Question

Todd raised his voice, rolled his eyes. The soldiers around him stood closer, barking admonitions and threats back at him.

“Why are we here?” he asked a passing soldier.

“You guys are al Qaeda,” the soldier said.

Todd laughed derisively, but Zeitoun was startled. He could not have heard right.

Why does the author describe this encounter?
to illustrate Todd’s casual rapport with the soldiers
to emphasize the weight of racist assumptions
to reveal a language barrier between Todd and the soldiers
to indicate Todd’s involvement with terrorist groups

Answer 1

to emphasize the weight of racist assumptions

The soldier’s immediate labeling of them as “al Qaeda,” despite Todd’s reaction and Zeitoun’s shock, highlights the soldiers’ prejudiced assumption rather than any real evidence or communication barrier.