can remove "and important" (or "essential and"). But more precisely, the redundant word or phrase here is "and important" (or "essential and"). Wait, actually, the redundant part is either "essential" or "important". But in the sentence, the phrase is "essential and important", so we can remove "and important" (so that we have "essential") or remove "essential and" (so that we have "important"). But the question is to select the word or phrase that is redundant. So the redundant phrase is "and important" (or "essential and"). But looking at the options (though not shown, but from the sentence), the redundant part is "and important" (or "essential and"). Wait, the sentence is "played an essential and important role". Since "essential" and "important" are synonyms, the phrase "and important" (or "essential and") is redundant. So the redundant phrase is "and important" (or "essential and"). But in the sentence, the redundant part is "and important" (so we can remove "and important" to have "essential role") or "essential and" (to have "important role"). Either way, the redundant phrase is "and important" (or "essential and"). But the most appropriate is to remove "and important" (or "essential and"). So the redundant word or phrase is "and important" (or "essential and"). But in the sentence, the redundant part is "and important" (so the answer is "and important" or "important" or "essential" or "and essential"? Wait, no. Let's re-express: "essential" and "important" are synonyms, so using both is redundant. So the phrase "and important" (or "essential and") can be removed. So the redundant word or phrase is "and important" (or "essential and"). But in the given sentence, the redundant part is "and important" (so we can remove "and important" to make it "essential role") or "essential and" (to make it "important role"). Either way, the redundant phrase is "and important" (or "essential and"). So the answer is "and important" (or "essential and"). But more precisely, the redundant word or phrase is "and important" (so the answer is "and important").

Answer:

and important