Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The primary purpose of the passage is to suggest that viewers think critically about the underlying assumptions in the movies they watch. It discusses how American war movies often conform to a Western paradigm and urges readers to analyze these portrayals and question the messages being conveyed. Choice A is incorrect because the passage does not focus on analyzing an interesting feature of American cinema but rather on prompting critical thinking. Choice B is incorrect as the passage does not aim to refute the Western paradigm but rather to highlight its influence on American war movies. Choice C is incorrect as the passage does not suggest a way to improve war movies but rather encourages viewers to be more mindful and aware of the underlying assumptions in the movies they consume.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Including multiple headlines at the start of an article allows for the quick conveyance of the most important information about a significant event. In the case of the article about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the headlines serve as brief summaries of key details, such as the event itself, the perpetrator, the status of the President, and related incidents like the attempted assassination of Secretary Seward. These headlines help readers grasp the main points efficiently without having to read through the entire article. The purpose is to summarize the key details and attract readers' attention to engage them in the content. Choice B is incorrect because the purpose is not to sensationalize the story but to inform. Choice C is incorrect as the intention is not to incite panic but to provide essential information. Choice D is incorrect because the headlines serve a meaningful purpose and are not included just to fill empty space on the page.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Choice B introduces a specific claim that texting while driving is extremely dangerous by stating that 'there may be nothing more dangerous than texting while driving' and supports this claim with statistics on the number of deaths and injuries caused by texting while driving. It further emphasizes the impact by mentioning that the majority of texting drivers are teens. This approach of providing specific evidence helps to distinguish the claim from counterclaims and strengthens the argument. Choices A, C, and D do not introduce a specific claim supported by factual evidence and fail to distinguish it from potential counterclaims, making them less effective in presenting a strong argument.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The most logical reason for the watering schedule having the same number for both Friday and Saturday is that the residents at addresses ending with these numbers are the most likely to consume more water. This indicates a trend in water consumption among residents at these specific addresses, leading to the need for consistent watering on both days. Choice A is incorrect as the number of addresses ending with specific numbers does not necessarily correlate with water consumption. Choice B is incorrect as there is no information suggesting that businesses consuming the most water have addresses ending with these numbers. Choice D is incorrect as there is no evidence to support that the city is more concerned about water usage specifically in the latter part of the week.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In the context of the fifth paragraph, the word 'deceptive' is used to describe actions that are misleading or giving a false impression. It does not directly imply malice, illegality, or irritation, but rather that the actions are meant to mislead or deceive others. Choice A is correct as it aligns with the definition of 'deceptive' in this context. Choice B, 'malicious,' implies a deliberate intent to harm, which is not necessarily conveyed by the term 'deceptive' in this paragraph. Choice C, 'illegal,' does not capture the essence of misleading actions without specifically addressing the legality aspect. Choice D, 'irritating,' is unrelated to the meaning of 'deceptive' as used in this context.