Read this excerpt from an argumentative essay. Which claim does this excerpt make?
If the government would stop spending a lot of money
on national landmarks, the average American could pay
much less in taxes.
National landmarks are popular tourist destinations, and
some of them, such as bridges or dams, perform
important functions. But it costs money to keep these
places running and open for tourists, so who is going to
pay? When the government pays, the money comes from
people's taxes. Most people would rather pay lower taxes,
so the government has to cut back on its spending.
Maintaining national landmarks is a luxury we cannot
afford. I think there are many more important things that
the government can spend our money on, such as helping
people who do not have enough food, making sure all
children get a good education, and keeping all of us safe.
Many national landmarks serve a variety of important
functions, and they are popular tourist destinations.
Soneone needs to pay for the maintenance of the
American national landmarks.
O There are more important things the government can
spend money on than the national landmarks.

Read this excerpt from the scarlet letter by nathaniel hawthorne and complete the sentence that follows. she had wandered, without rule or guidance, in a moral wilderness; as vast, as intricate and shadowy, as the untamed forest, amid the gloom of which they were now holding a colloquy that was to decide their fate. the author uses the point of view in the excerpt.

Consider the role of dr. kenny in the novel. how does rukmani feel about him, and what theme is represented by their interactions? respond in at least 150 words.

Select the correct text in the passage. in richard connell's short story "the most dangerous game," zaroffs aristocratic appearance and dignified manners mask his sinister, animalistic nature. which line from the excerpt best provides a glimpse into his true nature? rainsford's first impression was that the man was singularly handsome; his second was that there was an original, almost bizarre quality about the general's face. he was a tall man past middle age, for his hair was a vivid white; but his thick eyebrows and pointed military mustache were as black as the night from which rainsford had come. his eyes, too, were black and very bright. he had high cheekbones, a sharpcut nose, a spare, dark face-the face of a man used to giving orders, the face of an aristocrat. turning to the giant in uniform, the general made a sign. the giant put away his pistol, saluted, withdrew. "ivan is an incredibly strong fellow," remarked the general, "but he has the misfortune to be deaf and dumb. a simple fellow, but, i'm afraid, like all his race, a bit of a savage." "is he russian? " "he is a cossack," said the general, and his smile showed red lips and pointed teeth. "so am i." half apologetically general zaroff said, "we do our best to preserve the amenities of civilization here. forgive any lapses. we are well off the beaten track, you know." laughter shook the general. "how extraordinarily droll you are! " he said. "one does not expect nowadays to find a young man of the educated class, even in america, with such a naive, and, if i may say so, mid-victorian point of view. it's like finding a snuffbox in a limousine. ah, well, doubtless you