Question

read the excerpt from little women by louisa may alcott. answer the question that follows.

laurie had vanished round the bend, jo was just at the turn, and amy, far behind, striking out toward the smoother ice in the middle of the river. for a minute jo stood still with a strange feeling in her heart, then she resolved to go on, but something held and turned her round, just in time to see amy throw up her hands and go down, with a sudden crash of rotten ice, the splash of water, and a cry that made jos heart stand still with fear. she tried to call laurie, but her voice was gone. she tried to rush forward, but her feet seemed to have no strength in them, and for a second, she could only stand motionless, staring with a terror - stricken face at the little blue hood above the black water. something rushed swiftly by her, and lauries voice cried out...

what mood is created in the excerpt?

• melancholy, because the description of the day and characters actions are sad and gloomy
• suspense, because the passage builds up tension and leaves the reader on edge
• anger, because the passage reveals an injustice that has occurred
• joy, because the passage describes a happy event a character fondly remembers

Explanation:

The excerpt describes Amy falling through the ice, Jo's panicked reaction, and a sudden event with Laurie. The situation is tense (e.g., Amy's danger, Jo's fear, the abrupt action with Laurie), creating a sense of suspense as readers wonder what will happen next. "Melancholy" is incorrect as the tone is tense, not gloomy - sad. "Anger" is wrong as no injustice is shown. "Joy" is incorrect as the event is dangerous, not happy.

Answer:

B. Suspense, because the passage builds up tension and leaves the reader on edge