Final answer:
The correct answer is 'D) Cyclical,' as a cyclical plot implies that the stages of the plot repeat in a specific pattern or cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
In answering the question 'In a _____ plot, the stages will appear in a certain pattern.' the correct option would be D) Cyclical. A cyclical plot refers to a narrative structure where the events or stages repeat in a particular order or cycle. This stands in contrast to a linear or sequential plot which would unfold in a chronological or progressive order without repetition. In contrast, a random plot would suggest no discernible order or pattern to the events, which is not coherent with the stages appearing in a certain pattern.