1. **State the problem:** We are asked to describe the slope of the line passing through the points $(-1, -2)$ and $(3, -2)$ and then find its slope. 2. **Recall the slope formula:** The slope $m$ of a line passing through points $(x_1, y_1)$ and $(x_2, y_2)$ is given by: $$m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}$$ 3. **Apply the formula:** Using the points $(-1, -2)$ and $(3, -2)$: $$m = \frac{-2 - (-2)}{3 - (-1)} = \frac{0}{4} = 0$$ 4. **Interpret the slope:** A slope of zero means the line is horizontal. 5. **Conclusion:** The slope of the line is zero, and the line is horizontal. **Final answer:** zero; 0