Final answer:
The language in the passage serves to convey information in a formal and professional manner, clearly detailing the interview process without providing comfort or personal emotion, maintaining a serious tone throughout.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that best reflects how the language in the passage serves the author’s purpose is that it allows the author to convey information clearly in a formal and professional way. The language used in the passage is tailored to inform the reader about the interview process, emphasizing the importance of problem-solving skills and critical thinking.
It establishes expectations and provides a methodical overview of what the interview entails, all of which are presented with professional formality rather than offering comfort or revealing personal feelings.
Furthermore, the description of the locked-room puzzles and the setup of the interview process, including the observation by the interview team and the recording of progress, use descriptive diction that adheres to conventional expectations in a rhetorically effective way.
There are no subtle hints about impressing the interview team, nor does the author disclose personal feelings or aim for a casual tone. Instead, the passage maintains a tone of seriousness and clarity suitable for a professional setting.