Answer:
E. reinforce the author’s overarching claim about ordinary people’s capacity for success
Explanation:
Answer E
Correct. A base metal is a metal of little monetary value, as opposed to a precious metal like gold. In stating that “from apparently the basest metals we have the finest toned bells,” the author asserts that a material that is considered worthless can nevertheless become the medium for the beautiful sound of a high-quality bell. He notes that people who are not valued by society (“simple manhood,” “dregs of society”) can similarly achieve great things sometimes. He then observes that steel objects and rusty razors can actually improve in quality after being left “neglected and forgotten” in the dirt, reflecting that the most marginalized and maligned of people (“the lowly and despised”) can similarly become agents of “improvement and progress” for the world. The comparison between metals and people thus reinforces the author’s thesis that people who do not seem to possess great talent or many advantages can still achieve extraordinary things (“excellence often comes unheralded and from unexpected quarters”).
The lions symbolize<span> Santiago's lost youth as well as his pride (a group of </span>lions<span> is called a "pride"). ... Now that Santiago is no longer young, and has lost his friends, family, and strength, he sees the </span>lions<span> only in his dreams.</span>
Answer: Grandpa: 60 Granddaughter: 6
Explanation: When I first saw this, I noticed you can not get one solid whole number with a number like 54, so I rounded it up to 60, because 10 percent of 60 is 6. It IS possible for someone to be 5.4, but with age, not a lot of people care to go down to the decimal point. I then checked the other part. 60 IS 54 years more than 6, so 60 is correct.
