Question

Use the following passage to answer the question.

The writers of the American South popularized a very specific kind of literature. Their unique style was called Southern Gothic. It uses elements of the supernatural and bizarre. It is not uncommon for these works to have ghosts, other eerie beings, or even graphic deaths. Flannery O'Connor is one popular writer of the Southern Gothic tradition.

This excerpt, if taken from a newspaper article, would not be considered timely or topical unless _____.
A. there was a convention on Southern Gothic literature coming up
B. it was written purely to inform the audience
C. it had been written by an editor to persuade the audience
D. all of the above
E. none of the above

Answer 1

A makes most sense. B and C aren't really relavant to being "timely" or "topical," but could make sense in a way. So If A is not correct, then it would most likely be D.

Answer 2

This excerpt, if taken from a newspaper article, would not be considered timely or topical unless A: there was a convention on Southern Gothic literature coming up.

This excerpt can be taken from an article that also informs the reader about Southern Gothic literature and its characteristics, but it will not be considered timely or topical unless there is a near event that has something to do with the giving of this information.

For the article to be timely or topical it has to be related to an upcoming event, and its function will be to persuade the readers to attend and to learn more about the topics that are going to be shared there.