Question

Which passage most likely intends to create suspense?

Answer 1

C. Above the closed classroom door, the clock was ticking down the last 60 seconds of the science quiz. Hannah's heart beat faster as she attempted to scribble in answers and finish in time.

Option C is the best answer. Suspense is created when the author gives a feeling of uncertainty or anxiety about what will come next. In this option, the pace of Hannah's increasing heart beat and the clicking of the clock's seconds create a feeling of anxiety. The reader can sense the pressure for Hannah to finish the quiz in time and can hear the seconds tick as Hannah slowly runs out of time.

Option A is a beautiful description but there is no sense of urgency or apprehension about what comes next. Option B is also a description of a girl arranging stuffed animals on her bed. There is no apprehension or concern about what might happen next. Option D tells of a farmer's market closing down for day without any anxiety.

Answer 2

C. Above the closed classroom door, the clock was ticking down the last 60 seconds of the science quiz. Hannah's heart beat faster as she attempted to scribble in answers and finish in time.