The correct answer is the last option - MRS. HALE (stiffly).
It is the only stage direction among the choices above which shows that the character is supposed to depict some kind of emotion (in this case, a stiff emotion). The other options are just examples of what the character should do and behave like, but they don't mention feelings.
He is debating upon if death is like a long sleep and if it will be like him beggining a new life
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The word that the adverb would modify is an adjective. So what's the adjective in the sentence?
The answer is (a.) independent clause
An independent clause or usually referred as the main clause is a clause that can stand by itself as a sentence. The independent clause can be a complete sentence because it contains a subject and a predicate.
"<span>It makes the reader aware of the key actors in the unfolding narration" would be the best answer. It's important to establish key characters early on so the reader is confused later. </span>