"Daniel Dae Kim statement to the U.S. House Committee"

Question

by Daniel Dae Kim

Now I’m not naïve enough to think I’m going to convince all of you to stand up for us. Trust me, I’ve seen your voting records. But I’m speaking more to the members to whom humanity still matters, more than partisan posturing. Because we need allies. This kind of systemic change absolutely requires it.

Daniel Dae Kim written statement to the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, March 18, 2021

Question
Use the passage from the Written Statement of Daniel Dae Kim to answer the question.

What is the author’s purpose in using understatement in this passage?

(1 point)
Responses

to encourage the audience to ask questions
to encourage the audience to ask questions

to make a subtly humorous appeal to the audience
to make a subtly humorous appeal to the audience

to compare the actions of various audience members
to compare the actions of various audience members

to remind the audience of a shared experience

Answer 1

The author’s purpose in using understatement in this passage is to make a subtly humorous appeal to the audience. By acknowledging his awareness of their voting records in a light manner, Daniel Dae Kim is using understatement to establish a connection with the audience while also emphasizing the seriousness of the situation he is addressing.