Question

passage 1: in defense of self - checkout
to self - checkout, or not to self - checkout - that is the question.
as you approach the front of the store to purchase your cartful of goods, the question is: is it better to get in line with a regular cashier or to opt for a self - checkout kiosk? what you end up choosing depends on many different factors. are you in a rush? do you feel like making small talk? maybe youre paying with only loose change, and what cashier wants to count a ton of nickels?
many people enjoy the small freedoms provided by self - checkout. however, many are also vehemently opposed to the kiosks, with some even calling for their removal. lets face it - weve all had to hear “unexpected item in the bagging area” at least once. there is no denying that self - checkout can be annoying at times, but that doesnt mean consumers shouldnt have the option. there is nothing wrong with preferring the traditional checkout experience, but maybe self - checkout isnt truly as bad as some make it out to be. in fact, it might even be beneficial for both customer and company. is it so wrong to say that self - checkout has ultimately improved the shopping experience?
gone are the days of waiting in lines that stretch toward the back of the store. with a traditional checkout, one cashier is limited to one till and one customer at a time. on the other hand, self - checkouts are typically made up of several kiosks, which are all available to be used by different customers at the same time. this means instead of one employee to one customer, one employee can oversee several transactions at once. self - checkouts are especially helpful for those who are in a rush or are just picking up a few items. feel free to scan and go. no need to wait in a long line for just four items. and no need to awkwardly turn down the cashiers offer to
21
in passage 1, what effects does the author produce by asking the rhetorical questions in paragraph 1? select two.
the author shows how customers feel about shopping in stores.
the author introduces an argument that self - checkout has value.
the author analyzes why people resist using self - checkout kiosks.
the author suggests that stores prioritize the needs of customers.
the author emphasizes the idea that store customers have options.

Explanation:

1. For "The author introduces an argument that self - checkout has value": The rhetorical questions in paragraph 1 (like "is it better to get in line with a regular cashier or to opt for a self - checkout kiosk?") set up the discussion about self - checkout. Then the passage goes on to talk about the benefits of self - checkout, so these questions help introduce the argument that self - checkout has value.
2. For "The author emphasizes the idea that store customers have options": The rhetorical questions in paragraph 1 present the choice between regular cashier and self - checkout, and also consider different customer situations (in a rush, paying with loose change etc.) that influence the choice, emphasizing that customers have options in how they check out.

The other options:

• "The author shows how customers feel about shopping in stores" is incorrect because the questions are about checkout options, not general shopping feelings.
• "The author analyzes why people resist using self - checkout kiosks" is incorrect as the questions are more about presenting choices and starting the argument for self - checkout, not analyzing resistance.
• "The author suggests that stores prioritize the needs of customers" is incorrect as the questions and passage focus on customer choices for checkout, not store priorities.

Answer:

B. The author introduces an argument that self - checkout has value.
E. The author emphasizes the idea that store customers have options.