Question 3 • CMS 2026-2027 English III CREDIT RECOVERY
Read the excerpt from "Mother Tongue." I am a writer. And by that definition, I am someone who has always loved language. I am fascinated by language in daily life. I spend a great deal of my time thinking about the power of language—the way it can evoke an emotion, a visual image, a complex idea, or a simple truth. Language is the tool of my trade. And I use them all—all the Englishes I grew up with. How does Tan build a central idea of her story in the excerpt?
Answer
A
Tan references her thoughts about language to build the idea that more people should think about their language usage.
B
Tan references her work with language to build the idea that all forms of English are purposeful and meaningful.
C
Tan references her writing career to build the idea that writing is the most satisfying career choice for Asian Americans.
D
Tan references her fascination with language to build the idea that daily life is the best language source for writers.
Explanation
Tan says language is her “tool of my trade” and that she uses “all the Englishes” she grew up with. This connects her work as a writer to the idea that different forms of English can all be useful and meaningful. Choice D best expresses that idea; the excerpt does not argue that writing is the best career for Asian Americans.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.