Question

What does the repetition of the phrase “It’s your own choosing” by the man with the withered arm at the beginning of the story reveal about him?



A
He expects the narrator to regret his decision by the morning.



B
He does not want any responsibility for the narrator’s fate.



C
He thinks the narrator should reconsider his course of action.



D
He seeks to verify that the narrator truly wants to visit the room.

Read the following sentence from the section "A Waiting Stillness Was Over Everything."


In one place there was a distinct echo to my footsteps, the noises I made seemed so little that they enhanced rather than broke the silence of the place.



What is the BEST definition of the word “enhanced” as it is used above?



A
finished



B
intensified



C
hastened



D
spoiled

Read the following sentence from the section "A Waiting Stillness Was Over Everything."


Here it was, thought I, that my predecessor was found, and the memory of that story gave me a sudden twinge of apprehension.



What is the connotation of the word “sudden” as the author uses it?



A
hurried



B
automatic



C
crushing



D
unexpected

Answer 1

1) B — He does not want any responsibility for the narrator’s fate.
- Repeating “It’s your own choosing” shifts responsibility to the narrator and shows the man is distancing himself from the outcome.

2) B — intensified.
- “Enhanced” here means the small noises made the silence seem stronger or more pronounced.

3) D — unexpected.
- “Sudden” in this context implies the twinge of apprehension came without warning.