In the third sentence of the third paragraph, the phrase “however volatile” primarily serves to
A. suggest that a characteristic of witty people is more common than generally supposed

B. demonstrate wit by developing a metaphor introduced earlier in the passage

C. identify one of the weaknesses typically exhibited by imaginative minds

D. qualify a generalization by narrowing the set of people to which it applies

E. strengthen a claim by indicating that it applies even to exceptional cases

Correct. In this sentence, the author makes the claim that melancholy can make one’s imagination “torpid” (sluggish), and that lack of appropriate occasions can prevent the mind from coming up with “sallies and excursions” (clever remarks). He strengthens the claim by extending it to the most exceptional cases when he indicates that it applies to any mind “however volatile,” that is, even to those that are normally the liveliest and most wide-ranging.

Ajeigbeibraheemgo Ajeigbeibraheemgo · Answer 2

The phrase "however volatile" primarily means to strengthen a claim by indicating that it applies even to exceptional cases.

Option E is correct.

What is the meaning of the word volatile?

The meaning of the word volatile is the ability of something to change abruptly or quickly without a prior prediction. However, its context usage may differ when used in a sentence.

The author claims in this statement that sadness may make one's imagination slow and that an absence of appropriate situations can prohibit the mind from emerging with "sallies and explorations".

He supports the assertion by expanding it to the most extreme circumstances when he says it relates to any mind i.e. "however volatile," which implies to those that are generally the most lively and diverse.

Learn more about the word volatile here:

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