Read the excerpt from "A Quilt of a Country."
What is the denotative meaning of fault lines in this excerpt?
Once these disparate parts were held together by a common
enemy, by the fault lines of world wars and the electrified
fence of communism. With the end of the cold war there was
the creeping concern that without a focus for hatred and
distrust, a sense of national identity would evaporate, that the
left side of the hyphen-African-American, Mexican-
American, Irish-American-would overwhelm the right.
lines that are drawn when placing blame
areas of defense in times of war
long cracks in the surface of the earth
breaks in modern American Society

The connotative meaning of the "fault lines" in the excerpt is something that is powerful and threatening to others.

Explanation:

There may be "fault lines" that demarcates and separates people to people, but in times of crisis and common fight against evil such as terrorism, people forget their national identities and become Americans first. And this is what makes America great in comparison to any other country.

recent brain research has shown some surprising benefits as a result of formal musical training. learning to play a musical instrument appears to develop parts of the brain that can even influence academic results. the studies indicate that the earlier a child begins training, the more benefits there are. one such study showed that children who began musical studies before the age of seven had a more developed brain in the region where language production and auditory processing take place. scientists believe there is mounting evidence to show that early musical training can improve brain function.

explanation:

im not sure if its a or b but i think its b because of the past tense