Question

read the following story:
a government agent decides that the best way to take
down a secret, corrupt organization in the government is to
find its source of funding and prove that it is illegally
drawing money from taxpayers. to her shock, however, the
agent discovers that her own team is also funded illegally.
which is most clearly a general theme in the story?
a. taxpayer dollars
b. money and finances
c. depths of corruption
d. the importance of teamwork

Explanation:

• Option A ("Taxpayer dollars") is a specific element (the funding source) in the story, not a general theme.
• Option B ("Money and finances") is about the medium (money) involved, but the story's core is about the extent of corruption (the corrupt organization and the agent’s own team being illegally funded).
• Option C ("Depths of corruption") fits as the story shows corruption is not limited to one group (the secret organization) but also exists in the agent’s own team, highlighting how far - reaching/corrupt the system is.
• Option D ("The importance of teamwork") is irrelevant as the story focuses on corruption, not teamwork.

Answer:

C. Depths of corruption