What is the topic of this passage? What is the author's purpose for writing this passage?
Madagascar is an island lying about 1,000 miles south of
Socotra. The people are Saracens who worship Mahomet.
They have four sheikhs--that is to say, four elders-who
exercise authority over the whole island. ... It is said to
measure about 4,000 miles in circumference. The people
live by trade and industry.
-"The Middle East,"
Marco Polo

“i didn't know that cheshire cats always grinned; in fact, i didn't know that cats could grin.” “they all can,” said the duchess; “and most of 'em do.” “i don't know of any that do,” alice said very politely, feeling quite to have got into a conversation. “you don't know much,” said the duchess; “and that's a fact.” what is the effect of the short sentences on the dialogue? they make the dialogue smooth and serene. they make the dialogue lively and humorous. they make the dialogue formal and elegant. they make the dialogue into a song.

Read the quotation from "an occurrence at owl creek bridge." and now he became conscious of a new disturbance. striking through the thought of his dear ones was a sound which he could neither ignore nor understand, a sharp, distinct, metallic percussion like the stroke of a blacksmith’s hammer upon the anvil; it had the same ringing quality. he wondered what it was, and whether immeasurably distant or near by—it seemed both. its recurrence was regular, but as slow as the tolling of a death knell. he awaited each stroke with impatience and—he knew not why—apprehension. the intervals of silence grew progressively longer, the delays became maddening. with their greater infrequency the sounds increased in strength and sharpness. they hurt his ear like the thrust of a knife; he feared he would shriek. what he heard was the ticking of his watch. which best describes the effect of the narration in the excerpt? it suggests that the man being executed feels tranquil and at peace. it suggests that the narrator is sympathetic to the man being executed. it suggests that the plot will become less tense as the story continues. it suggests that the story will become more intense and mysterious.

Samuel johnson and oliver goldsmith had which of these in common? select all that apply. sensibility difficult poetic diction life of poverty distrust of parliament whig party leanings admiration of swift and pope