Question

Read the passage from “Cruel Tribute.”

Years passed by. Every spring when the roses began to bloom seven youths and seven maidens were put on board of a black-sailed ship and sent to Crete to pay the tribute which King Minos required. In every house in Athens there was sorrow and dread, and the people lifted up their hands to Athena on the hilltop and cried out, "How long, O Queen of the Air, how long shall this thing be?"

In the meanwhile the little child at Troezen on the other side of the sea had grown to be a man. His name, Theseus, was in everybody's mouth, for he had done great deeds of daring; and at last he had come to Athens to find his father, King Aegeus, who had never heard whether he was alive or dead; and when the youth had made himself known, the king had welcomed him to his home and all the people were glad because so noble a prince had come to dwell among them and, in time, to rule over their city.

In this excerpt, the sequence of events creates suspense by

- starting the story in the middle of things.
- describing a setting that causes anticipation.
- slowing down the plot to focus on an important character.
- speeding up the plot to move the story forward and build tension.

Answer 1

The sequence of events in the passage from 'Cruel Tribute' creates suspense by starting the story in the middle of things, a technique called in medias res, and introducing the hero Theseus.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the passage from “Cruel Tribute,” the sequence of events creates suspense by starting the story in the middle of things. This technique, known as in medias res, immediately immerses the reader into the action without providing background information first. It generates a sense of mystery and urgency as the audience tries to understand the situation along with unfolding events. Furthermore, the passage introduces the heroic character of Theseus, whose arrival in Athens promises a potential resolution to the city's despair, adding to the suspense as to how he will confront the tributes demanded by King Minos.

Answer 2

Describing a setting that causes anticipation.