<span>Ian the Alligator stood at third base waiting for the opportunity to reach home base and tie the game. Dan the Beaver went for the bunt with two strikes and strike three, he was out. In the bottom of the ninth with one out remaining, the team just needed to find a way to get Ian home.
The home team cheered "bring Ian home, bring Ian home!" The chant was loud enough that the catcher missed his signs to the pitcher and a breaking ball - on the first pitch to Larry the Lion - went between the catcher's legs and bounced to the backstop.
Ian ran home, but the pitcher was fast too. He reached home with time to spare, got the ball from the catcher and blocked Ian. He had no choice but to return to third. With his long jaw he tagged up just in time.
Ian stood up and - thinking the ball was already back on the mound with the pitcher - inched towards home plate. Alas, the third baseman had the ball and tagged Ian out.
It was down to Larry.
With one out left and Larry - slow for a Lion - the pitcher was at ease. Even if Larry connected, he'd never reach hope plate.
Unless... crack! Larry hit the ball... back, back, back and it's gone.
The Alberta Animals tie the game and force extra innings.</span>
The strategy that would most improve Laurel’s statement to make it more conventional is option D) “Change the phrase "shooting the breeze" because it is too informal and cannot be understood literally.” When speaking to her new neighbors about babysitting their daughter, Laurel needs to adapt her language to her audience, in this case adults, in order to express her ideas in a way that everybody understands. The rest of the options are incorrect since the language used is not informal and does not interfere with the understanding of her message.
The answer could actually be "climb" or "was climbing," but traditionally should be "climb." Hope this helps :)
When elaborating a persuasive essay, you should try to anticipate the reader's objections to your argument and address them one by one.
