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

Question

I was speaking to a pollster during the recent elections and I asked him why, when I see polling results do I see a breakdown of results by gender – men and women, by age – old and young, and also by race – African American and Latinx, but rarely do I see a polling category for Asian Americans. After I asked why, he looked me dead in the eye and said “Because Asian Americans are considered ‘statistically insignificant.’” Those words rang in my ears. Statistically insignificant. Now all of you listening to me here, by virtue of your own elections, are more familiar with the intricacies of polling than I am, so undoubtedly, you already know what this means – statistically insignificant literally means that we don’t matter.

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

Use the passage from the Written Statement of Daniel Dae Kim to answer the question.
Question 1
Which rhetorical technique is used in the passage?(1 point)
Responses

metaphor
metaphor

anecdote
anecdote

rhetorical question
rhetorical question

understatement
understatement
Question 2
What is the author’s purpose in using understatement in this passage?(1 point)
Responses

to remind the audience of a shared experience
to remind the audience of a shared experience

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

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

to make a subtly humorous appeal to the audience
to make a subtly humorous appeal to the audience
Question 3
What effect does the author’s use of repetition have on his argument?(1 point)
Responses

It adds humor and lightheartedness.
It adds humor and lightheartedness.

It makes the argument more powerful.
It makes the argument more powerful.

It weakens the author’s argument.
It weakens the author’s argument.

It leaves the author’s intentions ambiguous.
It leaves the author’s intentions ambiguous.
Question 4
What does the word choice of the passage reveal about the speaker’s point of view concerning anti-Asian sentiment?(1 point)
Responses

The word disheartened reveals the speaker thinks the problem is not being adequately addressed.
The word disheartened reveals the speaker thinks the problem is not being adequately addressed.

The word honored reveals the speaker thinks the problem is nearly over.
The word honored reveals the speaker thinks the problem is nearly over.



The word simple reveals the author thinks the problem is easily solvable.

The word simple reveals the author thinks the problem is easily solvable.

The word recall reveals the speaker thinks the problem is long forgotten.

Answer 1

Here are the answers based on the passage provided:

Question 1: Which rhetorical technique is used in the passage?

• Response: anecdote.
  (Explanation: The speaker shares a personal experience with a pollster to illustrate a larger point about the perceived insignificance of Asian Americans in polling data.)

Question 2: What is the author’s purpose in using understatement in this passage?

• Response: to remind the audience of a shared experience.
  (Explanation: The use of understatement emphasizes the minimal representation of Asian Americans in polling, inviting the audience to reflect on and connect with this shared concern.)

Question 3: What effect does the author’s use of repetition have on his argument?

• Response: It makes the argument more powerful.
  (Explanation: The repetition of phrases like "statistically insignificant" reinforces the message about the marginalization of Asian Americans, thus strengthening the argument.)

Question 4: What does the word choice of the passage reveal about the speaker’s point of view concerning anti-Asian sentiment?

• Response: The word disheartened reveals the speaker thinks the problem is not being adequately addressed.
  (Explanation: The choice of the word "disheartened" suggests disappointment and concern over the lack of effective action against anti-Asian sentiment.)