Question

read these excerpts from two passages.

e-books or print books? that is the question.
the e-book revolution is here. one online bookselling behemoth reported it sells more e-books than print books. in 2010 alone, the sales of digital books increased by a whopping 164 percent. in 2013, the association of american publishers announced that e-books accounted for 20 percent of all book sales. so, whats the story with both of these kinds of books and, ultimately, which one is better?

click it or brick it
when i saw my grandmother ordering gardening supplies online, it struck me that the days of brick-and-mortar shops might be doomed. not that my grandmother is a dinosaur, mind you. she is a wizard with the remote, uses social media to stay in touch with her friends, and sends text messages with ease. but my grandmothers transaction made it clear: online shopping has become as commonplace as brushing your teeth.

what is a common theme in these excerpts?

• the demise of print media.
• how the internet has affected commerce.
• how grandparents choose to shop.
• the evolution of communication methods.

Explanation:

Analyze the first excerpt

Using the Reading Comprehension knowledge point
The first excerpt, "E-Books or Print Books? That Is the Question," discusses the rapid rise of digital books (e-books) and online bookselling giants. It highlights how digital sales have grown significantly, changing how books are bought and sold.

Analyze the second excerpt

Using the Reading Comprehension knowledge point
The second excerpt, "Click It or Brick It," describes a grandmother ordering gardening supplies online. The author reflects on how online shopping is replacing traditional brick-and-mortar stores, making digital transactions commonplace.

Identify the shared connection

Using the Comparative Analysis knowledge point
Both excerpts focus on the shift from physical, traditional methods to digital, online alternatives. The first focuses on buying e-books online versus print books, and the second focuses on online shopping versus physical brick-and-mortar stores. Both represent how the internet has transformed buying, selling, and business transactions.

Evaluate the options

Using the Comparative Analysis knowledge point

• "The demise of print media" only relates to the first excerpt, not the second.
• "How the Internet has affected commerce" directly addresses both the online sale of books (first excerpt) and online shopping replacing physical stores (second excerpt).
• "How grandparents choose to shop" only relates to the anecdote in the second excerpt.
• "The evolution of communication methods" is too broad and does not capture the commercial focus of both passages.

Answer:

• The demise of print media.
• How the Internet has affected commerce. (Correct answer)
• How grandparents choose to shop.
• The evolution of communication methods.