During the 1930s, extreme drought and high winds made life incredibly difficult in the Great Plains region of the United States. In many areas, rainfall was forty percent less than normal. The soil became extremely dry, and when strong winds blew, they created tremendous dust storms. These so-called “black blizzards” were so thick that they made daylight seem like dusk. During this terrible period, the Great Plains region of the United States was named the “Dust Bowl.” Over the next few years, the drought continued, and the winds created more dust storms. In some places, the drought and high winds lasted for eight years. Many people wondered if the black blizzards would ever end. What role does the underlined sentence serve in this paragraph?

Excerpt from an enemy of the people henrik ibsen mrs. stockmann. (turns to the hall door, listening.) i expect that is mr. hovstad coming. billing. very likely. (peter stockmann comes in. he wears an overcoat and his official hat, and carries a stick.) peter stockmann. good evening, katherine. mrs. stockmann (coming forward into the sitting-room). ah, good evening--is it you? how good of you to come up and see us! peter stockmann. i happened to be passing, and into the dining-room). but you have company with you, i see. mrs. stockmann (a little embarrassed). oh, no--it was quite by chance he came in. (hurriedly.) won't you come in and have something, too? peter stockmann. i! no, you. good gracious--hot meat at night! not with my digestion, when peter stockmann enters, what does his physical appearance to reveal about his character?