This question is based on the following four sentences. 1. netta and jim argued over their views of free trade. 2. netta and jim had different views on free trade. 3. netta and jim were sharply split over the issue of free trade. 4. netta and jim refused to discuss the issue of free trade. 5. which of the four sentences is not neutral?

c. to depict the cunningness of the federal soldiers

the present continuous is a verb tense which is mainly used to indicates that an action is in progress at the moment of speaking.  

it is formed using: person + verb to be (am/is/are) +verb + - ing form  

example: i am studying at this moment .

in addition, the present continuous is also used in order to express things that will or will not happen in the near future.

example: i am having dinner with some friends tonight.

the speaker sometimes   uses it   to express that an action is repeated and it causes irritation on the part of the speaker

example: my sister is constantly complaining about everything.