Antonio had practiced his best for the chess tournament. He had read books about chess and played many games with his grandfather, a former grandmaster. Each day passed and brought Antonio closer to the tournament which, Antonio thought, would make him a champion. Each night, he thought about the possible moves of his opponents before he went to bed and dreamed about the game. He knew which meals could help him concentrate better and which outfit would keep him relaxed. If anybody was ready to win, it was Antonio Morales.
The much awaited day came, and Antonio's father drove him to the city hall. It was a cloudy day, and the parking lot of the city hall was overflowing with people. Just as Antonio stepped out of the car, he felt a sharp pain in his stomach. Before he knew it, he was throwing up on his new, plaid pants. There were only a few minutes left before the tournament, and Antonio had barely managed to clean up. Antonio sat on the chair rumbling, hustling, and breathing really fast. The game had begun before Antonio could gather himself. Just when things could not get worse, he knew his bishops on the board had already made his king open to a sure attack.
How does the plot affect the theme of the passage?
A.
The climax of the story makes the character interesting.
B.
The events that unfold determine the theme of the story.
C.
The chess tournament makes Antonio a hard-working boy.
D.
The main character's loss earns the reader's sympathy.
1 answer
B. The events that unfold determine the theme of the story.
In this passage, the challenges Antonio faces leading up to the chess tournament, including his sudden illness and the poor state of his game, highlight the themes of pressure, expectation, and the unpredictability of competition. These events shape the narrative and convey a deeper message about resilience and the reality of facing adversity, regardless of preparation.
