Question

read the excerpt from \children of the drug wars.\ by sending these children away, \you are handing them a death sentence,\ says josé arnulfo ochoa ochoa, an expert in honduras with world vision international, a christian humanitarian aid group. this abrogates international conventions we have signed and undermines our credibility as a humane country. it would be a disgrace if this wealthy nation turned its back on the 52,000 children who have arrived since october, many of them legitimate refugees. which phrase from the excerpt contains words with strong connotations that help describe the seriousness of the situation? \handing them a death sentence\ \abrogates international conventions we have signed\ \turned its back on the 52,000 children\ \legitimate refugees\

Explanation:

The phrase "handing them a death sentence" has strong connotations. A "death sentence" is a very serious and final outcome. It implies that sending the children away will lead to extremely dire consequences (like death), highlighting the seriousness of the situation. The other phrases:

• "abrogates international conventions we have signed" is more about a violation of agreements but doesn't have the same immediate and extreme connotation as a death - related phrase.
• "turned its back on the 52,000 children" is about neglect but not as strongly connoted as a "death sentence".
• "legitimate refugees" is a factual description rather than a phrase with strong connotations about the seriousness of the situation.

Answer:

A. "handing them a death sentence"