Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. In the news report about a local citizen protesting property tax rates that includes details about an immigration violation he committed twenty years previously, the irrelevant detail about the immigration violation distracts from the main message of the protest against property tax rates. The inclusion of this detail shifts the focus away from the citizen's current concerns and the reasons for his protest, thus distorting the story's message. Choices A, B, and C do not include irrelevant details that significantly distort the main messages of the stories. Choice A mentions political differences with bandmates but still focuses on the politician's part-time rock band. Choice B discusses the employment of illegal laborers but remains centered on the business owner's political aspirations. Choice C talks about ongoing hostilities in the Middle East but does not veer away from the main focus on the local Jewish and Arab business leaders.

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: Statement C directly provides evidence of coastal land erosion by stating that Louisiana has lost a significant amount of coastal land area. This supports the passage's claim that many coastal islands are eroding. Choice A is incorrect because the expense of recent hurricane seasons does not directly relate to coastal land erosion. Choice B is incorrect as the active period of the Atlantic Basin does not specifically address coastal land erosion. Choice D, while related to coastal storms, does not directly support the claim that many coastal islands are eroding.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The librarian's best course of action in this situation is to direct the student to the biography section of the library because the assignment specifically requires the student to read a biography. By helping the student select a biography at his reading level, the librarian ensures that the student is staying on task and fulfilling the assignment requirements. This approach also encourages the student to engage with physical books rather than relying solely on the Internet for research. Choice A is incorrect because it deviates from the assignment's requirement of reading a biography. Choice C is not the best option as it overlooks the specificity of the assignment and may lead the student away from the required task. Choice D is not ideal as it involves a lengthy process of inter-library loan which may not be necessary if suitable biographies are available in the library.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The new word can be formed by following the transformation steps: Remove the P, Replace the first A with the final E, Remove the I, Remove the C, and Remove the A from PREVARICATE, resulting in the word 'REVERT.' Choices A, C, and D do not match the rearrangement of letters provided in the instructions.