Question

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Explanation:

Analyze the author's pacing in the excerpt

Using the Pacing in Literature knowledge point, we observe how the author compresses time. In paragraph [15], the author lists many daily chores in rapid succession ("She washed the dishes... she washed the soiled linen... she carried the slops..."). Then, paragraph [16] suddenly condenses a decade into a single short sentence: "This life lasted ten years." This rapid summary of ten years of grueling labor represents a fast narrative pace.

Evaluate the effect of pacing on narrative tension

Using the Narrative Tension knowledge point, we examine how this fast pace affects the reader's experience. By summarizing ten years of hardship and the rapid execution of daily struggles in just a few sentences, the author quickly moves past the daily grind to show the resolution of their debt. This rapid movement through time eases the prolonged, agonizing suspense of their poverty, transitioning the reader swiftly to the completion of their payment in paragraph [17]. Therefore, the author speeds up the pace to ease the tension.

Compare with the multiple-choice options

We evaluate the four given options:

• Option 1 suggests the author speeds up the pace to build tension. However, fast-forwarding through ten years of struggle resolves the suspense of their daily misery rather than building it.
• Option 2 states the author speeds up the pace to ease tension. This matches our analysis, as compressing ten years of struggle into a brief summary quickly resolves the stressful period of debt.
• Option 3 and Option 4 suggest the author slows down the pace, which is incorrect because ten years of life are summarized in a single sentence, indicating a very fast pace.

Answer:

• The author speeds up the pace to build tension as readers learn how Madame Loisel's life changed after she lost the necklace.
• The author speeds up the pace to ease tension as readers learn how Madame Loisel's life changed after she lost the necklace. (Correct answer)
• The author slows down the pace to ease tension as readers learn how Madame Loisel's life changed after she lost the necklace.
• The author slows down the pace to build tension as readers learn how Madame Loisel's life changed after she lost the necklace.