Question

how does the reader know that this passage is written in the third - person limited point of view?
at the school dance, bea quickly glanced across the room at mario, wondering if he was ever going to ask her to dance. mario saw her look at him and then quickly left the gym as bea stared after him in confusion.
a. the focus of the narration is on the reader as a character, which draws the reader into the action.
b. the focus of the narration is on all the characters equally, allowing the reader complete insight into their thoughts.
c. the focus of the narration is on one characters thoughts and feelings that are told from an outside perspective.
d. the focus of the narration is on the main character, who speaks as herself and tells her own thoughts and feelings.

Explanation:

Third - person limited point of view means the narrator is outside the story (not a character like in first - person) and focuses on one character's thoughts and feelings. In the passage, we know Bea's thoughts (wondering if Mario will ask her to dance) but not Mario's. Option C correctly describes this as it mentions focus on one character's thoughts from an outside perspective. Option A is wrong as the focus is not on the reader. Option B is incorrect because it's not on all characters equally. Option D is wrong as it's not the main character telling her own story (which would be first - person).

Answer:

C. The focus of the narration is on one character's thoughts and feelings that are told from an outside perspective.