An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge%0D%0Aby Ambrose Bierce%0D%0A%0D%0AHe closed his eyes in order to fix his last thoughts upon his wife and children. The water, touched to gold by the early sun, the brooding mists under the banks at some distance down the stream, the fort, the soldiers, the piece of drift—all had distracted him. And now he became conscious of a new disturbance. Striking through the thought of his dear ones was sound which he could neither ignore nor understand, a sharp, distinct, metallic percussion like the stroke of a blacksmith’s hammer upon the anvil; it had the same ringing quality. He wondered what it was, and whether immeasurably distant or near by— it seemed both. Its recurrence was regular, but as slow as the tolling of a death knell. He awaited each new stroke with impatience and—he knew not why— apprehension. The intervals of silence grew progressively longer; the delays became maddening. With their greater infrequency the sounds increased in strength and sharpness. They hurt his ear like the thrust of a knife; he feared he would shriek. What he heard was the ticking of his watch.%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce%0D%0A%0D%0AQuestion%0D%0AUse the passage below to answer the question.%0D%0A%0D%0AHow does the structure of this passage contribute to the meaning of the text?%0D%0A%0D%0A(1 point)%0D%0AResponses%0D%0A%0D%0ABy using sensory language to emphasize the deterioration of Farquhar’s mental state.%0D%0ABy using sensory language to emphasize the deterioration of Farquhar’s mental state.%0D%0A%0D%0ABy using foreshadowing to hint at a surprise twist at the end of the text.%0D%0ABy using foreshadowing to hint at a surprise twist at the end of the text.%0D%0A%0D%0ABy including symbols to downplay the relevance of time to the plot.%0D%0ABy including symbols to downplay the relevance of time to the plot.%0D%0A%0D%0ABy employing visual imagery to explain the circumstances of Farquhar’s predicament.%0D%0ABy employing visual imagery to explain the circumstances of Farquhar’s predicament.

Answer 1

The best response to how the structure of the passage contributes to the meaning of the text is:

By using sensory language to emphasize the deterioration of Farquhar’s mental state.

This choice is appropriate because the passage employs detailed sensory descriptions, particularly the auditory imagery of the ticking watch, to illustrate Farquhar's increasing anxiety and mental distress as he faces his imminent fate. The imagery enhances the reader's understanding of his psychological state, emphasizing the tension and degradation of his mental clarity in a critical moment.