A paragraph of long, flowing sentences ends with the short sentence: 'Then the lights went out.' What is the most likely effect?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. It creates a sudden shock and focuses attention on the event
- Step 1: Long sentences set a steady pace.
- Step 2: A sudden short sentence breaks that pace and emphasises the sudden event.
Answer
It creates a sudden shock and focuses attention on the event.
Why not the others: It slows the pace so that the scene feels relaxing and peaceful: a short sentence after long ones speeds up and jolts. It gives the reader background information about the setting: there is no extra information in the sentence. It shows the writer has run out of ideas to describe: a deliberate contrast is a technique, not a lack of ideas.
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