Read the following excerpt from F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, in which the author describes the valley of ashes:
This is a valley of ashes—a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and, finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air.
What does the valley of ashes symbolize in The Great Gatsby? Which theme from the novel does the valley convey, and how does it convey the theme? Be sure to use specific details from the text to support your analysis.

"and these i address to all females that would be married, or are already so; not that i suppose their sex more faulty than the other, and most to want advice, for i assure [women], upon my honour, i believe the quite contrary; but the reason is, because i esteem them better disposed to receive and practice it, and therefore am willing to begin, where i may promise myself the best success." this statement from franklin's "rules and maxims for promoting matrimonial happiness" best demonstrates his use of criticism to argue his point his use of common sense to appeal to women his use of flattery to gain women's attention his use of facts to prove his point

What can you predict about the rest of the story? a) it will be about an eighteen-year-old girl. b) it will be about the aubignys falling in love. c) it will be about armand aubigny's father taking him to paris. d) it will be about the relationship between arman aubigny and the girl. e) it will be about an economic revolution led by aubigny.

When lawrence saw the posters for the circus hanging on the bulletin board, as he swept up the trimmings at slim's barbershop, he knew he would be taking his little cousins. they loved animals, and he was looking forward to seeing the smiles on their faces as the circus performers amazed them with their stunts. but sweeping up hair clippings didn't pay a whole lot. lawrence spent 45 dollars just getting tickets. but it was worth it to see his cousins' faces. the day finally came and everyone was excited as they walked into that big circus tent. but lawrence soon realized that he and his cousins would be thirsty and hungry. as they sat in their seats, the drink vendor walked by selling beverages. desperately thirsty, lawrence asked him how much a lemonade would cost, and the drink vendor said, "eleven dollars each." lawrence replied, "oh, that's it? just eleven dollars? what a great deal for one cup of lemonade. that's totally worth it." the drink vendor walked away. which type of irony is used?