Dogs make life great

let’s face it, they don’t call dogs “man’s best friend” for nothing. they are sweet, they love us, and they do work for us. there is simply nothing better than a dog. if humans have learned to survive against saber-toothed predators, stampeding herds, and enduring famine, dogs have been right there. as robin to our batman, as scooby doo to our shaggy, dogs have been there through thick and thin in our darkest hours. after all we've been through together, how could anyone disagree that dogs are the best pet any human could have?

first, we get massive health benefits from dogs. they calm us down when we are stressed. countless service dogs are trained every year to go into nursing homes and other facilities to provide comfort to patients. these therapy dogs have been shown to lower blood pressure and calm distressed patients. dogs also bring sweet, sweet bacteria into our homes. these bacteria build our immune systems and make us healthier. studies have shown that people with dogs get sick less often. in addition, growing up with a dog in your home may make you less prone to dog-related allergies as you grow up. finally, because dogs need regular exercise, dog owners tend to be more fit than those who do not own dogs or own only cats.

second, dogs just make us happier. new studies have found a lower rate of depression in dog owners. in part because dogs force their owners to be more active, it is likely that dog-owners just cannot stay cooped up at home all the time. this activity level also makes it easier to meet people, stay socially engaged, and feel a sense of belonging. they are dependable friends as well, always ready with a sympathetic ear, a soft belly to rub, and a willing smile. if your day seems like a version of the zombie apocalypse, ten minutes of playing fetch will certainly keep those zombies at bay until you can get back in the game.

finally, it’s all about cute. sure other pets can be cute, but consider tail wagging. what other animal has such a universally understood expression of joy? how can you not give into that sweet face, holding a stick, waiting patiently to be taken out to play? and if you have any doubts, you must not have seen a dog rolling on its back, tongue lolling about, head swishing back and forth, scooting first one way and then the next as if competing in a silly worm dance.

many cat owners may argue with this position, but dogs really are the best companions. they bring joy, like a bluebird brings spring, or a rainbow brings a promise. they teach us about patience. they teach us about faith, waiting patiently—no matter how many times we leave without them—for that one time they get to load into the car and go with us. always ready to go, always ready to wait longer, they make us hurry home at the end of the day for just a little unconditional love.

read this line from the second paragraph:

if your day seems like a version of the zombie apocalypse, ten minutes of playing fetch will certainly keep those zombies at bay until you can get back in the game.

which of the following best explains the main purpose of this sentence in the paragraph?

a. to support the claim that dogs keep us exercising
b. to support the claim that dogs are good for hard times
c. to support the claim that dogs us feel happier
d. to support the claim that dogs are more fit than cats

What is the biggest difference in central ideas and themes? question 1 options: themes are for stories with characters in them. there is only a central idea if it is explicitly (specifically, outright) stated in a story. central ideas are a main idea specific to the text, while themes are an universal lesson or moral. themes are only found in nonfiction, while central ideas are found in fiction. question 2 (1 point) which of the following is not a true statement about theme? question 2 options: mulitple themes can be found within a single text theme is usually inferred. the theme is always clearly stated by the author or a character. themes should be supported by evidence from the text. question 3 (1 point) what is indirect characterization? question 3 options: all details stated and implied that give the reader information about a character. details such as age, height, or hair color that give the reader information about a character. actions or dialogue said by a character that give the reader information about a character. the description an author gives about the character in the exposition. question 4 (1 point) which sentence best describes lizabeth's development in "marigolds"? question 4 options: lizabeth matures when she recognizes that love is more powerful than hate. lizabeth learns that sympathy and understanding come from recognizing the truth about other people. lizabeth changes her behavior after she recognizes that she needs to be a better example for her brother. lizabeth comes to recognize that the world is too barren to create lasting beauty. question 5 (1 point) how does the resolution of lizabeth's conflict in "marigolds" develop the theme? question 5 options: lizabeth recognizes that she has looked only at herself rather than at other people. lizabeth's destruction of miss lotte's flowers brings about justice over miss lotte's ill-treatment of the children. lizabeth's pursuit of adventure leads her to a more fulfilling life away from the shantytown. the camaraderie of lizbeth and joey creates meaning in both their lives. question 6 (1 point) which of the following quotations best exemplifies lizabeth's childish nature at the beginning of the story? question 6 options: "and one other thing i remember, another incongruency of memory - a brilliant splash of sunny yellow against the dust - miss lottie's marigolds." "by the time i was fourteen, my brother joey and i were the only children left at the house." "'hey, lizabeth,' joey yelled. he never talked when he could yell." "then i lost my head entirely, mad with the power of inciting such rage, and ran out of the bushes chanting madly, 'old witch, fell in a ditch, picked up a penny and through she was rich! '" question 7 (1 point) the story "marigolds" is told in a flashback. lizabeth recounts the details of the incident with miss lottie for the reader years after they have happened. how is this important to the development of lizabeth's character? question 7 options: lizabeth is older now and realizes that she may not have made the best decisions. lizabeth feels sorry for herself now and thinks that miss lottie is still angry. there were so many kids and so little to do, their behaviors should have been overlooked. all of these question 8 (1 point) lizabeth's "world had lost its boundary lines," when she overheard her father crying to her mother. what can we assume about the character of the father because of her reaction to this moment? question 8 options: we can assume that her father is a weak man. we can assume that her father shares his fears with his children and wife often. we can assume that her father is a proud and strong man and that his brokenness is a change in his character. we can assume that until this moment, her father has only cried to lizabeth but not to her mother which explains her surprise.