Question

9
if the author of passage 2 were to use the data in
the graph to support his main thesis, he would most
likely mention
a) the general decline in total farm subsidies from
2005 to 2012.
b) the overall rate of change in commodity
subsidies from 1998 to 2012.
c) the expansion of crop insurance subsidies from
the late 1990s to the late 2000s.
d) the sudden spike in disaster subsidies from
2004 to 2005.
10
the author of passage 1 would most likely say that
the “benefit” in line 87 is
a) offset by its costs.
b) an exception to a rule.
c) enjoyed only by the wealthy.
d) misrepresented by legislators.
11
unlike passage 2, passage 1 makes a direct appeal
to the reader’s
a) sense of humor.
b) distaste for ineptitude.
c) environmental responsibility.
d) fiscal prudence.
12
in line 57, the “floodgates” are controls against
a) environmental destruction.
b) unscrupulous funding.
c) emotional outbursts.
d) necessary capital.

Explanation:

Question 9

To solve this, we analyze the graph's data (not shown here but typical for farm subsidies) and the options. Option C about crop insurance subsidies expanding from late 1990s to late 2000s is a trend that an author could use to support a thesis, likely about subsidy growth or policy impact. Other options: A's total farm subsidies decline may not align with a thesis needing support; B's commodity subsidy rate change is less direct; D's sudden spike is a short - term event, less likely for a main thesis support.

We need to infer the author of Passage 1's view on the "benefit" in line 87. If the author is critical of subsidies (common in such passages), they'd likely say the benefit is offset by costs (A). B: an exception to a rule is not supported. C: enjoyed only by the wealthy is too narrow. D: misrepresented by legislators is not indicated.

Passage 1 (likely about fiscal issues like subsidies) would appeal to fiscal prudence (D). A: sense of humor is irrelevant. B: distaste for ineptitude is not the focus. C: environmental responsibility is off - topic.

Answer:

C) the expansion of crop insurance subsidies from the late 1990s to the late 2000s.

Question 10