In this part of the exam, indicate the main function of the term or phrase that is in boldface in the following passage. More than one letter might be acceptable, but you must choose only one option as the best. Consider these passages by Ben Selznik: “The drinking age is not set by the federal government; it is set by the states. Currently, each state has its law set at 21. However , this figure neither necessarily reflects research and careful consideration nor appeals to constituents. Instead, it reflects the fact that drinking age became tied to highway funds somewhere along the way. Because of this, were a state to lower their drinking age, they would also have to significantly raise taxes to offset the lost highway funds from the government. This hand-tying is asinine. If the drinking age is a state decision, it should be made by states independently of funds for highways. Before any progress can be made, lawmakers must sever this illogical connection.” “A fair portion of drinkers between the ages of 18 and 21 are at colleges where alcohol can be easily obtained.... [C]olleges know full well that underage drinking exists. Students know that they are drinking underage and therefore illegally. And yet, the game continues with colleges trying to make sure that no alcohol-related tragedies occur. This game isn’t the fault of colleges, nor is it the fault of students. Instead, it is the fault of our law, which classifies part of this college-age set as “underage” and the rest as “of age.” When it comes to colleges, our law simply doesn’t reflect reality. It must therefore be changed.”