Question 13

The author of the passage quotes a named authority.

In the passage, the author references opinions from Western Union executives regarding the telephone, which serves as a quote from named authorities in the context of communication technologies.

A) Relates a personal anecdote

The passage does not include any personal anecdotes or experiences from the author. Instead, it focuses on external opinions and general observations about social networking and communication.

B) Provides statistical data

There is no statistical data presented in the passage. Although a poll is mentioned, it is not accompanied by specific numerical data or detailed statistics that would typically characterize this option.

C) Quotes a named authority

The author does quote named authorities by mentioning the executives of Western Union who expressed their skepticism about the telephone as a communication method. This highlights the viewpoint of credible figures in the context of technological advancements.

D) Challenges an official view

While the author discusses differing perspectives on social media, they do not explicitly challenge an official view. The focus is more on contrasting opinions rather than outright opposition to a recognized position or authority.

Conclusion

The correct answer is C because the passage includes a reference to a specific authority—Western Union executives—regarding their views on the telephone. Options A, B, and D are incorrect as they either misinterpret the text's content or fail to identify the presence of authoritative commentary, which is crucial to understanding the author's perspective on communication technologies.