Question

select the correct answer.

which event did the author use to create tension in the text?

laurence calls out to esther and places his hands on her shoulders to cajole her into coming back inside.
esther is in the store and is overcome by sensory memories of her home and desperately wants to return there.
father paul reads aloud the evening prayers in the large room beyond the hallway where esther could hear him.
esther overhears the traders at the post worrying that all their hard work would be lost if she went back to her pagan ways.

Explanation:

Analyze the question prompt

The question asks which specific event the author uses to create tension in the text. This requires Textual Analysis of the narrative dynamics.

Evaluate the options using narrative principles

Using the Narrative Tension knowledge point:

• Option 1 describes Laurence physically touching Esther's shoulders to cajole her back inside. This direct physical intervention and persuasion creates immediate interpersonal friction and suspense.
• Option 2 describes internal sensory memories, which establish character depth rather than active narrative tension.
• Option 3 describes a background action (Father Paul reading prayers), which is peaceful rather than tense.
• Option 4 describes traders worrying about their work, which is a passive concern rather than an active event generating immediate scene-level tension.

Identify the correct event

The physical action of Laurence placing his hands on Esther's shoulders to cajole her represents a direct, active confrontation that generates immediate narrative suspense and tension.

Answer:

• (A) Laurence calls out to Esther and places his hands on her shoulders to cajole her into coming back inside. (Correct answer)
• (B) Esther is in the store and is overcome by sensory memories of her home and desperately wants to return there.
• (C) Father Paul reads aloud the evening prayers in the large room beyond the hallway where Esther could hear him.
• (D) Esther overhears the traders at the post worrying that all their hard work would be lost if she went back to her pagan ways.