Question

What is the climax of the passage? Mason was walking through the mall, wondering what he should buy for his mother. Today was her birthday. Mason had struggled all week trying to find the perfect gift, but nothing seemed right. He first thought about getting her a dress, only to realize that he had no idea what size she wore. Then he thought he’d get her a book, since his mother loved to read. But the book shop was large, and Mason couldn’t be sure which books she had already read. He thought to himself, “I don't know what Mom likes. I want to get her something that will make her happy.” That’s when he saw Little Potter’s Florist and Gardening Shop. His mother loved gardening! Mason ran over to the store. The owner of the store, Angela, was surprised to see Mason. Mason told her he was there to get a gift for his mother. Angela wrapped up five packets of seeds, five planters, and a new weeding fork. She also put together a fresh bouquet of roses for Mason to give to his mother. When the time came to present his gift to his mother, Mason grew anxious. He didn’t know whether or not she would like the gardening supplies. He wondered if he should have bought a dress like he had initially planned. Of course, it was too late to make a change, so he went to the kitchen where his mom was busy preparing a chicken dinner. Mason sneaked behind her and placed the gift on the table. He held out the bouquet and shouted, "Happy Birthday, Mama!" His mother was startled, but she accepted the bouquet with a smile. As she began to open the package, Mason could feel nervousness creeping up on him again. His mom remained silent as she removed the contents of the package. She then turned and hugged Mason with tears in her eyes. Mason knew his mother loved the gifts. She always cried when she was really happy.

Answer 1

The climax is part of a story where the tension oc action reaches to the highest, sometimes the climax is a crisis or sometimes is when things come to a head or when the caratcter has to take a decision which lead him to a resolution.

In the passage Mason tries to find a good present to his mother, he finally bought something (gardening supplies and flowers), Mason was afraid thinking if his mother would like it or not.

So the climax is: Mason sneaked behind her and placed the gift on the table. He held out the bouquet and shouted, "Happy Birthday, Mama!" His mother was startled, but she accepted the bouquet with a smile. As she began to open the package, Mason could feel nervousness creeping up on him again. His mom remained silent as she removed the contents of the package.

The resolution is that she loved it.

Answer 2

The climax of a story is the part of the story with the highest tension. In the story, there is a set of tense events but the climax is the most tense  point and it is followed by a release of tension. Therefore, the climax is the highest and the last point of the succesion of tense events.

As she began to open the package, Mason could feel nervousness creeping up on him again." Climax

Then, after removing the contents from the package , his mother hugged Mason with tears in her eyes. This released the tension.