The Iraq War Blog We hear these stories every day and I expect it to happen to me or my kids. No one has protection. We leave our homes terrified and return the same way. Those relatives of ours own a shop and they have new cars. Those are the two things that attract thieves—especially since they don’t live in an expensive neighborhood. I called the boys to tell them I was going to be late, and went directly to our relative’s house. I got to the parking area of their building and parked my car. I calmly stepped out and knocked on the door. One of the guests opened it. The house was strangely silent, though full of people.

I said, “Al Salamu Alaikum. God willing he’ll be back safe.” I wasn’t sure what to say to someone on an occasion like this. The father thanked me and told me to go inside where the women were. He pointed to the right and I went to the room where the boy’s mother, her relatives, and neighbors were sitting. She was pale and her eyes were swollen. I held her to me and said, “Be patient and pray to God that he may be back safe.” I sat and listened to her telling the story.

Part A
Based on rhetoric in this passage, what is the author’s point of view and her purpose for writing?

A. The Iraqi people cannot be trusted; to argue for further intervention from occupation forces.

B. The war has had a negative impact on the Iraqi people; to inform readers about problems faced by everyday Iraqis.

C. The Iraqi people become emotional too easily; to criticize his or her fellow citizens for showing weakness.

D. People should look to God to solve their problems; to inform readers about his or her religious beliefs.

Part B
Which sentence or phrase from the passage supports your answer?

A. “Those relatives of ours own a shop and they have new cars. Those are the two things that attract thieves . . .”

B. “I held her to me and said, ‘Be patient and pray to God that he may be back safe.’”

C. “She was pale and her eyes were swollen.”

D. “We hear these stories every day and I expect it to happen to me or my kids. No one has protection.”