Question

Read the paragraph. Then answer the question that follows. Perhaps you wanted pizza for dinner, but you were out voted by the rest of the family who wanted chili. This is similar to what happens in a community. One person has to give up a right for the good of the group. Sometimes citizens' duties and rights conflict with each other. A good example is a public protest. People have the right to meet in groups and share ideas. However, a protest can disrupt traffic or other normal activities. A city must provide extra police protection to keep people safe. Therefore, the city has the right to require permission in advance for a protest. Government must make laws to balance the rights of individuals and different groups of people. Which statement best describes the purpose of the first sentence in this paragraph?

A.The writer just wants to capture the reader's attention by mentioning foods that are popular with teens.
B.The writer is introducing an idea by comparing it to a situation most people would understand or experience.
C.The writer explains that just because you are in a family or community doesn't mean you can control the group.
D.The writer is trying to help you understand that voting is a long, complex process that affects many other people.

Answer 1

B. The writer is introducing an idea by comparing it to a situation most people would understand or experience.

Explanation: We can tell that the writer is using the first sentence to introduce an idea by comparing it to a situation that most people would understand because that sentence is followed by the statement that, “This is similar to what happens in a community.” The writer explicitly states that the situation outlined in the first sentence is “similar” to what happens in a community. The rest of the paragraph is the writer elaborating on that statement and drawing attention to the shared concept between the two situations of sacrifice for the will of the majority.