Question

read the quotation from \an occurrence at owl creek bridge.\

and now he became conscious of a new disturbance. striking through the thought of his dear ones was a sound which he could neither ignore nor understand, a sharp, distinct, metallic percussion like the stroke of a blacksmiths hammer upon the anvil; it had the same ringing quality. he wondered what it was, and whether immeasurably distant or near by-it seemed both. its recurrence was regular, but as slow as the tolling of a death knell. he awaited each stroke with impatience and-he knew not why-apprehension. the intervals of silence grew progressively longer, the delays became maddening. with their greater infrequency the sounds increased in strength and sharpness. they hurt his ear like the thrust of a knife; he feared he would shriek. what he heard was the ticking of his watch.

which best describes the effect of the narration in the excerpt?

it suggests that the man feels tranquil and at peace.
it suggests that the narrator is sympathetic to the man.
it suggests that the plot will become less tense as the story continues.
it suggests that the story will become more intense and mysterious.

Explanation:

⚡ Using what you learned: inferential comprehension and textual evidence

Step 1: Analyze the text for tone and sensory details

The excerpt describes a character's heightened sensory perception right before a major event. The narrator uses intense, jarring descriptions of a sound:

• "sharp, distinct, metallic percussion"
• "death knell"
• "intervals of silence grew progressively longer, the delays became maddening"
• "hurt his ear like the thrust of a knife"

These descriptions build suspense and anxiety rather than peace or calm.

Step 2: Evaluate the options

• Option 1: "It suggests that the man feels tranquil and at peace."
• Incorrect. Words like "maddening," "apprehension," and "hurt his ear like the thrust of a knife" directly contradict a feeling of peace.
• Option 2: "It suggests that the narrator is sympathetic to the man."
• Incorrect. The narration is objective and focused on the psychological state of the character rather than expressing the narrator's personal sympathy.
• Option 3: "It suggests that the plot will become less tense as the story continues."
• Incorrect. The increasing distortion of time and the painful intensity of the sound indicate that tension is rising, not falling.
• Option 4: "It suggests that the story will become more intense and mysterious."
• Correct. The slow, distorted ticking of the watch and the character's growing dread ("he feared he would shriek") build a highly intense, mysterious, and suspenseful atmosphere.

Answer:

It suggests that the story will become more intense and mysterious.