Read this excerpt from franklin delano roosevelt's "pearl harbor address to the nation":

hostilities exist. there is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger. . i ask that the congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by japan on sunday, december 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the united states and the japanese empire.

based on this excerpt, what is most likely the meaning of "dastardly"?
a. characterized by action
b. characterized by planning
c. characterized by war
d. characterized by treachery

Characterized by treachery

Apex Approved

The right answer is D) Characterized by treachery.

Explanation: The adjective "dastardly" specifically means cowardly, dishonest, treacherous and underhanded. Since the attack on the U.S naval base at Pearl Harbor by the Japanese on December 7, 1941 was a surprise and devastating assault, which caused the death of thousands of soldiers and civilians, FDR rightly used those forceful and unequivocal words to describe it in his address, which aimed at formally declaring war on Japan.    

the following key ideas correctly express the key sentence.

restate key idea: most people can learn to swim in ten short lessons.

restate key idea: the majority of water-accident victims require mouth-to-mouth breathing.

restate key idea: an empty, tightly closed gallon jug will support a tired swimmer.  

restate key idea: first aid is to prevent accidents as well as assist in rescue.

explanation: the key idea needs to have the same topic as the key sentence (drowning and safety).