Tom squinted as he tried to see through the holes in the ski mask. He could make out the large bag on the counter. The frightened woman who put it there now had both hands raised. As he took the bag off of the counter, Tom tipped an imaginary hat to the woman. The jest did not brighten her demeanor. Tom exited the first set of doors but stopped in the vestibule. Soon the windows of the building pulsated with blue and red lights. Tom hurriedly walked back into the building.

Incomplete question. The complete question reads;

Iggy squinted as he tried to see through the holes in the ski mask. He could make out the large bag on the counter. The frightened woman who put it there now had both hands raised. Iggy exited the first set of doors but stopped in the entryway. Soon the windows of the building pulsated with blue and red lights. Iggy hurriedly walked back into the building.

What is Iggy doing in the building?

He's robbing it.

Explanation:

Remember, we are told that "the frightened woman...had both hands raised" and that "the windows of the building pulsated with blue and red lights." Since the building was pulsating with blue and red light it indicates that the security alarm systems had been triggered.

Based on these circumstances, we could conclude that Iggy was robbing the building.

the price of our current war is high; it costs money and it costs lives.

but it does not cost our pride. it does not cost the guilt that would arise from knowing that we did nothing to intervene while our neighboring nations fell to despotic leaders.

it does not cost the terror of knowing that our allies are unstable. it does not cost the fear that we, too, will be next to fall.

which sentence most accurately explains why the speaker's use of the parallel structure is effective in this passage?

a. it underscores that disagreement will not be tolerated and will be dealt with swiftly.

b. it makes the speaker seem like a decisive and capable leader.

c. it emphasizes reasons to fight and inspires listeners to aid the war effort.

d. it establishes the speaker's credibility by acknowledging the difficulties of war.