Question

Read this excerpt from Dean Kamen's "On Becoming an Inventor." I had just finished making a complicated piece of equipment that was to be used for a show opening in Philadelphia called "Fiorello." When the machine arrived they had trouble wiring it, so instead of going off to college that morning for an orientation, I spent several days at the theater fixing my light/sound equipment. The show received poor reviews, except for the mention by one reviewer of the "special effects," which, he wrote, were "outstanding."
How does the writing shape readers' impressions?

Kamen's opinion seems to be that machines are more important than anything else. He supports this with an example of his work on a machine for a show in Philadelphia. His tone is formal and directed at a scholarly audience.

Kamen’s opinion seems to be that hard work can overcome any obstacles. He supports this with an example of hard work on a light machine. His tone is humorous and directed at young audience.

Kamen’s opinion seems to be that his inventions are more important to him than other activities. He supports this by sharing an example of skipping college orientation to fix sound equipment. His tone is informal and directed at a general audience.

Kamen's opinion seems to be that special effects can make a show outstanding. He supports this with an example of his own special effects machine. His tone is formal and directed at a scientific audience.

Answer 1

Answer:

I'm pretty sure it's B

Explanation:

:)

Answer 2

Answer:

Kamen’s opinion seems to be that his inventions are more important to him than other activities. He supports this by sharing an example of skipping college orientation to fix sound equipment. His tone is informal and directed at a general audience.  

Explanation:

The writing shapes the above view in the following ways:

1.1 Kamen’s opinion seems to be that his inventions are more important to him than other activities right from the beginning of the excerpt, which starts with him having finished making a machine.  

1.2 Later in the excerpt, the readers come to know that he had skipped his college orientation to fix his equipment. The fact that the orientation was only mentioned in relation to his machine (which is the focus of the excerpt throughout), and not as a separate event, builds the opinion further.

2. Kamen refers to his machine as a “complicated piece of equipment” and as “light/sound equipment”, without using any technical jargon. This sets the informal tone which can be understood by a general audience without any pre-requisite knowledge of machines.