We heard racket about there being mysteries behind these gates, but sauntering up to them ourselves was a whole entire experience. I’m talking classic horror movie stuff—creaky branches, howling wind, ominous clouds covering the sun at just the right time. Wowee, if we were the type of kids to get spooked, we would have been. But me and K.P. just smirked at each other and got ready to explore.

Question

How do the words racket, sauntering, and smirked impact the paragraph’s overall meaning?

a. They imply the narrator wants to impress a friend.

b. They imply the narrator enjoys scary things.

c. They imply the narrator considers the adventure a joke.

d. They imply the narrator is hiding their fear.

Answer 1

The words "racket," "sauntering," and "smirked" contribute to the overall tone and meaning of the paragraph by suggesting that the narrator and K.P. are approaching the spooky situation with a sense of confidence and nonchalance. The use of "racket" indicates that there were rumors or discussions that piqued their interest, while "sauntering" conveys a casual and relaxed attitude towards the ominous setting. "Smirked" implies a sense of amusement or mockery in response to the creepy atmosphere.

Given this analysis, the correct answer is:

c. They imply the narrator considers the adventure a joke.