The spies conducted a covert operation.

The baseball player’s malice toward the referee was revealed in his spiteful remarks to the media, which almost ruined the referee’s career

Although Zachary is much too inexperienced for the managerial position, he is a willful young man and obdurately refuses to withdraw his application.

His neighbor’s superficial remarks trivialized the property line dispute and infuriated Malcolm.

She showed a blatant disregard for the rules.

Her fashion sense was usually described as flamboyant, but on the night of the party, Tanya’s outfit was uncharacteristically modest.

Mr. Powers was so gullible that he believed even the most outlandish excuses of his insincere employees.

You cannot become a certified teacher without completing the prerequisite student-teaching assignment

Charles, aware of his susceptibility to gum disease, is diligent about flossing.

In cities throughout the country, there is a new direction in local campaign coverage. Frequently in local elections, journalists are not giving voters enough information to understand the issues and evaluate the candidates. The local news media devotes too much time to scandal and not enough time to policy.

This paragraph best supports the statement that the local news media:

The use of desktop computer equipment and software to create highquality documents such as newsletters, business cards, letterhead, and brochures is called Desktop Publishing, or DTP. The most important part of any DTP project is planning. Before you begin, you should know your intended audience, the message you want to communicate, and what form your message will take.

The paragraph best supports the statement that:

The entire low-carbohydrate versus low-fat diet argument is so prevalent that one would think that these are the only two options available for losing weight and staying healthy. Some experts even feel that the low-carb/low-fat debate distracts us from an even more important issue—our culture’s reliance on processed and manufactured foods.

The paragraph best supports the statement that:

Every year, Americans use over one billion sharp objects to administer healthcare in their homes. These sharp objects include lancets, needles, and syringes. If not disposed of in puncture-resistant containers, they can injure sanitation workers. Sharp objects should be disposed of in hard plastic or metal containers with secure lids. The containers should be clearly marked and be puncture resistant.

The paragraph best supports the idea that sanitation workers can be injured if they:

Litigation is not always the only or best way to resolve conflicts. Mediation offers an alternative approach and it is one that can be quite efficient and successful. Mediation can be faster, less expensive, and can lead to creative solutions not always possible in a court of law. Additionally, mediation focuses on mutually acceptable solutions, rather than on winning or losing.

This paragraph best supports the idea that:

The coconut is an unusual food for many reasons. It is technically

a seed, produced by the coconut palm tree, and as such is one of

the largest edible seeds produced by any plant. Its unusual contents

also make it unique in the seed world—the interior consists of both

“meat” and “water.” The meat is the white pith with which we are all

familiar, as it is used extensively for cooking and flavorings; the coconut water is a white liquid that is very sweet and thirst-quenching.

Portuguese explorers gave the nut its name in the 15th century,

referring to it as coco, meaning “ghost” in their language. The three

dimples and the hairy texture reminded them of a ghost’s face, and

the tree has retained that name ever since.

The coconut has many varied uses. It is used to make margarine, as well as various cooking oils, and these cooking oils are used

by fast-food restaurants around the world to make such diet staples

as French fries. The coconut fluid is a favorite drink in hot climates,

providing a cool and refreshing beverage right off the tree. This

water is also used by manufacturers of various sports drinks because

of its isotonic electrolyte properties. Even the shell itself has many

uses, including cattle food and fertilizer.

Yet the coconut is also useful in many ways that have nothing

to do with food. Coconut oil is used for cosmetics, medicines, and

can even be used in place of diesel fuel. Dried coconut shells are used

in many countries as a tool, such as a buffer for shining wood floors.

The shells are also used for shirt buttons, and are commonly found on Hawaiian clothing. They are even used for musical instruments and bird houses! And all these are only some of the uses found for the coconut fruit. The coconut palm tree, which produces the nut, also produces countless useful items. It’s no wonder that the coconut palm has been called “the tree of life.”

What is the main focus of this passage?