Question

Read this excerpt from Al Gore's Nobel Prize acceptance speech:

We, the human species, are confronting a planetary emergency — a threat to the survival of our civilization that is gathering ominous and destructive potential even as we gather here.

Which statement best describes how word choice helps establish style in the excerpt?
A. The use of words such as "we" and "gather" helps establish a friendly style.
B. The use of words such as "planetary" and "potential" helps establish a formal style.
C. The use of words such as "human" and "threat" helps establish a humorous style.
D. The use of words such as "ominous" and "destructive" helps establish a casual style.

Answer 1

B. The use of words such as "planetary" and "potential" helps establish a formal style.

Answer 2

The correct answer is:

B. The use of words such as "planetary" and "potential" helps establish a formal style.

Explanation:

In this excerpt, Al Gore's purpose is to capture the attention of the audience so that people understand the threats of global warming and pollution, so that they create conscience towards the behavior of humanity with the planet, and to take actions to solve the current problems. Al Gore's choice of words create a formal style to create an objective and precise impact on the audience's conscience.