Read the passage. The man sat in his car, silently preparing for the interview. He reread his notes and practiced how he would answer specific questions. He forgot some of what he wanted to say, which distracted him from his task. He started to ask himself different questions, such as "What if I don’t say the right things?” and "What if I don’t know the answer to a question?” He felt himself start to sweat as these new questions presented themselves. He really needed the job, as his rent was coming due. However, he knew that feeling calm was just as important in an interview as being prepared. He had a few minutes left before his interview time, so he closed his eyes and began to picture a forest scene with a river and tall trees. "I’ve got this,” he reminded himself. Which detail best creates an anxious mood in the passage?
Answer
A
“He . . . practiced how he would answer specific questions.”
B
“He really needed the job, as his rent was coming due.”
C
“The man sat in his car, silently preparing for the interview.”
D
“He had a few minutes left before his interview time.”
Explanation
The detail that he really needed the job because his rent was coming due creates the strongest anxious mood by showing the serious consequences if the interview goes badly. The other details describe preparing or waiting, but they do not show the same pressure.
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