What does the word 'padding' suggest about the long descriptions?
In her second novel, Imogen Reyes invites us into a town where every plant is mechanical and every gardener is a little afraid. The premise is clever, and the first third of the book moves quickly. Unfortunately, once the central mystery is introduced, the story slows to a crawl. Long descriptions of brass petals begin to feel like padding, and the heroine, Tilly, spends so many chapters thinking about what she might do that she hardly does anything. Yet the final chapter is a small marvel, and it almost redeems what came before. Readers with patience will find a worthwhile ending; others may close the book long before it arrives.
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. They fill space and add little to the plot.
Answer: fill space without adding importance. Why not the others: The reviewer does not say they protect, comfort or deepen the characters.
- Step 1: Padding is material added to fill a space.
- Step 2: The reviewer feels the descriptions do not move the story.
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