Which of these writing prompts is asking for a persuasive essay?

In the five stanzas of this poem. the speaker observes and participates in five american scenes. describe the scene in each stanza. what emotion does each scene evoke?

Messalla frowns at the wide circular cover, for a moment returning to his own fussy world.

When mrs. jameson says "it (the desert) won't leave you cold," what does she mean?