Explanation:
(to be doing something) as we speak: (to be in the middle of doing something) at this exact moment, right now
idiom
They are looking for a solution to this problem as we speak. They are trying to solve the problem right now.
1. I believe the answer is: foreshadowed
Foreshadow refers to the warning of the events that might occur in the future. The foreshadowing is shown especially on this phrase: . . . .<em>portended a disastrous outcome</em> . . . This give warning to the readers to expect some sort of tragedy or disaster might happen to the character as the story move forward.
2.I believe the answer is: Firewood
The mother in the story is not interested in the revolution like the other men in the family did. The main focus of the mother is only to get the things that are necessary to help the family survive in current time, such as obtaining enough food and firewood.
3. I believe the answer is: overnight.
In the story, the soldiers appear without any warning and surprised all the people in that territory. They also seemed really tired from their facial expression and their posture, which indicates that they've been moving without rest for a long period of time.
4. I believe the answer is: His Goat
The goat has eaten all the grass on the place where the narrator initially placed him on. Because the goat is feeling sad and hungry, it decided to found grass to other place, which eventually bring it to the front of the post office where the narrator found it.
5. I believe the answer is the first one
<em>The time keeper started the clock and then stops it abruptly.</em>
The usage of the word 'started' on the sentence above indicates the use of past tenses. But this is followed by unnecessary shift in states by the usage of the word 'stops' (verb+s/es) which indicates the use of present tense.
Assuming that you're talking about the passage about Joe Wilson and his mates, the inference that you can make is : The narrator was attracted to Mary.
You can see it on how the narrator said that his heart skipped when he saw Mary, etc
hope this helps
