Don’t Say You ‘Can’t Imagine’ the Grief of Those Who Have Lost L

1. What is the purpose of the opening paragraph?

• A. To introduce the reader to the author’s personal experience with grief

• B. To criticize people’s responses to grief

• C. To explain the concept of grief

• D. To highlight the importance of storytelling

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2. What idea does the author develop in the opening paragraph?

• A. The societal understanding of grief

• B. The author’s feelings of isolation after losing her parents

• C. The impact of the pandemic on grief

• D. The role of government support in dealing with grief

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3. Why did the author include the detail about people saying “I can’t imagine”?

• A. To show how it comforted her during her time of grief

• B. To illustrate a common but unhelpful response to grief

• C. To explain the importance of empathy

• D. To provide a solution for dealing with grief

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4. Why did the author include the quotation, “Can you imagine?”

• A. To emphasize the disbelief surrounding the number of COVID-19 deaths

• B. To show the government's response to the pandemic

• C. To discuss the role of media in reporting deaths

• D. To highlight the public’s reaction to the pandemic

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5. Why does the author refer to 200,000 as a “grim milestone” for COVID-related deaths?

• A. To indicate a minor achievement

• B. To underscore the severity and impact of the pandemic

• C. To highlight the government's successful response

• D. To show the positive aspects of the pandemic

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6. How does the author’s imagery — particularly her descriptions of darkness — help advance the main idea?

• A. It illustrates the literal dark places people inhabit

• B. It conveys the emotional and psychological isolation of grief

• C. It describes the physical appearance of grief-stricken individuals

• D. It explains the scientific aspects of grief

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7. How does the author’s inclusion of Hamilton lyrics help underscore her main points?

• A. It provides an example of popular culture

• B. It demonstrates the universality of grief

• C. It serves as a distraction from the main topic

• D. It offers a hopeful perspective on grief

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