GIVING BRAINLIEST this is an assignment so im giving extra points if you do it correctly, you don't have to make it perfect. (no links/spam/or stealing points. i will report your account as well as 5 other accounts reporting you.) -if you answer correctly ill give you brainliest which will give you 40pts-

Plz asap read this sentence from paragraph 3 of the article. the boys and girls are merely asked to obtain the signatures of ten friends or relatives. how does the word "merely" affect the meaning of the sentence? a- it suggests that asking people to subscribe to the washington times is something negative. b- it implies that obtaining ten signatures is not a requirement for receiving a prize. c- it downplays the fact that to win the prize, children must ask people to subscribe to the washington times. d- it emphasizes that children receive the prize only if they obtain ten signatures.