Ji had her art supplies packed in a plastic bin strapped to the back of her bike. She’d left her house before dawn to catch the sunrise over the Pacific. Her dad had fussed over her by making sure she had her reflective gear on and in working order. He’d also made her check twice that she had her cellphone. Grateful for her father’s attentions and anxious to be free of them, Ji had set out at a moderate pace while most high school kids slept in on a Saturday. Ji peddled on and thought about how she loved to capture her surroundings at sunrise: the tipuana tree near her back patio, the tram map at the Lemon Grove station that would take her to downtown San Diego, the evening primroses that would stay open until the high, hot sun shined at noon. Today, Ji planned to sketch at the beach and decide on a new color pallet for her next painting. Once at the beach, Ji unpacked her sketchbook, pencils, and paint pens. She spread her wind jacket on the sand like it was a blanket and began drawing. *** Before dawn on Saturday, Asher’s running shoes smacked the damp sand on the beach. On his left, waves rolled in an even rhythm that sent up frothy white fingers that scraped the shore and receded. Here, then gone. Here, then gone. The words matched his footfalls. Asher didn’t mind the semi-darkness but looked forward to the sky breaking with light. Coach had suggested the team put in extra endurance and weight work this weekend. Their high school volleyball team had a chance to go far this season; he dreamed of making it to the state championship game, but the competition was fierce. Minutes ticked by with Asher’s legs and arms pumping. A crack of slender pink-orange light stretched on the horizon, just enough that Asher saw something massive and heaving on the shore in front of him. Panicky and uncertain of what was in his path, he felt goosebumps rise on his skin. After a few strides closer to the giant form, he had a strange, uncanny feeling he knew what it was, and because of this, he didn’t turn back. He ran towards it.

Question

Analyze how this parallel plot creates tension.

A. The parallel plots set up a scene where two characters meet to find out about something mysterious on the beach.
B. The parallel plots introduce two friends who are doing different activities on a Saturday morning, and this creates problems with the friendship.
C. The parallel plots present two characters who go to the same high school but don’t know each other, and there is a possibility of them meeting on the beach.
D. The parallel plots describe two unrelated characters who will likely interact in the same setting with an unknown form on the beach.

Answer 1

The correct answer that best analyzes how the parallel plot creates tension is:

D. The parallel plots describe two unrelated characters who will likely interact in the same setting with an unknown form on the beach.

This choice captures the essence of the tension created by having two characters—Ji and Asher—engaged in their individual activities, both drawn to the same location at the beach where something mysterious awaits them. The anticipation of their potential interaction, combined with the unknown element on the beach, builds suspense and highlights the contrasting experiences they are having while leading towards a possible convergence. The uncertainty about what the massive form is, and the fact that both characters are approaching it from different perspectives adds to the tension, as readers become eager to see how their stories will intersect.