Final answer:
The excerpt helps determine the story's setting by describing the absence of morning mist, the strong sun, and the presence of potted marigolds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sentence that helps determine the story's setting is: The morning mist was completely gone. The sun was strong and bright, intensifying the color of a row of potted marigolds on the front porch of one of the houses. This sentence provides vivid sensory details that contribute to the readers' understanding of the setting. The absence of morning mist and the strong and bright sun suggest that the scene takes place during the daytime, while the row of potted marigolds adds to the imagery of a residential area or a neighborhood.
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