Question

The group of boys had been eagerly gathering dry leaves and branches to build a signal fire. Ralph, determined to be rescued, emphasized the importance of keeping the fire going. "We must make smoke on top of the mountain. We must make a fire," he said.
Jack seized the opportunity and volunteered his hunters to tend to the fire. The boys worked together, but in their excitement and inexperience, the fire quickly grew out of control. Flames leaped up, devouring the dry forest. The boys stood back, frightened by the inferno they had unleashed.

Piggy, who had been cautious and hesitant from the start, scolded the group. "You got your small fire all right," he said, "but what about the little ones? What about the boys who might still be in the forest?"

A tense silence followed as they realized the possible consequences of their actions. The excitement that had filled the air moments before was replaced by a heavy sense of dread

he phrase “tense silence” in the excerpt is used to:


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10 points
a) Indicate the boys’ relief after the fire is under control
b) Suggest the boys are confused about what to do next
c) Show the boys are reflecting on the potential consequences of their actions
d) Illustrate the boys’ excitement about their accomplishments

Answer 1

The phrase “tense silence” in the excerpt is used to:

c) Show the boys are reflecting on the potential consequences of their actions