A, definitely since it's in its simplest form.
The correct answer is: serious and matter-of-fact.
When writing an objective piece of writing, it is important to keep the tone formal. It should be serious and matter-of-fact so that the audience will take your topic seriously. This way, you will convey your message objectively and the audience will know that the message is important.
Poetry tells a story and expresses emotion in a way that is concise, emotionally charged, and musical. There are different types like a narrative and lyric. A narative tells a story, which has a plot and characters. A lyric poem is more about feelings and emotions. The speaker is the character.
Simple.
“to cross the finish line” is a preposition, so it doesn’t count.
You’re left with: Arun was the first. One independent clause, so it’s a simple sentence.