Question

Rainsford held his breath. The general's eyes had left the ground and were traveling inch by inch up the tree. Rainsford froze there, every muscle tensed for a spring. But the sharp eyes of the hunter stopped before they reached the limb where Rainsford lay; a smile spread over his brown face. Very deliberately he blew a smoke ring into the air; then he turned his back on the tree and walked carelessly away, back along the trail he had come. The swish of the underbrush against his hunting boots grew fainter and fainter.

Re-read paragraph 4 of the excerpt. What does Zaroff's actions in this paragraph most likely foreshadow?

A) Zaroff is close to giving up.
B) Zaroff has no idea where Rainsford is.
C) Zaroff knows Rainsford is there.
D) Zaroff is upset that he can't find Rainsford.
E) Zaroff is planning a trap for Rainsford.

Answer 1

Zaroff's behavior of deliberately stopping his gaze and blowing a smoke ring before walking away suggests that he knows Rainsford is nearby, indicating a foreshadowing of future challenges in their encounter.

Step-by-step explanation:

The actions of Zaroff in the provided excerpt lead to the conclusion that the correct answer is C) Zaroff knows Rainsford is there. Zaroff intentionally stopping his gaze just before reaching Rainsford's location and deliberately blowing a smoke ring into the air indicates a level of confidence and control over the situation. Rather than a sign of defeat or ignorance, this behavior suggests that Zaroff is aware of Rainsford's presence and is taunting him, likely foreshadowing future challenges Rainsford will face in this deadly game of cat and mouse.