Question

In the opening sentences of the passage ("Now I know... color of my hair!"), the author refers to Alice Walker primarily to

A
impress her audience with the breadth of her literary knowledge
B
flaunt her access to privileged information about the planning of the commencement ceremony
С
congratulate her audience for inviting her instead of a lesser-known speaker
D
acknowledge the potentially embarrassing circumstances under which she is delivering her speech
E
suggest that she pays more attention to her personal appearance than do other celebrities

Answer 1

D

Step-by-step explanation:

It's awkward that their first choice was Alice Walker and that she got chosen instead because Walker declined. Many students protested her speaking and the comedic relief at the beginning and the acknowledgement of the circumstances was necessary to potentially get the students to listen to her.