Read the paragraph from Nick’s personal narrative.Standing alone in my family’s barn, I thought about how much hard work and time my parents had invested—how much hard work and time we had all invested—in maintaining a fully operational farm. I did not remember a time when my clothes had not reeked of manure or my hair had not held fast to brittle pieces of straw. What would happen if my parents had to sell the farm so we could move closer to my grandparents? Just as I was attempting to imagine a life in the city, a sudden commotion erupted and interrupted my thoughts. With animals squawking and dust flying, I scrambled to pinpoint the source of this unexpected intrusion. In seconds that felt more like minutes, I was successful . . . and I could scarcely believe what my eyes were seeing.
Answer
A
It allows Nick to include extra details as he develops the events that lead to the most exciting parts of his story.
B
It allows Nick to surprise the reader by disrupting the calm setting with unexpected excitement.
C
It allows Nick to omit the conclusion because he states his feelings at the beginning of the narrative.
D
It allows Nick to choose which events he will include and which events he would like to eliminate.
Explanation
The paragraph begins with Nick thinking quietly about his family’s farm and the possibility of moving. Then a sudden commotion interrupts those thoughts, bringing animals squawking and dust flying. This shift from a calm setting to unexpected excitement surprises the reader, so the best choice is “It allows Nick to surprise the reader by disrupting the calm setting with unexpected excitement.”
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.