Read this passage from “The Monkey’s Paw” to determine the answers to the follow-up questions. “To look at,” said the sergeant-major, fumbling in his pocket, “it's just an ordinary little paw, dried to a mummy.”

He took something out of his pocket and proffered it. Mrs. White drew back with a grimace, but her son, taking it, examined it curiously.

“And what is there special about it?” inquired Mr. White as he took it from his son, and having examined it, placed it upon the table.

“It had a spell put on it by an old fakir,” said the sergeant-major, “a very holy man. He wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow. He put a spell on it so that three separate men could each have three wishes from it.”

His manner was so impressive that his hearers were conscious that their light laughter jarred somewhat.

“Well, why don't you have three, sir?” said Herbert White, cleverly.

The soldier regarded him in the way that middle age is wont to regard presumptuous youth. “I have,” he said, quietly, and his blotchy face whitened.

“And did you really have the three wishes granted?” asked Mrs. White.

“I did,” said the sergeant-major, and his glass tapped against his strong teeth.

“And has anybody else wished?” persisted the old lady.

“The first man had his three wishes. Yes,” was the reply; “I don't know what the first two were, but the third was for death. That's how I got the paw.”

His tones were so grave that a hush fell upon the group.

“If you've had your three wishes, it's no good to you now, then, Morris,” said the old man at last. “What do you keep it for?”

The soldier shook his head. “Fancy, I suppose,” he said, slowly. “I did have some idea of selling it, but I don't think I will. It has caused enough mischief already. Besides, people won't buy. They think it's a fairy tale; some of them, and those who do think anything of it want to try it first and pay me afterward.

Part A
Which of the following states an important idea that may be the theme of the selection?

A. Do not be greedy when making a wish.

B. People have no power over the directions their lives take.

C. It is important to think carefully before you wish for anything.

D. Fate rules people's lives, and those who interfere with it do so to their sorrow.

Part B
Which sentences or phrases from the passage best supports your answer?

A.“They think it's a fairy tale; some of them, and those who do think anything of it want to try it first and pay me afterward.”

B.“If you've had your three wishes, it's no good to you now, then, Morris," said the old man at last. "What do you keep it for?”

C.“The first man had his three wishes. Yes,” was the reply; “I don't know what the first two were, but the third was for death. That's how I got the paw.”

D.“He put a spell on it so that three separate men could each have three wishes from it.”

the primary theme of "elegy written in a country churchyard" is a reflection about the significance of the lives of a group of modest people buried in a rural church cemetery. elegies focus on the death of an individual or group of people, and they generally have a melancholy tone. hope this you all.

1. read the following excerpt from franklin d. roosevelt's "fireside chat 19":

on the other side of the picture, we must learn also to know that guerilla warfare against the germans in, let us say serbia or norway, us; that a successful russian offensive against the germans us; and that british successes on land or sea in any part of the world strengthen our hands.

remember always that germany and italy, regardless of any formal declaration of war, consider themselves at war with the united states at this moment just as much as they consider themselves at war with britain or russia. and germany puts all the other republics of the americas into the same category of enemies. the people of our sister republics of this hemisphere can be honored by that fact.  

the true goal we seek is far above and beyond the ugly field of battle. when we resort to force, as now we must, we are determined that this force shall be directed toward ultimate good as well as against immediate evil. we americans are not destroyers — we are builders.

analyze the effectiveness of this excerpt. how does it function within the speech as a whole? how does the structure of the excerpt to convey the speech's purpose and key points? support your argument with evidence from the speech. (10 points)

pre-writing

why we feel good, or better, when we laugh?

is there a scientific explanation for this to happen?

which are the sources?

rough draft

laughter has a way of instantly connecting people and is one of the most basic and fundamental ways in which we communicate as human beings.

newport academy: endorphins reduce stress and strength social connections.

they combat anxiety and depression.

final draft

we know that when we laugh we feel better; when something is making us laugh it means we thought it was funny at some point, even if it was not meant that way. what we know is that it made us feel good. that is something we all can realize easily, but is it a chemical explanation for it to happen? of course there

according to joe bluett, laughter has a way of instantly connecting people and is one of the most basic and fundamental ways in which we communicate as human beings. also, he says that laughter can increase confidence, self-esteem, creativity, positivity and resilience, bringing positive changes to all aspects of our lives.

the newport academy says that, when we laugh, we release endorphins and that makes our body feel instantly relieved from tension and worry. endorphins also reduce stress and strength social connections.

therefor, laughter is the best to combat anxiety and depression.

lol

today at the bank, an old lady asked me to check her balance. so i pushed her over.