Question

children today do not have it as easy as their parents. not only do they have to keep up with social networking sites and speed text messaging, but they also have to do it looking cool. fashion statements change every hour making it difficult for a modern child to handle the pressure of keeping up with fashion trends. besides, today’s child has to make time for television, video games, and sleepovers as well. one cannot forget the fact that—occasionally—a child has to take a break from staring at the computer or cell phone to face the parent or the teacher, who always seem to demand something from him or her. which of these makes this piece a satire? a. the author disregards the importance of technology for modern children b. the author jokes fun at today’s children indulging in technology c. the author contrasts the difficult lives of children today with their parents’ d. the author shows sympathy for the child facing a teacher’s demands

Explanation:

To determine the satire, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The passage focuses on children's challenges, not disregarding technology's importance. Eliminate A.
• Option B: The author doesn't joke about children in technology; the tone is more about highlighting difficulties. Eliminate B.
• Option C: The text contrasts modern children's difficult lives (keeping up with social media, fashion, technology, teacher demands) with their parents' easier childhoods ("Children today do not have it as easy as their parents"). This contrast is a key element of satire here.
• Option D: The author describes teacher demands but the main satire is about contrasting children's lives with parents', not just showing sympathy for children facing teacher demands. Eliminate D.

Answer:

C. The author contrasts the difficult lives of children today with their parents'.