The gives the owner of a variable annuity the ability to withdraw a maximum percentage of the annuity value until the initial investment amount has been recouped.

D. Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit

Explanation:

In the case of the guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit, the benefit is available for fixed annuity and for a variable annuity.

When the market is down, the policyholder can withdraw the maximum percentage of the annuity value unless the amount of initial investment recouped.  

Withdrawal amount should be between of five percent to ten percent of the initial investment held.

metallurgy is your answer

the "study of metals and the process of refining ("

note that it says metal. metallurgy has the word "metal" in it, and so is most likely your answer (and is your answer).

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the assumption the narrator makes in this excerpt is that the messages he heards were going to hurt the narrator's mom; the narrator just springs in to action. the narrator doesn't specify in this excerpt why he believes that the messages present a problem that requires protection.