Question

The lights dimmed without warning.
Chairs scraped against the floor.
A few students shifted in their seats.
No one spoke.
Then the announcement began.


Why might the author choose to place “No one spoke” on its own line


To explain background information



To emphasize the silence



To summarize the passage



To introduce a new setting

Answer 1

To emphasize the silence — placing the short sentence alone draws attention to and heightens the quiet before the announcement.