Question

select the correct answer from the drop-down menu.

read paragraph 8 from the passage.

(8) ...\ive often sailed in these seas, and i know that while some of the traders sailing between these islands and south america and other parts are decentish enough, others are not. but thats not the point. i have overheard, of late, some of the rascals plotting to murder the officers and take this ship. but i cannot point em out, for though i heard their voices i couldnt see their faces. i think i know who they are, but could not swear to em, and it would be worse than useless to denounce them till we have some evidence to go on. i therefore want you to help me with your advice and assistance, so that we may get up a counterplot to spoil their fun-for im quite certain that if we fail to-hark! whats that?\

this underlined sentence starts to build tension because
choose an answer

• the pace of the story changes when captain dall abruptly stops speaking
• the reader knows something that captain dall and will osten do not
• captain dall and will osten are planning a counterplot which might go wrong
• captain dall was asking will osten to help spoil the others plans

Explanation:

Analyze the underlined sentence

The underlined sentence is: "I therefore want you to help me with your advice and assistance, so that we may get up a counterplot to spoil their fun—for I'm quite certain that if we fail to—hark! what's that?"

Examine the structure and punctuation

The sentence is interrupted mid-thought by an em dash ("—") followed by an exclamation and a sudden question: "—hark! what's that?". This indicates an abrupt stop in Captain Dall's speech due to an unexpected sound or event.

Evaluate the options

• Option 1: "the pace of the story changes when Captain Dall abruptly stops speaking"

This option directly addresses the sudden interruption ("—hark! what's that?") which changes the pacing from a planned discussion to immediate, real-time danger, building suspense and tension.

• Option 2: "the reader knows something that Captain Dall and Will Osten do not"

There is no dramatic irony indicated here; the reader only knows what is happening in the dialogue.

• Option 3: "Captain Dall and Will Osten are planning a counterplot which might go wrong"

While they mention a counterplot, the immediate tension in this specific sentence comes from the sudden interruption, not the long-term planning.

• Option 4: "Captain Dall was asking Will Osten to help spoil the others' plans"

This is a factual summary of the first part of the sentence, but it does not explain how the sentence starts to build tension through its dramatic interruption.

Determine the correct choice

The sudden break in speech ("—hark! what's that?") alters the narrative pace and signals immediate danger, which is the primary mechanism for building tension in this line. Therefore, the first option is correct.

Answer:

• (A) the pace of the story changes when Captain Dall abruptly stops speaking (Correct answer)
• (B) the reader knows something that Captain Dall and Will Osten do not
• (C) Captain Dall and Will Osten are planning a counterplot which might go wrong
• (D) Captain Dall was asking Will Osten to help spoil the others' plans