Question

athletes know that it takes more than exercise to maintain peak performance. they also know that finding quick, healthy, and energy - boosting options for between - meal snacks can be a challenge. fortunately, atlas nutrient bars offer the perfect balance of convenience, great taste, and nutritious ingredients. so when you’re running low on energy, grab an atlas bar. then you’ll feel ready to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. how well does the allusion to atlas, who in greek mythology was forced to hold up the sky as a punishment, help persuade? 1 the allusion has a positive association with strength, but it is undercut by the idea of carrying a burden. 2 the allusion to an ancient story helps convince readers that the product has been around a very long time. 3 the allusion is completely detrimental because it associates the product with the idea of punishment.

Explanation:

To determine the best answer, we analyze the allusion to Atlas:

• Atlas in Greek mythology was forced to hold up the sky as punishment (a burden, not a positive association with strength chosen freely).
• Option 1 claims the allusion has a “positive association with strength” but is undercut by the burden idea. However, the core of Atlas’s story is punishment, not a positive strength narrative.
• Option 2 argues the ancient story (Atlas’s myth) helps convince readers. But Atlas’s story is about punishment/burden, not a positive endorsement for a product.
• Option 3 states the allusion is detrimental because it associates the product with punishment. Since Atlas’s task was a punishment (not a positive, empowering burden), linking the product to this punitive imagery would harm its appeal (e.g., readers might associate the product with a “burden” of punishment, not strength/energy).

Answer:

1. The allusion is completely detrimental because it associates the product with the idea of punishment.