Which statement best identifies a similar central idea in both “A Quick Note about Getting Better at Difficult Things” and “President Obama’s National Address to America’s Schoolchildren”?

Which two passages in this excerpt from the death of ivan illych does leo tolstoy use to suggest that ivan ilych feels like his life is slipping away from him? "what's the use? it makes no difference," he said to himself, staring with wide-open eyes into the darkness. "death. yes, death. and none of them knows or wishes to know it, and they have no pity for me. now they are playing." (he heard through the door the distant sound of a song and its accompaniment.) "it's all the same to them, but they will die too! fools! i first, and they later, but it will be the same for them. and now they are merry . . the beasts! " anger choked him and he was agonizingly, unbearably miserable. "it is impossible that all men have been doomed to suffer this awful horror! " he raised himself. "something must be wrong. i must calm myself—must think it all over from the beginning." and he again began thinking. "yes, the beginning of my illness: i knocked my side, but i was still quite well that day and the next. it hurt a little, then rather more. i saw the doctors, then followed despondency and anguish, more doctors, and i drew nearer to the abyss. my strength grew less and i kept coming nearer and nearer, and now i have wasted away and there is no light in my eyes.

This series of works has captured the imaginations of people all over the world. a. incarcerated c. jailed b. seized d. arrested

Which statement contains an opinion? the ants serve to protect the acacia from other plants and herbivores. the acacia depends on pollinators for the exchange of genetic material. the acacia has no chemical defenses to discourage herbivores. the ants provide the acacia with the best protection from other plants and herbivores.