Question

passage 1: in defense of self - checkout
1
to self - checkout, or not to self - checkout—that is the question.
as you approach the front of the store to purchase your cartful of
goodies, the question is: is it better to get in line with a regular
cashier or to opt for a self - checkout kiosk? what you end up choosing
depends on many different factors. are you in a rush? do you feel
like making small talk? maybe you’re paying with only loose change,
and what cashier wants to count a ton of nickels?
2
many people enjoy the small freedoms provided by self -
checkout. however, many are also vehemently opposed to the kiosks,
with some even calling for their removal. let’s face it—we’ve all had
to hear “unexpected item in the bagging area” at least once. there is
no denying that self - checkout can be annoying at times, but that
doesn’t mean consumers shouldn’t have the option. there is nothing
wrong with preferring the traditional checkout experience, but maybe
self - checkout isn’t truly as bad as some make it out to be. in fact, it
might even be beneficial for both customer and company. is it so
wrong to say that self - checkout has ultimately improved the shopping
experience?
3
gone are the days of waiting in lines that stretch toward the
back of the store. with a traditional checkout, one cashier is limited
to one till and one customer at a time. on the other hand, self -
checkouts are typically made up of several kiosks, which are all
available to be used by different customers at the same time. this
means instead of one employee to one customer, one employee can
oversee several transactions at once. self - checkouts are especially
helpful for those who are in a rush or are just picking up a few items.
feel free to scan and go. no need to wait in a long line for just four
items. and no need to awkwardly turn down the cashier’s offer to
22
read this sentence from passage 1.
“let’s face it—we’ve all had to hear ‘unexpected item in the bagging area’ at least once.” (paragraph 2)
what is the effect of this sentence in the passage?
a it creates an angry mood by pointing out a negative feature.
b it creates a self - satisfied mood by criticizing a flaw in the system.
c it creates an optimistic mood by focusing on an insignificant detail.
d it creates a lighthearted mood by describing a common experience.

Explanation:

To determine the effect of the sentence, analyze each option:

• Option A: The sentence is more relatable than angry; it's a common experience, not just pointing out a negative feature to create anger. Eliminate A.
• Option B: The tone isn't self - satisfied. The author is acknowledging a common annoyance but not criticizing to feel self - satisfied. Eliminate B.
• Option C: The detail about the "unexpected item" is a common, relatable experience, not insignificant, and the mood isn't optimistic here. Eliminate C.
• Option D: Saying "we've all had to hear..." refers to a common experience with self - checkout. The phrase "Let's face it" and the relatable situation create a lighthearted, informal tone as it's a shared, familiar annoyance.

Answer:

D. It creates a lighthearted mood by describing a common experience.