At 7:30 p.m., Mr. Nixon again left the White House for the short walk to the Executive Office Building. The crowd outside the ga
tes waved U.S. flags and sang “America” as he walked slowly up the steps, his head bowed, alone. Which details of this excerpt refine the central idea that the resignation of the president is a historical event? the informal tone and the fact that the president was alone and walking slowly the informal tone and the time of day that Nixon walked to the Executive Office Building the formal tone and the description of the crowd waving flags and singing patriotic songs the formal tone and the fact that Nixon walked to the Executive Office Building
the formal tone and the description of the crowd waving flags and singing patriotic songs.
Explanation:
The formal tone used in this passage, along with the description of the crowd waving flags and singing patriotic songs refine the central idea that the resignation of the President is a historical event. If the event was common, or expected, then it is unlikely that people would have gathered in such great displays of patriotism. Moreover, the formal tone of the passage contributes to the idea that the event is something that deserved solemnity.
