Question

1. why might a writer use the concept of speed to define a particular historical age? (characterizing the historical period)

a writer might use the concept of speed to define a particular historical age to show the change in technological, social and economic changes in the past

1. look at the 5th paragraph on p.40. the main idea of this paragraph is that life expectancy in the anglo - saxon age was short. what details does the author cite to prove his point? (finding supporting details)

a man was lucky to survive 30, and 50 was a ripe old age. most women succumbing to the ravages of childbirth, loved less than 30 years

1. what metaphor does the author use to sum up the millennial period in europe? what does the author mean by this? (characterizing the historical period)

the author uses low life expectancy, how men are lucky to live till 30 and women dying in childbirth. the author is telling us how short and difficult lives were back then.

1. summarize this selection in 3 - 5 sentences.

Explanation:

Sub - question 1

To answer why a writer uses speed to define a historical age, we consider that speed can reflect the rate of technological, social, and economic progress. Faster speed in these areas might mean a more dynamic or transformative age, helping to characterize the era's pace of change.

To find the details proving life expectancy was short in the Anglo - Saxon age, we look at the given text. It states that a man was lucky to survive 30, 50 was a ripe old age, and most women, succumbing to childbirth ravages, lived less than 30 years. These are the details.

There is an error in the provided answer. The question asks for a metaphor, but the given response talks about life expectancy details. Assuming a correct approach, we would identify the metaphor (e.g., if the text used something like "a dark tunnel" for the millennial period, we'd explain its meaning). But based on the given (incorrect) response, we note the mistake. However, if we assume the text had a metaphor related to the harshness of life (like "a vale of tears"), we'd explain it sums up the millennial period as a time of hardship, with short, difficult lives.

Answer:

A writer might use the concept of speed to define a particular historical age to show the rate of technological, social, and economic changes in that era, as these changes' pace can help characterize the age's nature.

Sub - question 2