Read this passage about seals and sea lions and then answer the question that follows: From a distance, they both look like seals, but once you get up close you can actually see the difference. Seals and sea lions are both fish-loving mammals. Moreover, handy flippers propel them both through the water. But while seals have a tiny opening on the side of their heads, sea lions have actual earflaps. Furthermore, sea lions use their back flippers like feet to scoot along the beach. On the other hand, seals must wriggle and roll to get ahead. On the whole, when you visit a zoo or theme park, it's the honking, barking, funny sea lion you're likely to find playing to the crowds for fishy treats, earflaps and all.

In the passage about seals and sea lions, what is the purpose of the transition on the whole?

It is true that prior to 1914 the united states often had been disturbed by events in other continents. we had even engaged in two wars with european nations and in a number of undeclared wars in the west indies, in the mediterranean and in the pacific for the maintenance of american rights and for the principles of peaceful commerce. but in no case had a serious threat been raised against our national safety or our continued independence. what is the theme of this excerpt? a. the responsibility for americans to avoid involvement in war.b. america’s history of international involvement.c. a new kind of threat to american security.d. america’s history as a peaceful nation.

Read the passage. the dust bowl during the 1930s, extreme drought and high winds made life incredibly difficult in the great plains region of the united states. in many areas, rainfall was forty percent less than normal. the soil became extremely dry, and when strong winds blew, they created tremendous dust storms. these so-called “black blizzards” were so thick that they made daylight seem like dusk. during this terrible period, the great plains region of the united states was named the “dust bowl.” over the next few years, the drought continued, and the winds created more dust storms. in some places, the drought and high winds lasted for eight years. many people wondered if the black blizzards would ever end. which statement about this paragraph’s main idea is true? this paragraph’s main idea is stated in the topic sentence. there are not enough details to support the main idea. this paragraph’s main idea is implied. this paragraph does not express a main idea.

When narrators can be trusted to tell the story the way it really happened, they are considered a. unreliable first-person narrators b. reliable first-person narrator