Question

for questions #16 - 20, refer to the following passage:
the confused students loaded into the auditorium to listen to a guest speaker. the crowd was (16) about the event; some students cared, others did not.
while the speaker could detect this feeling, he was not worried and rather (17). the speaker credited his relaxed demeanor to years of public speaking experience, being far from a (18) or beginner. the speaker opened his presentation with a short, humorous story, with this particular (19) being one of his favorites. at the end of his story, when the audience let out a huge burst of laughter, the experienced (20) knew he had his audience hooked.
19.
a. anecdote
b. digression
c. loaded language
d. hypothesis

Explanation:

An anecdote is a short, interesting story. The passage mentions "a short, humorous story", which fits the definition of an anecdote. A digression is a deviation from the main topic. Loaded language uses words with strong connotations. A hypothesis is a proposed explanation. Since the text clearly refers to a story, anecdote is the correct term.

Answer:

A. Anecdote