Question

In the second and third sentences of the opening paragraph, the writer uses quotation marks primarily to...

A. emphasize significant causes.
B. draw contrasts between phenomena.
C. highlight supporting examples.
D. qualify the overarching thesis.
E. mock the accuracy of the information. (incorrect)

"THE LIST OF REASONS for not acting on climate change is long and ever-shifting. First it was “there’s no problem”; then it was “the problem’s so large there’s no hope.” There’s “China burns stuff too,” and “it would hurt the economy,” and, of course, “it would hurt the economy.” The excuses are getting tired, though. Post Sandy (which hurt the economy to the tune of $100 billion) and the drought ($150 billion), 74 percent of Americans have decided they’re very concerned about climate change and want something to happen."

Answer 1

B, to draw contrasts between phenomena. The quotation marks indicate that these are not the writer's own words but the words of others, and they serve to highlight the different excuses or arguments that have been made against taking action on climate change over time.