Question

So it was not impossible that I,
Banished to the outfield and daydreaming
Of water, or a hotel in the mountains,
Would suddenly find myself in the path
Of a ball stung by Joe Barone.
I watched it closing in
Clean and untouched, transfixed
By its easy arc before it hit
My forehead with a thud.

—"How I Learned English,"
Gregory Djanikian

What types of details does the author describe to draw the reader into the scene? Check all that apply.

tastes
sounds
sights
thoughts
smells

Answer 1

In the excerpt from "How I Learned English" by Gregory Djanikian, the author draws the reader into the scene using the following types of details:

- **Sights**: The description of the ball's "easy arc" and its approach creates a visual image for the reader.
- **Thoughts**: The speaker's daydreaming about "water, or a hotel in the mountains" reveals their inner thoughts and adds depth to the scene.

The excerpt does not strongly convey tastes, sounds, or smells. Therefore, the correct options are sights and thoughts.