What is motivating the writer’s argument?

I feel as though questions such as this are important. As stated, these questions gave “alternative ways of seeing the topic at hand.” This is very important, I tend to learn slightly differently than people in the classroom; having these questions to apply to my readings will help to give me a different view on things. Reading this way is more demanding. It forces you to think from many different angles. This skill is important in reading, it helps you to fully understand the concept and topic that is at hand.

the pronoun reference replaces a noun, but you have to make sure there's no room for confusion.

in the first sentence "her" could be referring to shely or to the sister. the answer there is "shelly called her sister and told her about the new baby."

in the second sentence "it" could be referring to the roof or the floor. the answer there is "since the roof leaks on the family room floor, we need to repair the roof."

the answer is a)   a sentence of death costs the state "almost three times as much as a sentence of life in prison" (delon 147)