How does the author build tension at the beginning of the story?

Question

Responses
A by indicating how Tessie’s mom feels about Tessieby indicating how Tessie’s mom feels about Tessie
B by showing what Tessie goes through every morningby showing what Tessie goes through every morning
C by highlighting Tessie’s struggle to get up one morningby highlighting Tessie’s struggle to get up one morning
D by illustrating Tessie’s pain despite a comfortable lifeby illustrating Tessie’s pain despite a comfortable life

Answer 1

To determine how the author builds tension at the beginning of the story, we should consider the options provided in relation to the character of Tessie and her circumstances.

Option A focuses on Tessie's mother's feelings, which may not directly create tension related to Tessie's situation.

Option B describes Tessie's morning routine, which could indicate the structure of her day but may not inherently build tension.

Option C points out Tessie's struggle to get up, which suggests an internal conflict that can create a sense of tension, as it hints at her reluctance or anxiety.

Option D highlights Tessie’s pain despite her comfortable life, which can evoke empathy and raise questions about her circumstances, contributing to tension.

Considering these interpretations, the best option that illustrates how tension is built at the beginning of the story seems to be C: by highlighting Tessie’s struggle to get up one morning. This focuses on the character's immediate struggle, generating an emotional response that sets the stage for further conflict.