Final answer:
Sentences (b) 'Our Filipino mechanic fixed the radiator in a matter of hours.' and (c) 'The female police officer did not obtain a proper search warrant.' rely on language spotlighting, highlighting ethnicity and gender unnecessarily, whereas sentences (a) and (d) do not.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which sentence relies on language spotlighting, where attention is drawn to specific attributes of a person, often their race, gender, or other personal traits, unnecessarily. This can inadvertently signal assumptions or biases. Choices (b) and (c) employ this technique, as the ethnicity of the mechanic and the gender of the police officer are mentioned without being pertinent to the actions described. Sentence (b) highlights the mechanic's nationality, Filipino, which is not relevant to his ability to fix the radiator. Sentence (c) includes the unnecessary detail of the officer's gender when discussing a procedural matter.
Language spotlighting can subtly influence the reader's perceptions, and understanding its use encourages more neutral language that focuses on individuals' actions rather than unneeded personal characteristics. In contrast, sentences (a) and (d) do not contain irrelevant personal details; they solely describe the actions taken by the sister and retired co-worker without spotlighting their personal traits.Gender bias and ethnicity are key considerations when identifying language spotlighting, and the mastering of this skill can contribute to more equitable communication.