Question

Which best describes how the pacing of events heightens tension? The group of friends has a fixed amount of time to finish painting the stars in Terry’s room. The group of friends must finish painting the stars while Terry waits downstairs with her mother. The group of friends wants to leave Terry’s house after they finish painting stars in her room. The group of friends do not think they can finish painting the stars before Terry returns.

Answer 1

The group of friends do not think they can finish painting the stars before terry returns.

Answer 2

The answer is:

The group of friends do not think they can finish painting the stars before Terry returns.    

Pace is a continuous or steady speed. In the chosen sentence, the fact that the group of friends must finish painting something before Terry returns intensifies the apprehension of the group. In that respect, they are moving  quickly or in a hurry because they wish to bring the painting of the stars to an end in anticipation of Terry's arrival.