The author's word choice significantly affects the tone of the passage. Let's break it down based on your observations:
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Adventure and Urgency: Words like "locked," "escaped," "skidded," and "smashed" contribute to an adventurous and urgent tone. The urgency is particularly emphasized by the physical actions described—"skidded" suggests a hasty and desperate movement, while "smashed" indicates an intense frustration. These words create a sense of immediate action and rising tension as the characters try to escape.
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Frustration and Mockery: The use of words like "stubbornly" and "mockingly" adds layers to the tone, suggesting not just frustration but also a sense of futility. The clock that "mockingly" counts down creates an atmosphere of impending doom, making the situation feel even more desperate and heightening the stakes.
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Conflict and Anger: Terms such as "jabbed" and "pounded" evoke feelings of anger and conflict. The choice of these verbs indicates a physical struggle not just against the door, but also against time and their own mistakes. This choice conveys a character's emotional state, amplifying the tension in the scene.
Overall, the author's careful selection of words enhances the emotional impact and immerses the reader in the urgency, frustration, and tension of the escape scenario.