Read the following excerpt from an argumentative essay. answer the question that follows. critics might say that smart phones in the classroom cause too many distractions. a 2009 article in education magazine made just such a claim. although cell phones can certainly cause distractions, current research suggests that teachers and students are putting phones to better use. a 2013 educator insider poll reveals that 67% of high school instructors now encourage students to use phones in the classroom setting. students without phones are actually at a disadvantage in the classroom. the poll lists internet access, spell checks, and collaboration as three key uses of smart phones in an educational setting. how does the author handle the counterclaim? answer options: a the author chooses to concede the point and offers no rebuttal. b the author offers an opinion discounting the counterclaim. c the author ignores the counterclaim and avoids responding. d the author supplies a rebuttal that quotes more current research.

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.