Question

of the crowd echoing in his ears. His team, the Ridgeview Rockets, was down by one point, and there were only twenty seconds left in the championship game. Coach Wilson had told Jamal to stay calm, but the pressure felt heavier than the ball in his hands. Still, Jamal knew he had practiced for this moment all season.

As Jamal crossed half-court, he saw Maya, the team’s fastest player, dart toward the right corner. She was usually the one who took the final shot, and Jamal trusted her completely. But the Falcons’ defenders were expecting that play—they swarmed Maya before Jamal could pass the ball. Jamal hesitated, unsure of what to do next. The clock kept ticking, and the crowd grew louder as the Rockets’ chances seemed to shrink.

Jamal took a deep breath and scanned the court again. That’s when he noticed Marcus, the team’s newest player, standing wide open near the free-throw line. Marcus had struggled earlier in the season, but he had been working hard during practice, staying late to improve his shooting form. Jamal knew passing to Marcus was a risk, but he also knew it might be their only chance. With five seconds left, he made the decision—he fired the ball to Marcus.

Marcus caught the pass, squared his shoulders, and released the shot just as the buzzer sounded. The ball arced through the air in perfect silence, as though the entire gym were holding its breath. When it swished through the net, the crowd exploded with cheers. Jamal and the rest of the team rushed toward Marcus, lifting him into the air. The risky pass had paid off, and the Rockets were champions at last.


What is the main purpose of the final paragraph in the passage’s overall structure?

A.
To resolve the main conflict by revealing the outcome of the shot

B.
To show how the characters train for future games

C.
To introduce a new conflict for the next game

D.
To describe a completely different event

Answer 1

A. To resolve the main conflict by revealing the outcome of the shot

The final paragraph shows the shot's result and the team's victory, resolving the tension built earlier.