Question

Read the passage.

Isaac glared at the clock on his desk as he waited for the phone call that would change his life—he wasn’t sure if the change would be for the better or the worse, but he knew that his life was going to change. It was an old clock that had belonged to his grandmother. Usually the quiet, dependable sound of the seconds ticking by comforted him, if he noticed them at all. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Today, it occurred to him that the clock was mocking him. Tick-tock. Tock-tick. Tock-tock. "I wonder if Jenny wants this clock. . . .” His thought was interrupted by the sound of the phone ringing.

Which statement best describes the author’s use of a stylistic element in this excerpt?

A. The em dash indicates a shift in Isaac’s mood.
B. The change in the second description of the clock’s sounds emphasizes Isaac’s unease.
C. The ellipsis suggests that Isaac cannot concentrate.
D. The quotation marks indicating Isaac’s thoughts emphasize his uncertainty about the future.

Answer 1

The best description of the author’s use of a stylistic element is the change in the description of the clock’s sounds, emphasizing Isaac’s unease.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that best describes the author’s use of a stylistic element in this excerpt is: B. The change in the second description of the clock’s sounds emphasizes Isaac’s unease. This is evidenced by the shift from the comforting and steady “Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock.” to an irregular and unsettling “Tick-tock. Tock-tick. Tock-tock.” The alteration reflects Isaac’s growing anxiety and distorts the familiar sound into something that contributes to his discomfort. The other options, while they are valid stylistic elements, do not capture the primary effect that the author achieves through the change in the clock’s ticking sound.