Indicate a text span in the passage about which an inquisitive question is asked. (note, don't answer the question).

Let me give you an example: Sentence: The Obama administration is developing additional screening protocols for airline passengers both overseas and in the United States to control infectious diseases such as Ebola, President Barack Obama said Monday .<sep>Question: What was the duration of the Obama administration?
The answer to this example can be: Obama administration
Here is why: It guesses the right span of the sentence where the question is from.

OK. solve this:
Sentence: Ashton - Tate Corp . reported a net loss of $ 19 . 4 million , or 74 cents a share , for the third quarter , which was burdened by severance costs and the expense of upgrading its database software inventories .<sep>Question: Why was there such a big debt in severance?
Answer:
severance