Question

Excerpt from "A Relay Race to Remember" Typically, Malik would be animated by the hope of such an exciting finish. His relay team was far superior to the Raiders’ relay team, and the Cardinals were expected to win the competition. However, Malik was the anchor for his relay and would have to wait for three other swimmers to finish before diving into the water. He was secretly terrified because he felt that his ankle could snap like an old tree branch at any instant. Question: How does the simile "He felt that his ankle could snap like an old tree branch at any instant" affect the story?

a) It demonstrates the author's attitude toward Malik and Sean because of the tone the author uses to discuss Malik's injury.
b) It raises the tension in the story by making a comparison that conveys the concern Malik feels about the risk of potential injury and loss.
c) It adds to the mood of the story because everyone is so excited that Mailk's team could win the whole competition.
d) It provides more insight into Malik as a character because he doesn't want to let down his team.

Answer 1

The simile regarding Malik's ankle increases the story's tension by conveying his anxiety about a potential injury, making choice (b) the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The simile "He felt that his ankle could snap like an old tree branch at any instant" affects the story by raising the tension. The use of a simile to describe Malik's fear of his ankle snapping adds to the reader's understanding of the character's inner turmoil and the perceived fragility of his condition, heightened by the comparison to an aging and brittle tree branch. This simile allows the reader to feel Malik's intense anxiety about potentially injuring himself, adding depth to his character and creating a sense of apprehension about the outcome of the relay race. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is (b) It raises the tension in the story by making a comparison that conveys the concern Malik feels about the risk of potential injury and loss.