Question

Read the following excerpt from the article "Vision, Voice and the Power of Creation: An Author Speaks Out," by T. A. Barron and answer the question that follows: Right now, I am spending a lot of time listening to the voice of a particularly compelling character: the young Merlin. In the end, I finally heard the voice of Merlin thanks to a surprising source: the haunting, mysterious hooting of a great horned owl outside the window of my Colorado home. As I listened to that owl's resonant [echoing] call in the pre-dawn hours one morning, something about it gave me a whole new cadence [rhythm], a whole new sound. And then, a whole new voice. Which adjective supports the author's explicit message about his inspiration for Merlin's voice?

Answer 1

The adjective that supports the author's explicit message about his inspiration for Merlin's voice is the word surprising.

Explanation: The author specifies that he has been thinking a lot about the voice for the character Merlin. Barron explains that he gained his inspiration from an unexpected creature; the horned owl from outside his window. His message is that writers can be creative by finding inspiration from the places they least expect.

Answer 2

Haunting and mysterious.
Both these words are beyond our normal 5 senses. He was moved by something beyond what could be heard or seen (smelled or touch or tasted for that matter). When the owls voice sounded, it was as though a wish had been granted.